Chapter 21
“Maddie has blossomed into such a
beautiful young woman, even more graceful than when she was a child. She’s so composed and refined. I truly admire. her more every time I see her,” Mrs. Cooper said with a warm smile, watching the young girl. “Unlike you andrew, always bouncing around like a wild monkey since. you were little.”
Andrew, who had just walked into the room, raised an eyebrow. “Mom, seriously? Why do you have to praise Maddie and then drag me through the mud?”
Mrs. Cooper laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Who’s dragging you. through the mud? I’m just speaking the truth. If only I had a daughter like Maddie, but alas, I got stuck with you!” She shook her head in mock sorrow. “Though I do. remember how you and Maddie were like two peas in a pod when you were kids,
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always together. If Maddie could marry into our family, I’d be so overjoyed, I wouldn’t be able to sleep for a week!”
Andrew’s face flushed a deep shade of red. “Mom, not everything is as simple as you think. What if Maddie already has someone she likes? Did you ever think about that?”
After a brief pause, both mother and son turned their gaze toward Maddie, who was sitting nearby, quietly sipping her drink.
Maddie cleared her throat and looked up, her voice cool and distant. “No. I don’t have anyone in my heart.”
The words came out with a surprising finality and there was no hint of hesitation in her tone. In the past, she had thought she loved Rico, but after spending so much. time reflecting, she realized that what she had felt wasn’t real love.
True love, she now understood, should be balanced–an equal give and take. But with
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Rico, there was always an imbalance. She had been the one looking up to him, constantly giving without receiving. Her feelings, in the end, had been humble, almost too humble.
Mrs. Cooper beamed. “That’s fantastic! You‘ re free to choose, Maddie. Don’t let anyone rush you into anything!”
With a quick, playful slap to Andrew’s leg, she added, “You better take note andrew!
This is how it’s done.”
Andrew winced, barely able to hide hist discomfort. When he looked up, his eyes met Maddie’s and for a brief, awkward moment, they both quickly looked away, their faces turning slightly pink.
After the eventful evening, Maddie
returned to the home that had once felt unfamiliar but now felt like a place she could truly call her own.
Her bedroom, nestled on the second floor, was a stunning surprise. As she opened the
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there while you’re working on your novels. Oh and we made sure there’s a projector on the wall for your movie nights.”
Maddie’s heart swelled with emotion as she looked at her parents. She hadn’t
expected such thoughtfulness and certainly not this much care.
Her mother led her to the balcony and Maddie’s breath caught at the sight. It was covered in vibrant hydrangeas–pinks, blues, purples and whites–all in full bloom, each vying for attention in their own way. The flowers, alive with color, seemed to reflect the joy and warmth Maddie felt inside.
“These are from your mom’s garden,” Mrs. Evans said, her voice tender. “I handpicked them just for you. Aren’t they beautiful?”
Tears welled up in Maddie’s eyes as she nodded, unable to speak for a moment. “They’re perfect,” she whispered. “How did you know?”
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Her father placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “We know you, Maddie. You‘ ve always loved mint green and hydrangeas. We wanted to make this room special–just for you.”
A lump formed in Maddie’s throat as she realized how much they truly understood her, even without her ever saying a word. For the first time, she felt the full weight of love and care–something she had never experienced before, not in the way her family now showed it.
In the past, she had thought that the gifts. and attention from Rico were the best she
could receive. But now, she knew the truth. What she had with her family–their understanding, their support–was far better than anything she had ever experienced before.
This was what home felt like.
After resting for a couple of days, Maddie returned to her writing. She completed the final chapters of her serialized novel, a
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