Chapter 19
Rico’s head throbbed as he tried to process the whirlwind of emotions.
“It’s not like that…” he began, his voice faltering. “The reason I brought Jane
home was because the paparazzi were following us. To make it seem like a real relationship, I had to…”
“You had to bring her home?” Mr. Walker interrupted, his eyes narrowing. “So, let me get this straight–you and Jane aren’t actually in a relationship?”
Rico shook his head firmly. “No. It’s all fake–a publicity stunt to promote our movie. None of it is real.”
Mr. Walker crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. “Well, you two sure put on a convincing act. Even Maddie was fooled.”
Rico’s stomach twisted. “That’s why I’m here. Please, Mr. Walker, call Maddie out. I need to explain everything to her. I
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d to take her home.”
daddie?” Mr. Walker’s face shifted robbed as suspicion to confusion. “She’s not
lwind of
hat…” he forced a small, humorless laugh. reason Walker, I know I’ve messed up, but ase the penise I’ll make it right. Please don’t makeither from me.
ad to…ad to
n not hiding her,” Mr. Walker said
ing her hehe “Maddie isn‘ t here, Rico. Don’t
eyes nam2ow?”
naves
ight–youts chest tightened. “Know what?”
ationshiptonsh
alker frowned, as though puzzled by head finladin
ignorance. “Maddie left two days
y stunt toss in Newyork with her biological
he’s
it is real is re
- IS.
ssed hissed his
Vell, yovell, you
Even Miven world tilted as Mr. Walker‘ s words
- n.
h twisted twiste
se, Mase, Mund her real parents?” he xplainexplained, his voice barely audible.
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Mr. Walker nodded. “Yes. They’ve been looking for her for years. Didn’t she tell you?”
Rico shook his head numbly. “No. She never said anything.”
For a moment, the room was deathly silent. Rico felt like he’d been struck by lightning.
Maddie wasn’t abandoned like him. She had a family. A real family. And now she was with them.
He staggered out of the office, his legs feeling like lead. Desperation clawed at him as he searched the orphanage grounds. He checked every corner, every room, hoping against hope that Mr. Walker was mistaken.
But Maddie was gone.
Finally, Rico collapsed onto the grass, his face buried in his hands. The truth was unbearable: she had left him behind, just as he had feared.
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***
After a few minutes of silence, Rico‘ s mind raced for a solution. The novel.
Maddie was still serializing her story online. Maybe he could reach her through it.
Grabbing his phone, he opened the website where Maddie published her work. In the comments section of her latest updates, he found a heated discussion unfolding:
“I don’t get it. The hero and heroine grew up together and love each other. Why not let them be together?”
“This author is just forcing drama for no reason.”
“If the heroine doesn’t care about the hero, why not let him move on? Why string him along just because of their shared past?”
“Honestly, the hero deserves better. The heroine’s behavior is awful!”
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Chapter 19
Rico s heart sank. The comments felt eerily familiar, like they were describing his and Maddie‘ s relationship.
Curious and unsettled, Rico opened Maddie‘ s novel and began to read.
Within minutes, it became clear: the story was about them.
But in her narrative, the roles were
reversed. Maddie had written herself as the loyal, selfless female lead, while Rico was the indecisive and distant heroine.
Each chapter was a mirror reflecting the years they had spent together. Her pain and longing were laid bare in every line.
Rico read feverishly, each page peeling back a layer of his ignorance: the rejection. when she confessed her feelings, the hurt when he ignored her sacrifices, the agony of watching him pretend to love someone
else for fame.
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hapter 19
omle reached the chapter titled “Leaving‘ verend froze. At the end of the chapter,
nsha Maddie had written a note to her readers:
“I used to believe the hero and heroine
would end up together, no matter what. But ico coco
eality has a way of shattering those reams.”
anta
be dane
he had included a quote by Hayao
Miyazaki: “I knew from the beginning that rolese weren’t right for each other, but I still injected everyone else to walk a road that dead nowhere.”
chenthe
DRIFTOLI
ico’s hands trembled as he stared at the
ettogether
creen.
bare m
Maddie had been trying to tell him for beach pe
ears, but he hadn’t listened. She had
norance
oured her heartbreak into her writing, Ther fee
oping he would notice, but he had been r sacri blind, too selfish, to see it.
etend to
scrolled back through the comments, chest tightening at the reader reactions:
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“The hero deserves better.”
“The heroine is selfish. She’ll never appreciate him until it’s too late.”
Rico closed the app and leaned back. against the wall, his mind spinning.
For the first time, he truly saw himself through Maddie‘ s eyes–not as the loving protector he thought he was, but as a selfish man who had taken her for granted.
“I failed her,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I failed her in every way.”
But he wasn’t ready to give up.
***
Rico clenched his fists, determination. burning in his chest.
He had spent too long living in his own world, ignoring Maddie‘ s needs and pain. If she wouldn’t let him back into her life, he would earn his way back.
For the first time in years, Rico didn‘ t
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think about contracts, fame, or public opinion. He thought only of Maddie–of finding her, apologizing and proving he was worthy of her forgiveness.
He wouldn’t stop until he brought her home.
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