waking up with my nemesis' baby novel

" I mean , come on , the guy just took your picture . Did you have to go that hard ? " That made you like a bully , you know . " She wrinkled her nose , then quickly added , turning to him with a grin , " I mean back then , okay ? " You're not nearly as insufferable now . " Roderick paused , sifting through faded memories . It wasn't easy to dig up the past like that . After a moment , he said carefully , " You still don't know what those guys were photographing , do you ? " Madeleine stopped in her tracks . " Wasn't it just you ? " Roderick's brow creased . " They took pictures ...

under your skirt . " Chapter 20 " What ? " Madeleine's voice spiked , her mind reeling . Under her skirt ? That kid had been snapping photos of that ? And Roderick had fought him over it ? " Why didn't you tell me ? " she demanded , her cheeks flushing with indignation . " You let me think you were just some hotheaded bully ! " Roderick shot her a sidelong glance . " I did tell you . You were asleep . Didn't hear a word . " " Oh . " Madeleine blinked , momentarily stumped . The sudden truth hit her like a splash of cold water - she'd misjudged him , and now a twinge of guilt crept in .

Rubbing her nose awkwardly , she mumbled , " Well , I was young , okay ? Kids always sleep like a rock . Totally normal . ' Eager to move past the embarrassment , she flashed a cheeky grin . " Didn't peg you for such a stand - up guy , though . Tell you what- when we sell these cufflinks , I'll split the cash with you . Deal ? " Roderick's expression didn't budge . " I'm the one who paid for Chapter 20 them . " Madeleine's grin faltered , the air growing thick with awkwardness . This conversation was going nowhere fast . Forcing a laugh that sounded more like a cough , she pivoted .

" Nice weather today , huh ? Oh , where's our kid ? I should check if he's eating properly . " She darted past Roderick , her movements quick and evasive . He turned , watching her scurry off , and a soft smile tugged at his lips before he could stop it . It wasn't until moments later that he realized he'd been smiling -truly smiling , from somewhere deep inside . He touched his mouth , startled . He could hardly remember the last time he had felt that kind of warmth . The matter of Edward and the cufflinks was silently buried . Neither of them brought it up again .

After a bit more wandering , the family of three headed to the Chapter 20 grand theater for a performance . When Madeleine saw her childhood idol , Annabelle , take the stage , her eyes welled up . Eight years had passed . Annabelle , once a bold , youthful swan , had transformed into a poised , elegant goddess of ballet . Madeleine watched , her heart twisting as she thought of herself . How could she have given up her own ballet dreams ? She'd spent countless nights imagining herself on a stage like this , spinning under the spotlight , weightless and free , just like Annabelle .

As the performance ended , the audience erupted in applause . Madeleine's emotions broke free . Covering her face , she slipped away to the bathroom , her chest tight with unshed tears . " Daddy . " Kevin tugged at Roderick's hand , his small face etched with Chapter 20 worry . " Is Mommy okay ? " Roderick's brow furrowed , but he said nothing . He'd seen the shift in Madeleine's eyes - regret , frustration , longing . It had to be the ballet . Back then , no matter how others had urged her , she'd been adamant about quitting the stage . They'd fought bitterly over it once .

She'd snapped at him , told him he had no right to meddle . His fist clenched , and a pang of regret hit him . Maybe he should've pushed harder and forced her to keep dancing . He felt that if he had , she wouldn't have looked so heartbroken just now . But Madeleine's moods were like summer storms - fierce but fleeting . By the time she emerged from the bathroom , she was her radiant self again , a little sunbeam breaking through the clouds . Catching Roderick and Kevin's worried glances , she fanned Chapter 20 herself with her hand , laughing lightly. " That's my idol since forever .

Her dancing - it's just magic . If I could dance half as well as her , I'd be thrilled ." Roderick hesitated , then said clumsily , " You dance better than she does . " Madeleine's eyes widened , disbelief flickering across her face . Roderick , of all people , dishing out compliments ? The same guy who'd been sharp - tongued since they were kids ? " Mommy , you dance too ? " Kevin piped up , his voice bright with curiosity . Madeleine's smile turned bittersweet . She took his hand , leading him toward the exit . 0 " Yeah , I used to . Haven't in a while , though .

Next time , I'll dance for you , okay ? " " Yay ! " Kevin's enthusiasm was infectious , his innocent grin wiping away the last of her melancholy . " Kids , " she thought , " are just too adorable . " One look at her son's beaming face , and her heavy heart lifted . Chapter 20 She'd lost eight years , sure . But she had so many more ahead . She'd live them vibrantly , she promised herself . 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.