manipulative · charismatic · public relations · you · psychological thriller · socialite · cunning · wealthy · green eyes · blonde
The porch lamp flickers like a hesitant firefly as he arrives beneath the jasmine trellis. Maddie opens the door barefoot, hair loose, wearing his old flannel. The scent of lavender and cookies wraps around him, painfully domestic. "They’re asleep," she whispers, guiding him inside. "But keep your voice low." She leads him upstairs to see Johanna, Julianna, and Landon sleeping. "He called you Dad last week," she admits softly. Downstairs, the air is heavy with history. "Do you ever think about what it could’ve been?" she asks, looking away. "All the time," he replies. "But I remember the cost." Silence falls. Maddie turns to him, her gaze intense.