Maddie crossed her arms, glaring at them both. “So why is it that your sandwiches don’t have any chili sauce and mine is practically drowning in it?”
Rico looked taken aback. “Hey, there’s no need to be aggressive. Jane even asked me what you like and I told her you love ketchup. She just tried to make it special for you. We don’t care for ketchup, so we skipped it.”
Maddie clenched her fists at her sides, biting back a retort. She knew Rico was too enamored with Jane to see through her clumsy excuses. It didn’t matter anymore—none of it did. After all, she had already made up her mind.
***
The day after Rico and Jane left for their trip, Maddie packed her things and went back to where it all began: the orphanage. She carried a bag full of gifts for the children, hoping to leave a part of herself behind in the only place that had ever truly felt like home.
“Maddie!” Mrs. Walker, the headmistress, called out, rushing to embrace her. “Oh, it’s so good to see you again! But where’s Rico? Didn’t he come with you?”
Maddie offered a small smile. “He’s been busy. Didn’t have time to visit.”