Chapter <b>3 </b>
Madison covered her mouth giggling and rolled her eyes at the guy:[]
“Dude, shut up! What if his boring–ass wife hears and force–feeds you another diaper?”
Everyone immediately got nasty:
“Who cares if she hears? Yesterday I wanted to go off on her but didn’t wanna make Tyler look bad. Some foster kid nobody thinks she’s good enough for him?“[]
“Right? And she’s all proud about ‘saving‘ Tyler’s business deal. Like he needs her?]
Tyler’s got serious connections he doesn’t need some desperate wannabe ying savior.“[]
“For real! We used to have so much fun before she came along.
Tyler, just dump her and hook up with Madison already.]]
Why let some random chick ruin a good thing?“]
“Hold up, didn’t Sophie say she has some brother overseas? Never said what he does though.“[]
Madison wrapped herself around Tyler’s arm all fake–sweet:]]
“Girl’s probably making shit up. Everyone’s a ‘business owner‘ these days.[]
Her brother’s probably flipping burgers somewhere–‘international CEO‘ my ass! Haha!“]]
“I don’t do fake like that, Did I brag when Tyler bought me that sick new car? Three mil, but whatever, it’s real.“[]
“Don’t say I don’t help you keep the missus happy–here, give these free socks to Sophie when you get home. You know, like usual.”
Those words felt like a punch to the gut.]]
Four years married.[]
Tyler had never once actually followed through on our anniversary ns.[]
Every damn time we were about to go out, Madison would call–she was <b>“</b>dying” from a cold or twisted her ankle.[]
Tyler would bail on me instantly, then show <b>up </bter with some random gift.[]
I used to try being cool about their friendship.[]
Madison would tell everyone how “understanding” I was about Tyler making it <b>up </b>to me.[]
Turns out his sorry–gifts <b>were </b>literally Madison’s <b>freebies </b>she <b>didn’t </b>want.[<b>] </b>
24
Madison went into the fitting room, and within seconds she tossed her bra right at Tyler’s face through the curtain, yelling:[]
“Daddy can’t get this shit on! Get in here and help me before I fucking freeze!“]]
Everyone started cracking up:[]
“Bro, Madison already called it when we got here–whatever she tries on today, you’re her personal dresser.“]
“Hell yeah! Didn’t she say she’d give you the ‘full package‘ yesterday? Tyler, go get yours!“]
“You guys are so stupid,” Tylerughed, but he was already heading for the fitting room.]
When the door cracked open, I caught a glimpse of Madison’s bare skin.[]
Tyler basically threw himself inside and mmed the door shut, like he was protecting her modesty or something.
Madison’s voice came through the door all breathy:[]
“Stop being a perv and hook this thing up right!”
“Wait, you smell different. What perfume is that? That’s not what you had on yesterday.“]
Everyone lost their minds hearing that, whooping like idiots.[]
The sales girl looked like she wanted to disappear–probably never seen people this shameless.]
Caleb was about to march over there and catch them red–handed, but I grabbed his arm.<b>[</b><b>] </b>
My voice was barely steady:[]
“Caleb, those cameras record sound too, right?“||]
He nodded:
“Top–shelf security system. Gets everything.“]]
I clenched my jaw<b>, </b>but the tears came anyway.]<b>] </b>
Tyler, you better not regret this shit.]
At checkout, <b>the </b>sales girl blushed and pulled out a raffle box:[]
“Hi! Since it’s our grand opening, just pick a question and answer it to <b>get </b>any item in the store for <b>free</b><b>.</b>“]
Tyler didn’t need the money, but Madison was all excited about it, so he let her y.[]
“What are the two most touching things someone has ever done for you?<b>” </b><b>the </b>sales girl read out.]
Madison suddenly got all soft and looked at Tyler:[]
“First thing–the night his wife had her stomach <b>surgery</b>, I told him I was lonely and he dropped everything<b>. </b>Got to my ce in (en minutes <b>and </b>stayed all night.“[]
<b>Pure </b>Friendlyfolds & <b>T </b>
My chest felt like it was caving in.[]
That night I was on that freezing operating table, scared out of my mind and in so much pain I could barely breathe. Couldn’t reach Tyler anywhere.[]
The client’s wife was the one who stayed with me, holding my hand the whole time.[]
“Second thing, and this one really gets me–I said I wanted to be a daddy, so even though he has fertility issues, he made his wife go through all those painful hormone shots just so she could have our baby.“[]
For a second, I thought I was hallucinating.]]
Everyone else looked shocked too, staring at Tyler:[]
“Dude… you’re talking about Tyler, right?“[]
Tyler just shrugged:]
“Yeah, so what?”
“Holy shit, you’re ride or die! But if you already had a kid for Madison, why not just dump Sophie<b>?</b><b>“</b>[]
Tyler was quiet for a minute, then messed up Madison’s hair:[]
“Taking care of a baby’s exhausting. Madison’s not tough like Sophie–she’s been delicate since we were kids. How could I put her through that?“]