Madison Rae
I hadn't really slept.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw flashing cameras, Lila's smug face, James's dramatic betrayal, and the cold clang of handcuffs on my parent's wrists. My heart had pounded all night, too loud for rest. The pillow smelled like old memories and none of them offered comfort.
By the time the sun filtered through the curtains, I gave up pretending.
Pulling on a soft cardigan over my tank top, I padded downstairs, rubbing my arms against the chill that had settled deep in my bones. My bare feet barely made a sound on the polished floors.
But the house wasn't empty.
I froze as I reached the bottom step.
Alex was sitting at the long dining table, calm and composed, as if he hadn't just dropped a contract marriage proposal on a broken girl
