Maddie once believed that 21-year-old Rico Hughes wasn’t capable of love. She told herself that when he was older—perhaps 31—things would change. She could wait. But when she heard him publicly admit to a relationship with someone else, the harsh truth struck her: Rico didn’t want her, now or ever.

Crushing the dependency that had bound her to him for 18 years, Maddie made the painful decision to walk away. But as she turned to leave, his voice, trembling with regret, stopped her.

“Maddie, I was wrong. Please... come back.”

***

The day Rico’s movie wrapped up was supposed to be a moment of celebration. Maddie woke early, carefully arranging a bouquet of flowers and a small, thoughtful gift. With her heart pounding, she pushed open the doors of the banquet hall where the cast and crew gathered.

Her steps faltered.

Standing next to Rico, Jane Harper—a rising actress—clung to his arm as they faced the cameras. Reporters swarmed, their questions sharp and probing.

“This is your second project together. Has your relationship grown closer?” one asked.

Rico’s signature charming smile appeared. “It certainly has.”

The reporter grinned, catching the subtext. “So, for your fans eagerly shipping this pairing, is it safe to say you’re a real couple, not just an on-screen match?”

Without hesitation, Rico turned to Jane, his gaze tender and cupped her face. He kissed her deeply. The banquet hall erupted in cheers and applause, whistles echoing through the room like a celebration for a victorious romance.

Maddie stood frozen in the doorway, the bouquet slipping from her trembling hands. Her breath hitched as Rico, still holding Jane close, teased the reporters.

“What do you think? Real or fake?”

The cameras flashed, capturing Rico’s soft touch as he wiped away Jane’s smudged lipstick. Maddie, struggling to steady herself, was startled by the sudden buzz of her phone.

Her mother’s name flashed on the screen. Maddie stepped out into the chilly night air before answering.

“Mom,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“I just saw the entertainment news,” her mother said cautiously. “Rico already has a girlfriend. Don’t you think it’s time you stopped staying at his place? Why don’t you come home?”

Maddie’s throat tightened. For the first time in years, she said the word she had avoided for so long. “Mom…” She choked on the word, then exhaled shakily. “I’ll come home.”

On the other end of the line, her mother’s voice cracked with relief. “Oh, Maddie… you’re finally coming back. Thank God. I’ll have your sister come pick you up immediately!”

“No,” Maddie said softly, her hand clutching her phone. “I still need a week to sort things out.”

Her mother’s tone shifted to gentle understanding. “Alright. Use this time to say goodbye properly, especially to Rico. He’s been like a brother to you for so long, taking care of you after the orphanage. If you leave without talking to him, it’ll be hard for both of you.”

“I understand,” Maddie replied, her voice faint.

When the call ended, Maddie stared at her phone. A new notification flashed:

[Rico Hughes and Jane Harper Confirmed as a Real Couple!]

The accompanying photo showed Rico and Jane locked in that now-infamous kiss. Maddie’s knees buckled as she collapsed onto the sidewalk, tears streaming uncontrollably.

***

Maddie couldn’t erase the memories. There was a time when Rico cared deeply for her. He had been her protector. He was three years older and had fiercely defended her from bullies at the orphanage. At sixteen, his brash, rebellious nature caught the eye of a film director scouting locations. The director offered Rico a way out—a chance to leave the orphanage and make something of himself.

On the day he left, Maddie clung to him, sobbing into his chest.

“Rico, don’t leave me,” she cried.

He gently held her and promised, “Maddie, wait for me. I’ll come back for you.”

True to his word, Rico returned on his eighteenth birthday, two years later. He took her in and enrolled her in an ordinary high school, determined to give her a normal life. Maddie’s world revolved around him and for years, she had believed it always would.

But as she stared at the photo on her phone, the painful truth set in: she wasn’t part of Rico’s future anymore.

To Maddie, Rico had always been her world—the one person who made her feel seen, cared for and safe. He was her salvation, the light in her otherwise dark life. So, it was no surprise that as a teenager, she fell hopelessly in love with him.

When Maddie received her college acceptance letter, she took a deep breath and confessed her feelings to Rico.

But Rico’s response wasn’t what she had hoped for. His brow furrowed, his voice calm but firm. “Maddie, the company has a strict rule: artists aren’t allowed to date. I can’t be with you.”

Maddie refused to give up. If 21-year-old Rico couldn’t fall in love, maybe 31-year-old Rico could. She told herself she could wait.

She could wait forever.

But that hope was shattered when Rico gave his love to someone else—Jane Harper. Maddie watched helplessly as Rico and Jane held hands, hugged and kissed in front of flashing paparazzi cameras. The final blow came when the tabloids plastered pictures of them entering the same hotel late at night.

Her five years of unwavering devotion suddenly felt meaningless. Maddie remembered all the sacrifices she had made for Rico, including abandoning her search for her biological parents and it all seemed ridiculous now.

That evening, Maddie dried her tears, stood tall and tossed the bouquet of flowers she had been holding into the trash. She was done. Done waiting. Done hoping. It was time to go home.

***

At two in the morning, the sound of the front door slamming jolted Maddie awake. Rico had returned home, but he wasn’t alone. Jane Harper stood beside him, her arm looped through his.

“You must be Maddie, Rico’s sister, right?” Jane said, her voice sweet yet cutting. “Hi, I’m Jane Harper, Rico’s girlfriend.”

Before Maddie could reply, Jane continued, her tone apologetic.

“I’m so sorry for the intrusion. We tried to check into a hotel, but the paparazzi were everywhere. Rico thought it’d be safer to come here. I hope you don’t mind?”

Maddie forced a stiff smile, feeling small and insignificant in her oversized pajamas. “No, it’s fine. Welcome…”

This was the first time Maddie had seen Jane up close. On screen, Jane was beautiful, but in person, she was breathtaking. Her flawless skin and striking features were accentuated by the small teardrop mole under her right eye, giving her an air of unattainable elegance.

In contrast, Maddie felt like a forgotten shadow—a plain, ordinary girl standing next to a movie star.

***

“Hey, Maddie, could you make some sobering tea for Jane?” Rico asked, his tone light but expectant.

Maddie hesitated. “I… I didn’t make any tonight.”

Rico frowned, his expression hardening. “What do you mean? You always have some ready. Why can’t you even handle this small thing?”

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.

“Save it,” she snapped, her patience wearing thin. “I don’t care what your intentions were before, but here’s the reality: Rico is my boyfriend now. Do yourself a favor—pack your things and leave. Otherwise…” She paused, her eyes narrowing. “Don’t blame me for being unpleasant.”

Without waiting for a response, Jane turned on her heel and strode into Maddie’s bathroom, leaving her standing there in stunned silence.

Maddie sighed deeply, fighting back tears. She told herself it didn’t matter. She was leaving anyway. Soon, Jane’s harsh words and accusations wouldn’t matter anymore.

***

As Maddie sat on the edge of her bed that night, her thoughts drifted back to the past.

During high school, she had leaned heavily on Rico’s support. At the time, Rico was just starting his acting career, taking small roles that barely paid the bills. Money was tight, but Rico had never hesitated to make sure Maddie had everything she needed.

When Maddie entered college, she wanted to ease his burden. She started writing novels, earning a modest income that gradually grew. From $200 a month to $2,000 and eventually tens of thousands, Maddie became fully self-sufficient. But even then, Rico insisted on sending her money every month. She had tried to refuse, but he always found a way to ensure she accepted it.

Quietly, Maddie saved every penny Rico gave her, including what he spent on her during high school. The money sat untouched in a separate account, ready to be returned to him if he ever needed it.

After graduating college, Maddie planned to pursue a job as an editor. But Rico asked her to stay.

“I’ve never had a real family before,” he’d said, his voice soft and vulnerable. “Now that I finally have one, I don’t want to lose it.”

Moved by his words, Maddie stayed. She took care of him, managed the house and wrote her novels. For a time, she thought she had built something unshakable with Rico—a warm, unbreakable bond.

But now, as Jane’s voice echoed in her mind, Maddie realized how naive she had been.

***

The next morning, Maddie woke late. She glanced at the clock—it was already ten. Panicking, she rushed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Rico.

She cooked millet yam and red date porridge, made fluffy egg cakes and fried two simple vegetarian dishes. Rico had a sensitive stomach and Maddie always took care to prepare meals that wouldn’t upset him.

As she finished setting the table, Jane sauntered into the kitchen wearing one of Rico’s oversized shirts. Her bare legs and confident smirk made Maddie feel even smaller.

“Good morning!” Jane chirped, her voice syrupy sweet. It was a far cry from the venom she’d spewed the night before.

Maddie forced a polite smile. “Morning.”

Jane scanned the table and pouted theatrically. “Oh no, it looks like someone forgot about me. No breakfast for the guest? Is this how you treat Rico’s girlfriend?”

Maddie blinked, realizing there were only two bowls of porridge on the table—one for her and one for Rico. Forcing herself to remain calm, she walked back to the kitchen and ladled another bowl for Jane.

As she turned to bring it to the table, she bumped into someone.

“Ah!” Jane shrieked, stepping back dramatically.

The bowl slipped from Maddie’s hands, crashing to the floor. Hot porridge splattered everywhere and the ceramic shattered. Maddie gasped as the scalding liquid splashed onto her feet. A sharp pain followed as a shard of porcelain sliced into the back of her foot, blood pooling instantly.

***

Jane’s scream drew Rico into the room. He rushed to Jane’s side, his eyes wide with concern.

“Jane, are you okay? What happened?”

“She just… bumped into me,” Jane said, her tone laced with accusation. “It’s fine, though. I’m not hurt.”

Rico turned to Maddie, who was crouched on the floor, clutching her bleeding foot. His brow furrowed as he noticed the injury. “Maddie, are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Maddie murmured, her voice strained as she fought back tears. She tried to stand, but pain shot up her leg, making her wince.

Jane’s gaze flickered to Maddie’s foot, but her expression remained indifferent. “I mean, accidents happen,” she said breezily, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “But Maddie, you really should be more careful.”

Rico helped Maddie to a chair, his concern genuine, but Maddie could see the way his attention kept drifting back to Jane. The dynamic was clear: no matter what happened, Jane would always come first.