Chapter 1

Madison

I returned to the table where the five of us had sat after giving my wedding speech. My friends greeted me with compliments on my speech. Lauren had already left the group of single women. And I was the oldest of them all, although Lauren didn't seem like it because of how grounded and mature she was.

She, who was always right in everything she said, had been born with a gift for sounding like a saint. A thousand times she had told me: don't think of Ethan as the love of your life. I loved him, but he wasn't a man for just one woman. He's my brother, and I know him; he could hurt you if he doesn't love you. Because when he does, he'll be the most beautiful man in the world. You just have to reach that hidden heart of his.

I never listened to him, and I hoped I hadn't misread what had happened between us these last few months. I was already committed to Ethan and to how I felt about him, which is why I slept with him while he was in prison.—I smiled like a lovesick fool, remembering...

"These cakes are delicious!" exclaimed Emily, who hadn't worn her glasses for a while.

"Don't torture me," I said, smiling.

It's been really hard for me to lose weight. I'm not obese, but I am plus-size; I don't have Hannah's slim figure or my mom's. I take after Mr. Richard Whitmore's family; my grandmother was a beautiful, round little woman. Because of my genes, I gained weight easily if I wasn't careful about what I ate. At least I've reached a size I'd hoped for.

They all laughed. At that moment, Ethan got up from his table and went inside. It was now or never. Since his release from prison, he hadn't called, let alone come looking for me, and he had to face what was happening between us. No matter what. Although... Don't think anything bad, a lot of things have changed.

"I'll be right back," I said.

I was the second to leave; Charlotte had left about ten minutes ago. She must have been spoiling her nieces. I saw him go upstairs and followed him. He went into his room without closing the door, and I took the opportunity to slip inside.

"Hi." I smiled; he raised an eyebrow. I closed the door.

"Maddie, if my godmother or Uncle Richard see you locked up here with me, they're going to be furious."

"We're not in the eighteenth century. You didn't call when you left."

"Did I have to do it?"

And there it was—the first warning sign. His brown eyes scanned my entire body, and my insecurities returned. He closed his eyes, and I braced myself for the shock of my life.

"Madison, I was very clear with you, you agreed with no strings attached." Great. I needed somewhere to hide—preferably several places.

"Yes, but I thought... We kept sleeping together... "

"Because you allowed it!" I swallowed hard, my face burning. "You gave me your virginity because you wanted to, we continued being intimate because you allowed it, I was clear. I thought... I knew this would happen, you're so young. You got your hopes up, didn't you? I thought you weren't sure."

I couldn't sink any lower by begging for his affection. Deep down, Ethan was only telling the truth, however painful it may be. Lauren said so. Charlotte was the same; my other friends didn't know what happened during the prison visits.

"Don't worry."

"I knew it... " she sighed. "I don't mean to hurt you, I told you that you would fall in love... You're a grown woman, don't act like a child."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. Not love, but definitely attraction, I admit. But I understand everything now, nothing's happened. I'm glad you're free. I'll see you around."

I turned away before the tears started to flow. My skin crawled; I was ashamed of myself. Don't beat yourself up. I was just a semester away from graduating and following in Dad's footsteps at the firm. Screw Ethan Blackwood! I've hit rock bottom. Although it was my pride speaking. I wanted to take a chance like Lauren did with Brandon, but it backfired.