Chapter 24

MADISON’S POV I sat amidst the grandeur and power in the Harrington living room, faking this crying into the silk handkerchief. The sniffling, the dabbing in my eyes-all contrived, with every tear serving one purpose: that would keep my parents and whomever else was around firmly in camp 'Madison'. "It's all my fault," I whispered, catching my voice just enough to make it sound true. "If I hadn't said those things to Kimberly, maybe she wouldn't have left." Mom exhaled a gust of impatient air and drummed her fingers on her knee so perfectly manicured. "Madison, just knock it off. Kimberly's always been a weak little thing. It's not your fault that she can't take a little heat.” "But Mother…", I managed to choke in with a faked sob, before leaning my head really low for even more effect. "If she doesn't come back, the entire household will suffer her loss. If I vacate this household… it is perhaps now when she could be well enough to go back home.” "Preposterous is just what that sounds