The crisp autumn air lingered as Jake and Madeline strolled back from the picnic, hand in hand. In front of Madeline's dorm, Jake paused, a tender smile playing on his lips. Without a word, he leaned in, gently pressing his lips to hers. Madeline responded with a warm embrace, and when they pulled away, she found herself engulfed in his strong arms. "Madeline," Jake said, his eyes reflecting sincerity, "I'm really glad you're mine." His words echoed with a depth that made Madeline's heart flutter. She chuckled, overwhelmed with happiness, and teased, "Well, I'm stuck with you now, so you better get used to it." With a playful twinkle in his eye, Jake suggested, "How about we head to my place? I've got some amazing homemade desserts waiting." Madeline blushed knowing exactly what dessert he was talking about. however, she reminded him of the impending week filled with tight schedules and looming exams. She shared her need to focus on her studies, admitting, "I want to spend time with y

Madeline walks back to her dorm already missing Jake. She sighed wondering what was so wrong with worrying about someone. She gets to her room and Daniel is sitting on the floor in front of her door.Madeline's heart pounds as she approaches her dorm, emotions swirling in her chest. Seeing Daniel sitting on the floor catches her off guard, and she calls out, "Daniel? What are you doing here?" He stands up, and there's a mix of hope and uncertainty in his eyes. "Hey, Madeline," he says, a hesitant smile on his face. "I didn't plan well with the hotel situation, and, well, I thought maybe you'd... consider letting me stay here." Madeline raises an eyebrow, her expression a blend of surprise and disbelief. "Are you serious, Daniel? After everything?" He sighs, looking down for a moment, then meets her eyes again. "I just thought, you know, since you were so upset about me leaving, maybe..." Madeline interrupts, her voice firm, "Daniel, I've moved on. Jake is an upgrade from you. I can't j

Madeline, overcome with relief, practically leaps into Jake's arms as she finds him waiting for her in her dorm room. Jake's strong embrace provides a sense of comfort, dispelling the worry that had plagued her moments ago. As they sit down, Madeline looks at Jake, her eyes reflecting both joy and concern. "I was so scared you were avoiding me or something," Madeline admits, her voice carrying the weight of the fear she had just experienced. Jake chuckles, running a hand through his hair, "No way, Maddy. My phone's battery is low so I charged it at home." Madeline sighs, "I thought... I thought you were through with us, especially after the Daniel mess." She proceeds to explain the events with Daniel, making sure to emphasize that her concern for him doesn't jeopardize their relationship. Jake listens attentively, nodding understandingly. After Madeline finishes recounting what happened with Daniel, Jake takes a deep breath and reassures her, "Maddy, I trust you. I know you're a good

Later that afternoon, Jake and Madeline meet at their favorite coffee shop. The atmosphere is a mix of tension and anticipation as they sit across from each other. Jake takes a sip of his coffee, breaking the silence, "I've been doing some thinking, Maddy." Madeline, looking at him with curiosity, nods for him to continue. Jake takes a deep breath, "I understand that you wanted to help Daniel. And I trust you. But it hurt to see you prioritizing him over us." Madeline, empathetic to Jake's feelings, reaches across the table and places her hand on his, "Jake, I'm sorry if it seemed that way. My intention was never to prioritize him over us. I just felt a responsibility to be there for him during a tough time." Jake sighs, "I get that now. And I appreciate that you're back. I missed you." Madeline smiles, "I missed you too, Jake. And I honestly hope there no more surprises like that."As days pass, Madeline finds a balance between supporting Daniel and maintaining her connect

Marie's eyes well up with tears as she recounts the painful chapter of her life. She pauses, taking a moment to collect herself before continuing with her heartbreaking tale. "It was supposed to be a happy occasion when Ashton proposed," she begins, her voice trembling. "But then he insisted we go to his parents, and I foolishly believed they would be as happy as we were. Instead, they shattered everything." The room falls into an uneasy silence as the weight of Ashton's parents betrayal sinks in. After a deep breath, Marie continues, "His parents told us that I wasn't suitable for Ashton. They needed him to marry into another wealthy family, a business partner's daughter, to secure their position and make more money. It was like my worth was reduced to a business transaction." Madeline, holding back tears, wraps an arm around Marie, offering silent support. Stephanie, her voice laced with anger, remarks, "That's despicable. Using their son's life as a bargaining chip without any rega