"Madisyn, I need to know!" Joey's voice trembled with urgency, her eyes searching Madisyn's for answers. "You don't deserve to know!" Madisyn shot back, her voice cracking as tears welled up in her eyes. "Not after you broke up with me!" Her words dissolved into sobs, her chest heaving with the weight of her emotions. "Please," Joey's voice softened, filled with desperation. "Just tell me… is the kid you're pregnant with mine or is it my brother's?" --- Madisyn had always envisioned a simple, colorful life. She dreamed of nurturing her children with love and being a devoted mother, building the family she had always longed for. After years of falling for the wrong men, she thought she had finally found the perfect one, the man who would complete her picture of happiness. But she had made a grave mistake. In her eagerness for love, she had handed over her heart too quickly, trusting too easily. It was a mistake that would cost her dearly when he abandoned her at the altar, leaving her humiliated on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. As if that betrayal wasn’t enough, she soon uncovered the bitter truth: his love had never been real. He had faked every tender word, every promise of forever. But fate has a way of balancing the scales. Madisyn knew that revenge was a dish best served cold, and what could be more satisfying than turning to the one person her ex hated most? His own brother. Dating his brother wasn't just about moving on; it was about reclaiming her power. It was about showing him that she could rise from the ashes he left behind and find love in the most unexpected place—right under his nose.
Madisyn and Ethan exchanged a brief, knowing glance, but Gabriela was too engrossed in her sandwich to notice, the soft hum of approval escaping her lips between bites. She savored the meal with closed eyes, as if the rich flavors of the deli meats and melted cheese transported her somewhere far more peaceful. Blissfully unaware of the silent exchange between her friends, she remained in her little culinary world.
"Did you order anything?" Madisyn asked, her voice soft but insistent, as she turned her gaze back to Ethan. She cocked her head slightly, her wavy hair cascading down to brush the edge of the table.
"I will once I finish this," he replied, nodding toward the glowing laptop screen in front of him. His fingers tapped idly against the wooden tabletop, producing a faint rhythm as though he was hoping it would spark the inspiration he needed. "I have to write an article for a magazine about the Sprinterz company and their upcoming projects."