An Orphanage Friendship Built on Forever, Shattered in a MomentChapter 1
Maddie once believed that 21-year-old Rico Hughes wasn’t capable of love. She told herself that when he was older—perhaps 31—things would change. She could wait. But when she heard him publicly admit to a relationship with someone else, the harsh truth struck her: Rico didn’t want her, now or ever.
Crushing the dependency that had bound her to him for 18 years, Maddie made the painful decision to walk away. But as she turned to leave, his voice, trembling with regret, stopped her.
“Maddie, I was wrong. Please... come back.”
***
The day Rico’s movie wrapped up was supposed to be a moment of celebration. Maddie woke early, carefully arranging a bouquet of flowers and a small, thoughtful gift. With her heart pounding, she pushed open the doors of the banquet hall where the cast and crew gathered.
Her steps faltered.
Standing next to Rico, Jane Harper—a rising actress—clung to his arm as they faced the cameras. Reporters swarmed, their questions sharp and probing.
“This is your second project together. Has your relationship grown closer?” one asked.
Rico’s signature charming smile appeared. “It certainly has.”
The reporter grinned, catching the subtext. “So, for your fans eagerly shipping this pairing, is it safe to say you’re a real couple, not just an on-screen match?”
Without hesitation, Rico turned to Jane, his gaze tender and cupped her face. He kissed her deeply. The banquet hall erupted in cheers and applause, whistles echoing through the room like a celebration for a victorious romance.
Maddie stood frozen in the doorway, the bouquet slipping from her trembling hands. Her breath hitched as Rico, still holding Jane close, teased the reporters.
“What do you think? Real or fake?”
The cameras flashed, capturing Rico’s soft touch as he wiped away Jane’s smudged lipstick. Maddie, struggling to steady herself, was startled by the sudden buzz of her phone.
Her mother’s name flashed on the screen. Maddie stepped out into the chilly night air before answering.
“Mom,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
“I just saw the entertainment news,” her mother said cautiously. “Rico already has a girlfriend. Don’t you think it’s time you stopped staying at his place? Why don’t you come home?”