Chapter 2

I tried to settle into the sofa bed that night, its thin mattress betraying every metal bar underneath. The sounds of the ocean should have been soothing, but all I could hear was Madison's laughter drifting from the master bedroom—my rightful bedroom. I punched my pillow into a more comfortable shape and tried to ignore the sting of tears behind my eyelids.

The bathroom door clicked open. I squinted against the sudden flood of light, then froze.

Madison stood in the doorway, backlit like some Victoria's Secret model. She wore a sheer black negligee that left nothing to the imagination, her perfect silhouette clearly visible through the translucent fabric.

"Oh!" she exclaimed with exaggerated surprise. "I didn't realize you were still awake."

I pulled the sheet higher, suddenly feeling frumpy in my cotton pajamas. "Just... trying to get comfortable."

She sauntered to the kitchenette, the negligee riding high on her thighs. "Jake always did prefer silk against his skin," she remarked casually, filling a glass with water. "He has such... specific tastes, doesn't he?"

The implication hung in the air between us. I said nothing, my throat tight with humiliation.

"Well, goodnight!" She wiggled her fingers in a little wave before gliding back to the master bedroom.

I lay awake for hours, replaying her words. *Jake always did prefer...* The past tense. The familiarity. The casual confidence with which she spoke about my boyfriend's preferences.

Morning brought no relief. I emerged from an uncomfortable sleep to find Madison lounging on the balcony in a white bikini that seemed designed more for a photoshoot than actual swimming. The triangles of fabric barely covered her essentials as she stretched languidly in the morning sun.

"Morning, sleepyhead," Jake called from the kitchenette, not even glancing my way. "Coffee's ready."

I shuffled to the counter, acutely aware of my bedhead and puffy eyes. "Thanks," I mumbled, pouring a cup. Gathering my courage, I added, "Can we talk about something?"

"Sure, what's up?" He scrolled through his phone, still not looking at me.

"I'm just... a little uncomfortable with how Madison is dressed," I whispered, nodding toward the balcony. "It feels a bit inappropriate."

Jake's head snapped up, his expression hardening. "Seriously? That's what you want to talk about?"

"It's just—"

"God, Lauren, you're being ridiculous." He lowered his voice, glancing toward Madison. "She's just comfortable in her own skin. Don't be so insecure."

"I'm not insecure," I protested. "But this was supposed to be our trip, and—"

"And what? You're jealous?" His eyes narrowed. "That's really unattractive, you know that?"

The accusation hit like a slap. Was I being jealous? Unreasonable? I suddenly wasn't sure anymore.

"I'm going to shower," I mumbled, retreating to the bathroom, the one place I could be alone.

By the time we headed to the resort's famous water park, my skin was crawling with anxiety. I'd layered on SPF 70 and wore a wide-brimmed hat, knowing my sun sensitivity would be a problem in the Florida heat.

"This way," Jake said, guiding Madison toward a separate entrance marked 'VIP Access.'

"What about me?" I called after them.

Jake turned, looking annoyed at having to stop. "We only have two VIP passes. Just use the regular entrance—we'll meet you at the wave pool."

"But—" I started, but they were already walking away, Madison's arm looped through Jake's.

I stared at the regular entrance line that snaked around the corner, at least a hundred people deep. The sun beat down mercilessly, and I could already feel my sensitive skin prickling beneath my clothes.

As I took my place at the end of the line, a bead of sweat trickled down my spine. The wait would be at least an hour in this heat. Jake knew about my condition—how could he leave me here?

Fifty minutes later, my vision started to blur. The world tilted sideways as black spots danced before my eyes. I heard someone shout as my knees buckled and the scorching pavement rushed up to meet me.

My last thought before darkness claimed me was that Jake wasn't there to catch me.