His sharp tone cut through Maddie and for the first time, he sounded impatient with her. She lowered her gaze, biting her lip to keep her emotions in check. If she spoke, the tears she had fought so hard to suppress would spill out.
She wanted to tell him she was leaving. That soon, the lights left on for him at night, the meals waiting for him when he came home and the sobering tea she always prepared wouldn’t be there anymore. But she said nothing.
Jane pouted dramatically and playfully nudged Rico. “Don’t be so harsh on her, Rico! Go take a shower already! We have an interview tomorrow, remember?”
Rico softened immediately, his frustration vanishing as he smiled at Jane. “Alright, I’ll go. Wait for me, okay?” He leaned in, affectionately brushing a hand over her cheek before heading to the bathroom.
Maddie felt a lump rise in her throat.
***
Once Rico was out of earshot, Jane turned to Maddie with a bright smile, pulling out her phone.
“Hey, can we exchange numbers? I think it’d be nice to stay in touch,” she said sweetly.
“Sure…” Maddie mumbled, fumbling to retrieve her phone.
After they exchanged contacts, Jane’s expression shifted. Her polite smile faded, replaced by a smug, calculating look.
“So,” Jane began, her voice icy now, “I heard you and Rico aren’t blood-related. How does someone like you manage to cling to him for so long? Must be nice, living off his kindness.”
Maddie felt her heart tighten as Jane’s words hit like a punch to the stomach.
***
“Do you even realize how ridiculous you look, clinging to Rico like this?” Jane sneered, her tone cutting through the silence like a blade. “What do you even bring to the table? Me? I have the backing of the most powerful company in the industry. Rico gets access to countless resources because of me. And you? What do you have? An entire orphanage?”
Jane laughed, covering her mouth delicately, as if the insult amused her.
Maddie froze, her heart pounding in her chest. This wasn’t the same Jane Harper who appeared so poised and gentle on screen. This was someone cold, calculating and cruel.
“I… I didn’t mean…” Maddie stammered, trying to explain, but Jane waved a dismissive hand.