LOGINCADENThe day had been going smoothly, much like the past few weeks when she was always by my side. However, Professor Giant Tie decided to bring up a topic related to my life story during a lecture.Since that awakening lecture, which I was obligated to attend for an entire semester (hell, I know, right?), I’ve been faking my demeanor, trying to be the person Mad deserves. I could’ve taken the easy way out and provoked the professors into kicking me out, but I resisted.After classes, Mad and I share a passionate kiss for a good ten minutes in a narrow hideaway between two buildings.I compliment her beauty and admit how she turns me on when she’s focused in class. She blushes and advises me to calm down until we’re back home.Pouting, I pull her in for another long kiss, reluctantly letting go when she insists on returning to her friend for coffee.With my plan in mind since the first lecture, I agree to give her some time while I execute my own agenda. The plan: pick her up when sh
MADISONI can’t swallow the lump in my throat; I freeze, blinking at her.The first person who comes to mind is Caleb. He’s the only one who knows.Why would he go through this cruel process to get to us?“Maddie?” Asher calls my attention as he draws in a sharp breath, dropping his gaze to the mobile phone in his hand. “There’s a video from an unidentified number,” he stammers, shifting his gaze between me and the phone screen.Hastily, I snatch the object from him, my eyes drilling into the clip playing on the screen.Impossible.It’s a video of barefoot Caden running after me by the side of the street… our street.I gape nervously, breathing noisily as my eyes water at what I know is exactly going to happen in the video. The conversation is muffled, taken from high above us.The angle of the view suggests it was shot from our building, somewhere from the fourth or fifth floor. Someone must’ve recorded us.There it is: Caden grabbing my arm and stopping me from running away. Then, t
MADISONThe two words “new year” have never held meaning in my life.I’ve heard people discussing New Year’s resolutions, but it never bothers me enough to stop and think for a second about the term.I didn’t believe in progress, or anything related to that.Yes, I had a new dad, a well‑furnished home, extravagant clothes, and a driver taking me to and from school. Of course, my situation had improved. I was rescued from my past life. But with all those luxuries life offered, it also brought me Caden, who made sure I never enjoyed all those grateful things around me.So, as I said, the term new year had never meant anything to me.All those years, I wake up to people bantering about how rough and fast the past year has gone, and how hopeful they are about the new one. But for me, I find the new year just another normal day. It’s like I’m stuck in a rerun dream, where I keep reliving the same day, only I get to change clothes and meals.I thought the only transition between my former a
CADENAfter adoring her for a full half-minute, an idea bumps into my head.Yes, I’m marking her as mine tonight, and we’re walking into the new year as a married couple.With a smile, I inform her, “I think I have a ring alternative before we go shopping.”A smile instantly spreads across her face.“What is it?”“Wait here,” I insist, scampering to the kitchen with the bags of groceries.By the island, I lay them down and grab a knife from the drawer, dig out a carrot from the bag, and quickly slice it in two. I cut out a mini fraction.With the knife, I scrape the center and make a hole until it can fit onto my little finger.Perfect.My legs hurriedly take me back to the living room, where Mad is still standing. I feel the heat of her warm gaze as she stares at me with desire in her calm eyes.“I have a carrot,” I announce, thrilled, when I halt before her and grab her hand in mine.Excited, I slide the ring made of ripe carrot onto her finger, and it fits perfectly, as if it was m
CADENWith bags of groceries in my arms (we haven’t had a homemade meal for quite a long time), I walk into the quiet, dim apartment.It smells of coffee, flowers, and a mixture of detergents.I manage to slip my foot out of my army boots when Mad emerges from the bathroom, running over to wrap her hands around my waist.She’s happy, just as she has been ever since we became official. Not to sound like a psycho, but her happiness is the highlight of my life.“I missed you,” she whines into my chest, clutching me tighter, not caring about the bags in my hands.Today was the first time I left home since we came back from our unfortunate trip.I spent half the day choosing a replacement car and the other half getting trained for my new intern job at a surprisingly well-paying government agency.It’s true, I sold the vehicle I was so attached to. After finally having human emotions, feeling something strong for Mad, and even a little for Martha through her speech, I realized the Porsche w
CADENMartha’s car is quiet, filled with the soft warmth of the heater. She looks like she wants to say something but keeps hesitating, twisting in her seat, unsure how to begin. Mad, meanwhile, doesn’t care about her mother’s presence. She’s turned toward me, her hands gripping mine, warm and steady, her eyes filled with concern. They remind me that I need to be okay for her.I try to bury what just happened, like I always do with other things. But this time… it doesn’t work. The memory refuses to stay locked away.She offers me a small, tentative smile that says she’s here, and it’ll be okay. I love her. I return the smile, squeezing her hand in response, and catch Martha peeking at us through the rearview mirror.I wonder what she thinks about Mad and me. I wish I could care about that too, but the car feels suffocating, the air heavy and tight, and I can’t breathe.“Can I have a minute?” I mumble. Martha peeks again, and Mad’s brows draw together in concern as she nods.“What do y







