“Of course not,” Rico replied softly. “You’re my family, Maddie. You always have been. I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life. Don’t let this get to you.”
Her grip on the phone tightened. “So you think I’m the problem? That I’ve been too greedy? That I’m unworthy?”
Rico’s tone shifted to exasperation. “That’s not what I said. Maddie, I’ll talk to you when I get home, alright? I have things to do.”
Before she could respond, the line went dead.
***
Maddie collapsed onto her bed, clutching the phone against her chest. Tears streamed down her face as memories flooded her mind.
Once, Rico would have fought tooth and nail to defend her from anyone who dared speak ill of her. Now, even as the internet tore her apart, all he could offer was indifference and empty reassurances.
The bond she had cherished—their shared history, their childhood dependence on each other—meant nothing to him anymore.
To Rico, it seemed their connection was a relic of the past, not worth defending.
***
When Maddie woke the next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains. Her phone buzzed relentlessly with unread messages.