Page 55 of Check the Halls
But I do none of those things.
I smile.
I smile until my cheeks ache, wide and sharp like the cartoon cat my beloved orange fluff ball is named after. Then I laugh—a full-bodied, breathless laugh, the kind that erupts from someone who has just heard the greatest joke of all time.
I keep laughing as I rise from my chair. As I float downthe hall. By the time I reach our bedroom, the laughter has softened to a chuckle, but it still lingers.
We’re all mad here.
Cheshire stirs from his nap on the bed, blinking at me with a lazy interest as I grab an overnight bag from the closet. I start stuffing in whatever clothes my hands land on, my movements swift, certain.
“What are you doing?” Derek asks. He’s followed me here to presumably continue our argument.
I don’t answer. Instead I dig through the closet until I find the pet carrier that Cheshire hates even more than my soon-to-be ex-fiancé. To my surprise, when I open the latch, he darts inside. Like he’s been waiting for me to wake up and get us both out of here.
“Madelyn, what are you doing?” His sharp tone is meant to intimidate, but it has the opposite effect. As I look at him, red-faced, arms crossed, wide stance, the only word that comes to mind is “ridiculous.”
Ridiculous that I could think a life with this man is what I want or need.
Ridiculous that I ignored all the signs indicating that this relationship was broken.
Ridiculous that I could even contemplate starting a family with someone I’m not sure I even know.
Ridiculous that, having known the real thing, I could ever convince myself that this was love.
“I’m leaving, Derek.” My voice is calm, steady in a way I wouldn’t have thought possible a mere five minutes ago. “I’ll be back for the rest of my things.”
I step past him but pause when I remember something.
I turn back, and for a second hope flickers across hisface. His shoulders relax, his expression softening as if he truly believes I’ve come to my senses.
Then I slide the engagement ring off my finger.
His eyes drop to my hand, watching as I hold it out to him. But when he makes no move to take the ring, I let it slip from my fingers.
The diamond and its tiny band of gold make a hollow, lifeless sound as it lands on the hardwood.
Derek flinches but I don’t.
“Goodbye, Derek.”
I turn and walk away, not a single part of me tempted to look back.
Even with Cheshire’s carrier in my arms and my bag weighing down my shoulder, I feel lighter than a fucking feather.
CHAPTER 19
BEN
Madness: Hiii. Any hotels let you have
Iread the text three times before responding. It’s after seven in the evening and I just got home from an early dinner at Beth and Foster’s.
Ben: You okay Madness?
The bubbles appear and then stop. Then they start again.
Madness: Sorry! I thought I was texting Beth. Your names are a lucky.
