Maddie sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone. The social media frenzy that had consumed her yesterday was now eerily silent. Every scathing post, every cruel comment and even the leaked photo were gone, wiped clean as if they had never existed.
But Maddie knew this wasn’t Rico’s doing. This time, the one standing behind her wasn’t the man she had spent years trusting—it was her sister.
"Thank you," Maddie texted, her fingers trembling.
A moment later, she sent another message to her mom: [Don’t worry about me too much. Once I’m back in Haichester, I’ll let you introduce me to someone new.]
Her mother’s reply came almost instantly: [Alright, sweetheart. Mom is counting down the days until you’re home.]
The image of her mother waiting by her phone, anxious for a response, made Maddie’s eyes sting. This was what she had been missing all along—a sense of family, love without conditions, a place where she was wanted.
***
Maddie was about to reply to Lucy when her phone buzzed with an incoming call.
“Maddie! You scared me half to death,” Lucy exclaimed, her tone frantic. “Why didn’t you answer my messages? I thought something had happened to you!”
“What could possibly happen to me?” Maddie replied with forced lightness, trying to put her friend at ease.
“Well, Rico took down the hot search, didn’t he? That must mean something. You’re not as upset now, right?”
Maddie hesitated, her voice softening. “Lucy, it wasn’t Rico. It was my sister who handled it. And honestly, I’ve stopped caring about Rico. I’m getting ready to go home.”
The words barely left her mouth when a knock came at the door.
“Maddie, breakfast is ready,” Rico’s voice called from the other side.
Her heart jolted. She had slept so deeply the night before that she hadn’t heard him return. Panicking, she quickly ended the call with Lucy and opened the door.
***
Rico stood outside, dressed casually in his pajamas. His dark hair was tousled and his expression was unreadable.
“You said you’re going home?” he asked, his tone sharp.
Maddie’s mind raced. “You misheard,” she said quickly. “It was Lucy who’s going home.”
Before Rico could press further, a soft voice floated in from the kitchen.
“Rico, has Maddie gotten up yet? Breakfast is ready!”
Jane appeared, balancing a plate in her hands, wearing Rico’s shirt from the night before. She beamed at Maddie as though the previous day’s chaos had never happened.
“Good morning, Maddie!”
Maddie bit back a bitter retort. “You two enjoy. I’m not hungry.” She turned to close the door, but Rico grabbed her arm.
“Don’t be rude,” he said, frowning. “Jane worked so hard to make breakfast despite her burned foot. She even woke up early to cook for you and you won’t eat?”
***
A laugh burst from Maddie’s lips—sharp, bitter and uncontrollable. The emotions she had buried for so long finally erupted, spilling out in a flood of anger and heartbreak.
“Rude? You’re calling me rude?” Her voice trembled, but it was steady enough to cut through the air. “Rico, it was Jane who bumped into me yesterday. But you didn’t even care to ask what happened. You blamed me—me! And now you’re talking about her burned foot? Did you know I had to get stitches? Did you know I needed a tetanus shot? Of course not. You didn’t even notice!”
Rico froze, his eyes dropping to her feet. For the first time, he noticed the thick gauze wrapped around her right foot. Maddie was barefoot, standing on the cold floor and tears fell silently, splashing against the ground.
“I didn’t know…” he murmured, his voice tinged with guilt. He moved as if to crouch down and examine her injury, but Jane quickly intervened.
“I’m so sorry!” Jane’s voice quivered with practiced regret. She stepped beside Rico, her face a picture of remorse. “I had no idea you were hurt. I didn’t mean to bump into you yesterday—I swear!”
Maddie’s jaw clenched as she watched Jane’s theatrics. The sweet, apologetic tone was for Rico’s benefit, not hers.
***
Maddie’s chest heaved as she took a step back, leaning against the doorframe for support. “Save it, Jane,” she said coldly, her voice sharp enough to slice through the air. “You’ve done enough.”
Rico glanced between the two women, conflicted. “Maddie, she didn’t mean any harm—”
“No, Rico.” Maddie’s voice cracked, but she held his gaze. “You didn’t mean any harm either, right? But every time Jane hurts me, you’re the first to defend her. Every time I need you, you’re too busy. Do you know what that feels like?”
He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out.
“I’m done,” Maddie whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’m done waiting for you to care.”
