My eyes are wide, and my breathing is ragged in anticipation of what Madison will say. For once, her usual unflappable exterior is one of sheer panic. Madison repeatedly twists her hands, intertwining her fingers over and over in front of her chest as though her mind is desperately trying to think of the right words to say to appease her son.

While I study her reddening cheeks, along with her failure to immediately talk her way out of the situation, I know that Daniel has no idea about the pre-nuptial agreement that she wants me to sign. Although I would happily sign anything that proves I'm not interested in Daniel's wealth, I cannot help but feel relief flood through my veins that he hasn't been liaising with his mother and their lawyers behind my back.

Turning towards Daniel, I see that he makes no attempt to open the envelope. His lips are pursed while he slowly sits down next to me. He never takes his eyes off Madison, waiting patiently for her to explain herself.

My heart pounds so loudly in my ears, I feel as though they both should be able to hear it. Every fibre inside me wants to end the silence, and spare Daniel from the pain he is about to experience when he understands the level of Madison's control and manipulation. But, I keep my mouth closed because I don't have the energy to continue to run the gauntlet of shielding Daniel while Madison revels in every opportunity to belittle me and our relationship.

"What's in the envelope? What am I supposed to know? Mom, please explain what's going on?" Daniel suddenly looks like a lost little boy. His brow is deeply furrowed in confusion, but when he looks at Madison, although he's angry, there is still hope in his eyes that his Mom is on his side.

"You need to understand... my darling... everything I do is to... to... protect you." She stutters uncharacteristically as though every word is causing her physical pain.

"Protect me from what?" His tone is perfectly calm. But knowing Daniel, I imagine that his mind is whirling underneath his cool facade.

"From... her." Madison flicks her head towards me.

My body stiffens in response to the venom in her words, but I refuse to rise to the bait. If I react emotionally now, I know her crocodile tears will only cloud Daniel's view of the situation. He needs to see her for what she is, so I remain silent.

"From who?" Daniel asks bitterly, clearly not acknowledging the fact that Madison has only referred to me as her.

"Lizzie... oh, Daniel... you have to understand. She has trapped you! Her getting pregnant was no accident, she knew that after you had been nearly murdered that it was likely you would move on with your life... that you wouldn't want her anymore. You nearly died because of her!" Madison rants like she is possessed.

Daniel scrunches his eyes tightly closed, clearly distraught by Madison's vicious words. He swiftly rubs his hands down his face, and I watch the colour drain from his face. "You want to know something crazy?"

His eerily calm tone surprises Madison. "Daniel, my darling boy! I am the only person you can trust! She has you blindsided and she will take you for every penny you have ever earned, just like Lucy tried-"

Daniel cuts her off by slamming the envelope down on the coffee table. The noise echoes around the room making me exhale a loud gasp of shock. Daniel briefly looks towards me before reaching across to gently stroke my cheek. His attention then returns to Madison who remains frozen to the spot. "Don't you ever compare Lizzie to Lucy again. Do you hear me?"

"Please just listen-" Madison begins to talk again.

"Did you hear me?" He shouts.

Madison nods silently.

"As you're ignoring my questions, I'll tell you what is crazy! All my life I've strived for your attention... for your approval... for your affection. But, nothing I did was ever good enough... not until my first big movie. Even when the big paycheques were rolling in, you always had an angle, an agenda. But, I was so happy that I finally had your attention... so, I gave you everything you asked of me." Daniel's voice wobbles slightly making him pause to compose himself. My heart feels like it's literally breaking for him. "But, the reality was that I was blind... to you! I knew it... in my heart."

Madison strides towards Daniel and kneels before him on the sofa, tears free flowing down her face leaving tracks in her make up. I'm not sure whether they're really genuine or not. "Daniel, I have never had an agenda or anything! I'm the only person in this world you can rely on. I'm your mother and I'm here to protect you."

Immediately, he stands to move away from her and begins to pace the room. "I honestly thought that for once you had my interests at heart with planning the wedding to the woman I love and the mother of my children! That you wanted to do something for me! To put yourself out for me for the first time in my entire life! But, it's all just a lie. Again, I've tried to see the good in you... and again, you've put your needs, your social standing and your reputation before me, before Lizzie and before your own grandchildren!"

"Daniel-" Madison sobs.

"Stop!" He shrieks before taking a breath and continuing to speak more calmly. "Just answer the question. What is in the envelope?"

"A prenuptial agreement." Madison whispers into her hands before standing up to face Daniel.

Daniel bellows with humourless laughter. "Shit!" He exclaims loudly before reaching for the envelope. He quickly reads the document before aggressively tearing it up. "Nice to see your in there, Mom, as an equal beneficiary alongside my children. You are unbelievable! It's what it's always been about... money." His tone is completely emotionless. He then turns towards me. "Lizzie, the wedding that Mom has basically bullied your Mom into planning, is it really what you want?"

I shake my head softly. "No, I just wanted something quick and quiet." I practically whisper.

"Oh baby, I know you did! It's what you've told me repeatedly, and I allowed it to spiral beyond what either of us really want or need because I wanted to keep my Mom happy. I'm so sorry." He reaches for me, and I allow him to pull me up from the sofa.

I wrap my arms around him. "You don't have to be sorry, Daniel. We're both guilty of letting things get out of hand."

Daniel kisses the top of my head before returning his attention to Madison. "Get out of our house. I'm done... I can't even begin to understand you."

"No!" She squeals. "Please. I only had your best interests at heart!"

Daniel shakes his head almost violently. "Lizzie, what did my Mom say to you in the hospital? I know there's more to your reaction when the subject has come up, so now I need you to tell me!"

"Daniel, don't! It was months ago and it's only going to make things worse." I plead desperately, knowing no good will come from him being hurt even more.

"I only did what any other mother would have done in the same situation." She speaks with a confident tone as though she genuinely believes what she is saying.

"Madison offered me money to leave you before you woke up." I say quietly, but with confidence. "She also questioned why you had changed your will. I told her if the worst happened to you, then she could still have all your money. I don't want it."

Daniel rubs his hands through his hair, but looks eerily calm. Madison opens her mouth to speak, but Daniel abruptly cuts her off with a sharp stare. "Listen closely, Mom because this is probably the last time I'll ever want to see you. Before I met Lizzie, I was lost... I mean truly lost. Then once she was in my life, she grounded me and showed me that material things didn't matter. I'd never had that before, everything was material with both you and Lucy. I fell in love, real love for the first time in my life and I wanted her to be my wife long before Georgia Marsloe reentered my life. Lizzie was pregnant before Georgia tried to kill me, it wasn't some trap set for me! Allow me to set the record straight before you leave... Lizzie is the only person in the world I can count on, she completes me. How dare you have behaved like this towards her... I... I... I need you to leave, now... before I say something I will really regret."

"Daniel-" Madison begins.

"Please, just go..." Daniel turns his back on Madison, leaving me standing between them both.

Silently, Madison nods. Before she leaves the room, she turns to look at me. Her glare is so cold it could freeze the fires of hell.

"Let me show you out." My Mom instructs from the hallway, taking Madison's arm and leading her to the front door without giving Madison the opportunity of stalling.

Daniel sits heavily in the chair, and I rush over to him to sit next to him. I feel his shoulders begin to shake while he cries. He lowers his head into my lap, and I hold him tightly, feeling his cropped hair beneath my fingers.

Mom reaches into the living room quietly and closes the door with a sad smile.  "Thank you," I mouth to her, feeling grateful for the privacy.

- hey guys!

Eeeekkkk... what did you think of this chapter?

How do you think Daniel handled it?

I know Lizzie didn't say much to defend herself, but she wanted Daniel to see Madison for what she is without Lizzie clouding his judgment!

I cannot wait to hear what you think!

Thank you so much for still reading and please tick the little star too. Love T x -