waking up with my nemesis' baby novel

me to take last month ?" Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Roderick , arriving just in time to hear this , felt a sharp pang in his chest . Edward , with a smug glance at Roderick , unfastened the cufflinks and tossed them at Madeleine's feet . They hit the ground with a sharp , metallic clink . She didn't react in time . The cufflinks hit the ground with a sharp clatter, the metallic sound echoing . Edward leaned in close , his voice dripping with mockery . " Don't bother with gifts next time . Your taste only cheapens my style . " He turned his head , throwing a provocative glance at Roderick .

" Your husband seems to like them , though . Funny how he's always chasing what I discard . " Madeleine's eyes flicked to the cufflinks on the ground , then snapped up at Edward's words . Her heart lurched . He was humiliating Roderick . Her heart skipped in alarm . She knew Roderick's temper - hot Chapter 19 and reckless . Back in middle school , he'd nearly put a kid in the hospital over some photos snapped without his consent . Owen had punished him harshly for it , but that never changed his nature . She couldn't let Roderick lose it now .

If he threw a punch , Edward would milk the drama for all it was worth . Without thinking , Madeleine shoved Edward back , her voice fierce . " What the hell are you talking about ? You'd better watch your mouth . Talk about my husband like that again , and I swear I'll knock some sense into you ! " Edward froze , stunned . Roderick , who'd been listening nearby , was equally floored . Both men stared at Madeleine , their disbelief palpable . She was ... different today . Caught off guard , Edward stumbled back from her push , his face a mask of shock , his composure crumbling .

Chapter 19 This woman was insane . When he didn't respond , Madeleine raised her fist , doubling down on her bravado . " You gonna leave , or what ? " Roderick , who'd been simmering with anger , felt his tension ease , a grin tugging at his lips . For a moment , he felt like the guy being shielded by his fierce wife , and it was oddly ... comforting . Edward , clearly stung by the blow to his pride , let out a cold laugh . " Fine , Madeleine . If this is how you want to play it , don't come crying when it backfires . " He stormed off , his frustration crackling in the air .

Madeleine's raised fist finally dropped , her shoulders relaxing . Roderick started to say something , but then he saw her crouch down , her brow furrowed as she picked up the cufflinks from the floor . His heart sank . He stopped mid - step . To Roderick , it was clear Madeleine still cared about Edward . Chapter 19 He felt foolish , clinging to a fleeting hope that their argument meant something more . He realized maybe she'd only stepped in to keep him from hurting Edward, staging a performance to protect her old flame .

In the end , the one who loved without being loved back was always the fool . Roderick gave a bitter smile , his fists clenching , then slowly loosening . Madeleine stood , holding the cufflinks , her eyes sparkling as she turned to him . " Ricki , these are Cartier cufflinks . They're worth a fortune . Know anyone who deals in luxury resale ? " Roderick gazed into Madeleine's sparkling eyes , his throat tightening as words failed him . Suddenly , he reached out , pressing the back of his hand to her forehead . " What are you doing ?

" Madeleine swatted his hand away , her tone laced with playful Chapter 19 annoyance . She wasn't feverish , nor had she lost her wits . Her eyes , far from betraying any hint of heartbreak over Edward's discarded gift , gleamed with the thrill of someone who'd just stumbled upon a windfall . Roderick hadn't seen that look on her face since Madeleine was a teenager . A thought flickered in his mind , hesitant but persistent . " Could it be ... " Is she really amnesic ? " " Madeleine , " he ventured cautiously . " What's up ? " she replied , her voice light and curious .

" What was the SAT essay topic ? " " Hmm , let me think . " Madeleine paused , her mind drifting back to the test she'd taken not long ago . " Something about ' connection ,' I think . " " And the last math question - what type was it ? " Chapter 19 " Algebra . " Her answers were quick and confident . Madeleine blinked at him , realization dawning as she caught the purpose behind his questions . Roderick lowered his gaze , pulling out his phone to check the 2017 Valenburg SAT questions . Her responses matched perfectly . Her memory , it seemed , was frozen at eighteen .

His expression shifted , a storm of emotions swirling beneath the surface , but he kept silent . Madeleine scratched her head , puzzled . " Roderick , why do I feel like you're ... different somehow ? " " Me ? " Roderick tucked away his thoughts , his brow furrowing as he met her gaze . He could've asked her the same thing . " Yeah ," she said , starting to walk back . " You seem ... calmer, you know ? Back in the day , your temper was like a firecracker . We'd bicker three times a day , easy .

" Chapter 19 She rambled on , her voice tinged with nostalgia as she brought up that infamous middle school fight . 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.