Finn never wanted me at these events . Said I might cause " unnecessary misunderstandings . " So I always let Madeline , his precious first love , show up with our son Henry , while I stayed home like a ghost . But this time ? I wasn't gonna be invisible . " Yes , I'll be there , " I said , cool and firm . " As Finn's wife . " Leo stammered . " Alright … I'll , uh , inform Mr. Gallagher . " " Don't bother . I don't need permission to show up at my husband's event . I'm a Carter . I have every right to be there " " Of course , ma'am . " I hung up . The night of the event , I wore a white cocktail dress , simple , elegant , expensive . Chapter 5 +25 BONUS I walked in with my chin up . But the second I stepped inside , my stomach dropped . Madeline was already there . And she was wearing the exact same color , same style . White , short , tasteful . Finn noticed too . He frowned and muttered something to Leo , who ran off . Minutes later , Leo returned with a floral red shawl and carefully draped it over Madeline's shoulders . Guests nearby started whispering . " Wow , Mr. Gallagher's always looking out for her . Did you see how he looked at her last time ? Like he wanted to eat her alive . " " Wait , isn't that his wife over there ? The one in white too ? " " You sure ? I thought the one with the kid was the wife . " " Nah , word is the woman in white's just some side piece . Finn's real woman is Madeline ; they've known each other forever . " " Damn shame . She and Finn make a perfect couple . " A man nearby leaned toward them and whispered , not very subtly , " Shh , that's Mrs. Gallagher . For real . But look at her , wearing the same thing as the mistress … and Finn's not even looking at her . " My face burned . I clenched my fists so tight my nails dug into my palms . What was I doing here ? Setting myself up for another round of humiliation ? Just to prove I still mattered ? I was about to leave when I spotted Henry , my son , climbing up the staircase railing like it was a jungle gym . He was sliding down the handrail like a damn playground . My heart stopped . Finn was busy charming donors . Madeline was laughing with the mayor's wife . No one was watching him . " Henry ! " I shouted . He froze when he saw me , his little face going pale . He tried to jump off and walk away , but his foot slipped . Time slowed . He lost his grip . He started falling . Below him , there was a huge floor display . Crystal vases , iron sculptures , some twisted modern art centerpiece with sharp metal points sticking out like blades . If he hit that … I didn't think I just moved . I reached for him , grabbing his arm mid - fall My other hand caught the railing , hard . My shoulder nearly popped . My legs dangled , but I held on Barely . Gasps filled the room . Madeline screamed Henry's name . She ran toward the display and started yanking pieces away , dramatically flinching as one of the sharp edges pricked her hand . A drop of blood A performance . Then Finn moved . Fast Strong Effortless . He reached us in seconds , scooped Henry up with one arm like it was nothing . Henry burst into tears and clung to him . Finn didn't even care about me . 203 Chapter 5 +25 BONUS He just turned to me and snapped , " Why can't you keep an eye on your own kid ? " I was still hanging off the railing . Still shaking . Still catching my breath . My fingers were burning , my shoulder felt wrecked . But all he saw was Madeline bleeding and Henry crying . He wrapped his coat around Madeline and led her out of the hall , not sparing me a second glance . I held on a few seconds longer , then let go . I fell . Hard . The decoration had been cleared , but I hit the ground flat . My back screamed . The lights above me blurred . Then everything went black . 373