Rico rarely mentioned his past in the orphanage to anyone. The only person who had been in her room recently was Jane. The betrayal hit her like a punch to the gut.
***
“Maddie, are you alright?” Lucy’s voice was laced with concern.
“I’m fine,” Maddie replied, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her.
“Sweetheart, let me fly over. I can be there in two hours.”
“No need, Lucy,” Maddie said, “I’ll handle this myself.”
After hanging up, Maddie immediately dialed Rico’s number. The first call went unanswered. So did the second. By the third attempt, Maddie’s frustration turned to desperation. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he picked up.
His voice was calm, almost detached. “Maddie, I’m busy. What’s going on?”
“Rico,” Maddie began, her voice trembling. “Did you see the photo? The one Jane posted online?”
There was a pause and then Rico sighed. “Maddie, Jane didn’t mean any harm. She was just curious. She didn’t realize—”
“Stop.” Maddie’s voice cracked as she interrupted him. “She didn’t realize? Rico, that photo has the entire internet calling me a greedy, shameless woman. Do you think that’s okay?”