A faint smile tugged at the corners of Maddison's lips when she caught sight of Mason at the other end of the hallway. However, her heart sank as her eyes fell upon Brynn standing beside him. It seemed as though all the unpleasant thoughts that had plagued her mind were now validated. Her Mase, the one she had shared countless moments with, was engaged in a conversation with Brynn, who possessed an alluring smile, flawless skin, and flowing dark hair—someone undeniably beautiful in a way Maddison could never be. The sight struck her like a knife to the heart, unraveling the past few weeks as if they were nothing but a cruel game. Had Mason merely been toying with her?
Suppressing the welling tears, Maddison raised her head high, determined not to let him see how deeply this revelation had wounded her. It felt as if he had achieved his desired outcome, elevating their playful banter to a whole new level. Yet, the facade she had meticulously crafted threatened to crumble, and she could feel the tears teetering on the edge, waiting for the moment she was out of earshot.
Summoning every ounce of strength, she strode down the hallway, walking past Mason and Brynn with an air of stoicism. Amidst their conversation, she caught snippets of Brynn's words, each one further plunging Maddie into the depths of a despairing abyss in her mind.
Nevertheless, she refused to let her emotions consume her. She couldn't afford to show him how profoundly this revelation had affected her. With every step away from them, the tears threatened to spill from her eyes, begging for release. But she pressed on, determined to maintain her composure until she found solace in a safe space, where she could confront her emotions and mend the fragments of her broken heart.