Chapter 11
One by one, Maddie erased every trace of herself from Rico’s home. Even the plants she had nurtured on the balcony found new homes with the friendly cleaning ladies in the neighborhood. She left no sign that she had ever lived there.
That evening, Maddie sat on the couch, scrolling through her phone, when the news flashed before her eyes: Rico and Jane were trending again.
The photos painted a perfect picture–Rico and Jane walking hand–in–hand along the shore, laughing, hugging and kissing beneath the fading sunlight. Their love seemed effortless, their smiles meant for
the world to see.
Maddie’s heart ached as she swiped through the images, but she kept scrolling, unable to stop herself. Finally, she logged out of her social media account. It wasn’t just any account; it was one she had
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created specifically to support Rico. Disguised as an anonymous fan, she had joined his fan groups, shared posts about his accomplishments and stayed up late helping other fans boost his popularity.
At one time, it had been her secret joy–a quiet way of giving back to the person she loved. But now, that chapter was over. He no longer needed her devotion and she no longer needed the pain of holding onto him.
*****
Not long after logging out, her phone buzzed. A dozen photos from Jane appeared in her messages.
Maddie hesitated before opening them.
The images were deliberate. Jane was dressed provocatively in swimsuits or bathrobes, the beach serving as at
backdrop. In every photo, Rico was there, close enough to remind Maddie of their
connection.
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Then came the text:
[So, Maddie, will you be moved out before Rico comes back to town tomorrow?]
Maddie‘ s fingers trembled as she typed her reply:
[Yes.]
Jane’s response was instant. [Good. I’m looking forward to it.]
The photos vanished seconds later as Jane
deleted them. But she had underestimated
Maddie. The images were already saved to her phone.
In a rare moment of defiance, Maddie stared at them, a hollow smile on her face. The photo album she‘ d once filled with pictures of Rico wasn‘ t complete. Now, these new pictures would be added. They would mark the final pages of a story she had once dreamed would never end.
***
When the morning came, Maddie’s room.
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was bare except for two things: first, a bank card containing every dollar Rico had ever spent on her, along with the interest she had calculated over the years, and also the photo album.
Maddie couldn’t bring herself to destroy it. The memories, though painful, had been beautiful once. The last page held a photo of the two of them from the orphanage. She carefully cut it in half, keeping only the part with Rico.
On the back, she wrote a single line:
“Rico, I’m leaving. I wish your happiness.
After placing the photo in the album, she set it down on the nightstand, closed her bedroom door and walked out of the house. Her suitcase in hand, she took one last look at the place that had once been her
sanctuary.
Then, without a second glance, she stepped into the night and hailed a taxi, leaving
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everything behind.
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