Page 220 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“You should be ashamed of yourself,” Matt wanted it known how deplorable her actions were. “No matter what mistakes I made,” He shook his head again. “You should have come to me the moment youknew for certain. I am disappointed in you, Madison.”

Distress and shame flickered over her face before a look of pure outrage settled in. She took a deep breath, mouth tightening into an angry line as she lifted her chin and sent Dante a vitriolic side-long glance. Her shoulders lowered as she exhaled slowly and smoothed all emotions from her face. It was impressive, the serene façade she now wore, and eerily similar to his mother’s when she was pushed past endurance but determined to maintain the required etiquette.

“Duly noted,” she said with a pleasant smile while unclenching her recently formed fists. “We’ll discuss our options in the morning.” Madi gestured to her front door. “Goodbye, Matthew.”

Not wanting to leave, but having no other choice, Matt headed for the door. With one more threatening look he left her property and hurried to his car. In a state of shock he drove away on auto-pilot, unable to fully process the unexpected turn of events. When he had called her earlier on in the day, it had been to plead his case and convince her to meet him. Since discovering Louisa’s treachery last week – Matt’s fingers curled around the steering wheel in anger. The bitch had ruined his marriage.

He huffed loudly, easing his grip on the wheel and taking a moment to try and calm down. In that moment his conscience decided to make an unwelcomed appearance, reminding him of his own role in the demise of his marriage.

The colossal failure to trust his wife, irrespective of Louisa’s actions, was the cause of his marriage’s breakdown. Matt should have trusted his wife. What sin had she ever committed to be undeserving of his complete trust? None, and he should have never doubted her. There was, of course, his secret envy of her unbreakable bond with Dante; which was down to his own character flaw and not something she should have been penalized for. And the McGregor incident, but Madison was soft-hearted and naïve when it came to people she considered friends. Matt snorted in derision. Naïve? Soft-hearted? Yet she had deliberately misled him for months.

He was going to be a father. The thought alone was enough to give him pause. It was indescribable, the mixture of joy and fear waging a battle inside him. He was going to be afather, of two not just one!

“Bollocks.” Matt mumbled as he remembered Madi’s facial expressions when he laid into her.

How could he possibly blame her for choosing to leave him in the dark? He had no bloody right to rail at her like he did. After everything he put her through…it was understandable she would be terrified of confiding in him. Matt pinched his nose bridge, grimacing over his continued appalling behaviour. Had he not been wrapped up in his self-righteous indignation, he would have understood then what was becoming crystal clear to him now. She was scared.

Swearing under his breath some more, he carefully checked his mirrors before risking an illegal U-turn. Right. Their marriage was over, but he’d be damned if he cocked up fatherhood. The return trip to her house was completed in record time and he absent-mindedly locked his vehicle before hurrying up the path to her front door. After pressing the doorbell twice, the door swung open to reveal a very harassed looking Dante. Matt could immediately tell the man’s previous neutrality was gone. The hard stare currently directed his way was eloquent.

“What do you want?” Dante growled from behind the half-opened door.

“To speak to Madi.” Matt replied quickly as he purposely step forward and nudged the door open further. Dante bit his lip then stepped back to allow his entrance.

A yell came from the top of the stairs. “Is it the taxi? You tell him wait. You stupid idiot. I never should have listened to you! We aredone.This is why I didn’t – I’ll be down in a minute.”

Matt arched an eyebrow as he entered the house and closed the door behind him.

Dante folded his arms, scowling at everything in view, especially Matt. “She’s upset.”

There were numerous thuds and bangs above their heads upstairs.

“Bloody stupid man! Matthew bloody Bradley, oh how I hate his stupid stubble.” came right before a stuffed overnight bag was thrown down the staircase.

What on earth was she doing?And why was she babbling about his stubble? A burst of unease steadily filled his frame and Matt turned to Dante while self-consciously rubbing his smooth shaven chin. He didn’t have any stubble.

“I told you he would do this. Didn’t I say he would take them away? You’re a douche and you give stupid, douchey advice.” she yelled from the top of the stairs. “And I know ‘douchey’ is not a realword.”

Dante unfolded his arms and sighed softly. “She believes you’re going to take her kids away.”

Matt froze, then passed a shaking hand over his face.

“Are you?” Dante puffed up his chest and rounded on Matt.

“No,” Matt murmured before he stated firmly, “I would never do that.”

Another harsh tirade floated down the stairs from her. “Now I have to go on the run! You are such a stupid man, Dante Palmer.” Her voice slipped into a falsetto tone. ‘Oh, you should tell him, Madi,it’s wrong to keep it from him. Stop being a coward.’ Ha! Now I have to go into hiding. I can’t find my British passport. Shit.”

Dante wandered over to the sofa and sat down then said, “She hates me right now, and I don’t blame her. I pressured her to tell you the truth and now she’s stressed because you said…it’s a mess.”

Matt went over to take a seat on the opposite arm chair. “Thank you. Thank you for-”

“I didn’t do it for you.” Dante interrupted tartly. “I did it for her, for them. She shouldn’t have any more regrets, she deserves better.”

“You’re going to have to run the company in my absence,” She was coming down the stairs. The dull, thumping sound of a suitcase accompanied her steps. “But we’re finished, you and I. Can you search for my British passport and mail it to me? I’ll use the American one to fly – oh.”

Matt and Dante both stood up.

“Hello,” Matt tried to smile at her crestfallen expression, but he couldn’t manage one. She was trying to run from him.

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