Chapter 15: The Fall

On the day of the gala, I found Rachel by the artificial lake, decked out in Dior and Tiffany diamonds—Nathan’s handiwork, no doubt.

"Madison, did you think being a Thompson would protect you forever? I’ll make you pay for everything. Tyler loves me, your brother loves me. You’ll never be loved by anyone."

Her lips curled, but her eyes flickered—just for a second—with something like fear.

I smiled. "How did the toilet water taste? Refreshing?"

Her face went pale as I turned and walked away.

At sunset, the dance team and I raced to the studio to grab our props. Halfway there, I realized I’d left the tiara for our final bow—three grand’s worth of Swarovski—in the practice room.

Sarah offered to help, but I waved her off. "It’s fine. Go get everyone ready."

The building was deserted. I hurried up the stairs, but stopped short—someone was waiting.

Sunlight slashed across his face, leaving half in shadow: Tyler.

He spoke, voice low and dangerous: "Maddie, what are you trying to do?"

"None of your business. Move."

He grabbed my shoulder, and suddenly I was falling—tumbling down the concrete steps, pain shattering through my body. I landed hard, my ankle snapping with a sickening crack.

Tyler’s footsteps echoed as he descended, his face unreadable. He crouched beside me, voice cold: "Don’t blame me. You were born with everything. Rachel’s already fighting for her life."

He gripped my injured ankle and slammed my calf into the iron railing. Pain exploded up my leg, but the real agony was in his eyes—cold, familiar, and utterly unforgiving. As darkness crept in, I realized: this time, I might not get a do-over.