waking up with my nemesis' baby novel

Chapter 18 She quickly turned her gaze away . Under Edward's startled stare , she tilted her head as if she hadn't seen him at all and walked right past . " Madeleine . " Edward's voice , sharp and edged with a frown , stopped her in her tracks . He'd followed her deliberately , driven by a nagging need to figure out what this woman was playing at . When he'd spotted her emerging from the bathroom , he'd braced himself for her to rush toward him , all clingy and eager , just like she'd been for years .

But before he could prepare himself , Madeleine shot him a withering glance and walked off without a backward glance . It was a first . And Edward wasn't used to being ignored like that . " What game are you playing ? " His tone dripped with irritation , Chapter 18 his patience fraying . That little scene had been ... bizarre . Madeleine stopped , bewildered by his accusation . She turned , sizing him up with a cool , appraising look . " And you are ... who , exactly ? Do we know each other ? " Edward's temper , which had been simmering , sputtered out in an instant .

For a split second , Edward almost looked at a loss . It took him a beat to recover , his eyes narrowing as he regained his composure . " What , playing hard to get now ? Cute . Did you drag your husband here just to see if I'd get jealous ? " Edward let out a derisive chuckle . " Still the same self - important brat you were as a kid . Annoying as ever . " Madeleine froze , a flicker of shock crossing her face . She'd meant to walk away , but his words sparked something in her , a need to push back . " As a kid ? " She found his claim almost ridiculous . Her fists clenched tight .

Chapter 18 She shot back , her voice laced with defiance , " You mean the kid who kept you from starving ? The one who sent you money every month so you wouldn't be stuck toiling away in that dirt- poor little town ? " Edward's lip curled into a sneer . " That's exactly it - your smug , superior attitude . It's insufferable , Madeleine . What , you think you're some kind of savior ? " He took a step closer , his towering frame casting a shadow that enveloped her , his presence heavy with an intimidating edge that stole her voice for a moment .

His tone dropped , low and dangerous , laced with years of pent- up resentment . " Sure , your family funded me . But don't kid yourself - it wasn't out of the goodness of your heart . Your dad used me as a shiny badge for his ' philanthropist ' act . And you ... " He gave a cold , mocking laugh , his lips twisting into a smirk . " You got off on the power trip , didn't you ? The thrill of tossing scraps to someone beneath you ." Madeleine's eyes trembled , her fingers clenching so tightly her Chapter 18 knuckles whitened .

She hadn't expected this - that he'd seen her kindness as something so ugly . " Back in high school , " Edward went on , his voice biting , " you made a big show of handing me that scholarship money in front of the entire school , preaching about how I shouldn't waste your family's generosity ." He scoffed, his eyes glinting with disdain . " Bet you loved the spotlight , didn't you ? " Madeleine's mind reeled , yanked back to their high school days . She'd been the one to convince her father to bring Edward to their city , to give him a chance at a better school .

It was her first time meeting one of her family's sponsored students . He'd been quiet , withdrawn , always in that faded , threadbare uniform . Yes , she'd given him the scholarship money in front of everyone . But it had never crossed her mind that the gesture would fester in his heart for so long , turning into this bitter wound . Edward raised an eyebrow , his face radiating a cocky , defiant Chapter 18 confidence . " Sorry to disappoint , but I'm not some toy for you rich folks to play with . I've got my own mind , my own will .

" He leaned in slightly , his voice dropping to a venomous whisper . " People like you never care about the little guy's struggles . But when one of us rises up , you're quick to dangle your so - called ' favors ' to keep us in line . " Madeleine stared at him , her lips pressed into a tight line, her fists so clenched they ached . After a long pause , she spoke , her voice icy . " And how are you any different from the ' high and mighty ' people you claim to despise ? " Edward's raised brow faltered , his smug expression wavering .

He looked down at her , momentarily lost , before letting out a soft , dismissive huff . " So that's your new angle , huh ? Trying to tear me down by bringing up the past ? Dream on , Madeleine . I'll never fall for you . " He turned to leave , but his eyes caught Roderick approaching , Chapter Th and a sly glint sparked in them . He changed his mind , pausing with a smirk . " Remember these cufflinks ? " He raised his wrist , letting the light catch the polished metal .

" The ones you practically begged Cedella Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella's storytelling style is immersive and addictive-perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.