Madison’s response came almost immediately. "Chris has some friends over," she wrote back, "but I can try to come over later. Everything okay?"

Jon's thumb hovered over the screen for a moment before he replied, "I went home a little while ago. To talk to Andrea." His heart raced as he sent the message, unsure of what to expect from Madison's reaction. Would she be upset? Jealous? Relieved? He had never been in a situation like this before, where his heart was torn between two women he cared for deeply.

The phone in his hand buzzed almost immediately, not with a text, but with a call. Madison's name flashed across the screen. He took a deep breath and accepted, his heart thudding in his chest. "Jon?" Her voice was thick with worry. "Are you okay?"

He felt a warmth spread through him just from the sound of her voice, a stark contrast to the chill that had settled in his bones from his conversation with Andrea. "Yeah, I'm fine," he lied, his voice strained. ”I just would really like to see you. But if you’re busy…"

"I'll be there," Madison assured him, cutting off his words. "I'll figure something out and come over as soon as I can. Just don’t go anywhere, ok?”

Jon nodded, even though she couldn't see him, and ended the call. He poured himself a drink, the amber liquid glinting in the low light of the Airbnb's living room. The ice cubes clinked against the glass as he sat down heavily on the sofa, the leather cold against his skin. He took a deep drink, feeling the burn of the alcohol as it traveled down his throat. It was a welcome distraction from the chaos in his mind.

His thoughts drifted back to when he and Andrea first started dating, to the days when their love had been fresh and new. They had met at a college party, her warm laugh and bright smile had drawn him in like a moth to a flame. She had been so alive, so full of passion and joy. They had spent hours talking, the chemistry between them palpable. He had been so smitten that he had practically floated home that night, his heart full to bursting with hope.

Their wedding day played out in his mind like a movie reel, the vivid colors and sounds overwhelming his senses. He could almost feel the warmth of the sun on his skin as he watched her walk down the aisle, her eyes locked on his. Her smile had been so radiant that it had seemed to light up the whole world, and he had felt like the luckiest man alive to be standing there, waiting to make her his wife. The way she had looked at him, the love in her eyes, had been a promise of forever.

But now, that promise was tainted by the images that flooded his mind. He saw her in the arms of her lover, her eyes closed in ecstasy as the man kissed her neck, her body arching into his touch. He heard the soft murmurs of their passion, the whispers of sweet nothings that were never meant for his ears. Each imagined scene was like a dagger to his heart, twisting and turning as he pictured her betrayal in vivid detail.

Jon took another sip of whiskey, the burn of the alcohol a welcome distraction from the pain in his chest. He focused on the way the liquid coated his tongue, the warmth that spread through him as he swallowed. It was a futile attempt to drown out the memories, to push away the ache that had taken root in his soul.

The sudden creak of the front door pulled him out of his thoughts, and he looked up as Madison stepped into the room. She paused when she saw him, her eyes scanning his body as if searching for the physical evidence of his emotional turmoil. Her face was a canvas of worry, her eyes dark with concern. She had always been so perceptive, able to read him in a way that no one else ever had.

Without a word, she dropped her bag and rushed towards him, her arms wrapping around him in a fierce embrace. He felt the softness of her body press against his, the warmth of her breath against his neck. Madison didn't ask questions, didn't demand explanations. She just held him, her body a silent promise of comfort and support.

For a moment, Jon allowed himself to just be, to revel in the sweet oblivion of her embrace. It was like sinking into a warm bath after a long, hard day. He took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of her hair, and felt his body start to unclench, muscles he didn't realize were tense slowly relaxing.

"I'm fine," he murmured into her hair, his voice a lie wrapped in the truth. Madison pulled away just enough to look at him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of what he was feeling. Her touch was gentle, almost tentative, as if she were afraid that one wrong move would shatter the fragile peace they had found.

Finally, she spoke. "Do you want to talk about what happened?" Her voice was soft, a whisper that seemed to hold the weight of the world.

He took a deep breath, feeling the whiskey warm his chest. "I went home tonight," he said, his voice low and gruff. "I talked to Andrea."

Madison's grip on him tightened, her thumbs rubbing slow circles on his neck. He could feel the tension in her hands, and the way she held her breath waiting for what came next. But she said nothing, just kept her eyes on him, her gaze filled with understanding.

"Nine months," he finally said, his voice barely above a murmur. Madison's eyes searched his face, confusion clouding her features. "Nine months?" she echoed, the words sounding foreign in the quiet room.

Jon nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor. "That's how long it had been going on," he said, his voice thick with the weight of his revelation. The air grew heavier, charged with the tension of unspoken words and the echoes of a love once lost. Madison's eyes grew wide with shock as she processed his confession, her own heart aching in response to the pain etched on his face.

With a fierce determination, she pulled him closer, her arms wrapping around him like a warm blanket shielding him from the coldness of the world. "Andrea is soulless," Madison murmured against his neck, her voice filled with a passionate conviction. "She never deserved you. Not even for a single moment." He could feel her words in his wounded heart, a gentle reassurance that he wasn't to blame for the mess he found himself in.

A pained sigh escaped from Jon as he shook his head. “She said the same thing, actually. That she never deserved me. I don’t really understand that, to be honest.”

Madison leaned back, looking at him with a mix of pity and anger. “Of course she did,” Madison replied, her voice tinged with a hint of bitterness. “Let me guess. She swore it’s over and she would do anything for a second chance.”

Jon nodded, unable to speak as the weight of the evening’s conversation bore down on him. Madison’s eyes searched his face, reading the pain in his eyes like an open book. With a gentle sigh, she began to stroke his hair, her slender fingers moving through the strands in a soothing pattern that sent shivers down his spine. The way she touched him was almost maternal, as if trying to comfort a scared child, and Jon felt a lump form in his throat.

“What did you tell her?” Madison asked, her voice tentative. She was careful with her words, fully aware of the minefield she was navigating.

“That I needed to leave,” Jon replied, his voice echoing with the finality of a closed door. The confession of his wife's nine-month affair had struck him like a sledgehammer, leaving him reeling and gasping for air. “Once she told me it went on for 9 months, I felt like I got hit by a truck. I just needed to leave,” Jon added, his eyes glazed over with a mix of disbelief and pain.

Madison nodded, her expression a blend of understanding and anger. She stood up before gracefully straddling Jon's lap, her knees tucked beside his thighs. Her gentle hands came up to his tense shoulders, and she began to rub them, her touch tender and affectionate. "Everything is going to be ok, Jon. You’re here with me now," she whispered, her soft voice already beginning to melt away some of the tension in his body.

The warmth of her thighs, the softness of her skin, it all felt so right. Jon closed his eyes, letting out a shaky breath as he leaned his head back against the couch. Madison’s fingers moved up to his neck, working out the knots that formed there. "I don't know how I would have made it through this week without you," Jon said, his voice raw with emotion.

Madison kissed him, her lips tender and soft, the perfect blend of sweetness and heat. For a moment, everything else faded away—the pain of his shattered marriage, the guilt of his secret affair, the fear of what the future held—until all that was left was the feeling of her mouth on his. When she pulled away, Jon's eyes fluttered open to find her smiling at him, a gentle curve of her lips that lit up the room.

Jon's gaze lingered on her, taking in the sight of her perfect makeup. Her eyelashes were thick and dark, framing those piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through him. Her cheeks flushed with a natural blush, and her lips were a rich shade of red that somehow looked both innocent and sinful at the same time. He ran his thumb over his own bottom lip, feeling the remnants of her lipstick. "You look stunning," he murmurs, unable to hide his awe. “I’m not sure I’ve seen you like this.”

Madison giggled playfully, a sound that sent a jolt of excitement through him. She bit her bottom lip, her teeth sinking into the soft flesh just enough to make him ache. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, she reached for the zipper on her hooded sweatshirt and pulled it down, revealing a delicate green satin and lace nightie underneath.

Madison looked at Jon, doe-eyed as she confessed what had been on her mind. “When you texted me that you met with Andrea…I got worried. I’m sorry Jon, I know we talked about it, but I also knew she was going to promise you the world. And I was just worried about what that could mean. For us.”

“Madison…you’re all I can think about. I don’t think I could stop seeing you if I wanted to. And I definitely don’t want to,” Jon reassured.

A sultry smile appeared on Madison’s face as she leaned in close, planting another tender kiss on his cheek. “I’ve never done my hair and make up that fast before,” she snickered, as she let the sweatshirt slip off of her shoulders and hit the floor. Jon’s heart begsn to race as his eyes drank in the sight. “Jon…I came over here fully prepared to convince you to keep seeing me, if she had convinced you otherwise.”

The emerald green satin of her nightie clung to her body, highlighting her curves and leaving just enough to the imagination. The fabric whispered against her skin as she moved, and the way it reflected the light was like watching a mermaid emerge from the sea, all shimmer and promise. Her breasts swelled upwards, the fabric cupping them gently and leaving her nipples erect and visible through the almost see-through fabric. The neckline plunged dangerously low, hinting at the treasure trove of her cleavage, while the hem stopped just above her thighs, teasing him with the promise of what lay beneath.

Madison's confidence was like a drug, intoxicating and addictive. She didn’t just kiss him, she consumed him. Her hands didn’t just wander, they claimed. The way she straddled him, her eyes never leaving his, made him feel like the most important person in the world. And as she reached for his belt, her movements sure and practiced, Jon felt himself getting lost in the storm of passion she brought with her.

Her hand found its way to his cock, and she wrapped her fingers around it with a gentle yet firm grip. “Take me to the bedroom, Jon,” she whispered in his ear, her breath warm and sweet. “Let me make you forget about everything for a little while.”

Jon groaned in response, his body responding to her touch, his thoughts swirling in a tumultuous mix of anger, guilt, and desire. Without a word, he abruptly stood up from the sofa, picking up her petite body with ease. With a swift motion, he slung her over his shoulder, feeling her body tense as she gasped from the suddenness of his action.

"Jon!" she squealed, her laughter filling the quiet house. He couldn't help but smile at her reaction, the sound of her happiness a welcome balm to his weary soul. He felt the tension in his muscles ease a bit as he carried her through the hallway to the bedroom, her playful laughter echoing of the walls.

Gently, he lowered her onto the bed, the mattress giving slightly under her weight. Madison looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with a mix of mirth and something deeper. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the laughter dying away as the weight of their situation settled heavily upon them. There was a silent acknowledgment in that gaze, a shared understanding that their feelings had grown into something far more than just a physical attraction.

With a soft sigh, Madison reached up and pulled him down to her, their bodies pressing together as their mouths collided in a kiss that was both fiery and tender. It was a kiss that spoke of all the words left unsaid, all the fears and desires that lay just beneath the surface. Jon's hands found her hips, his grip firm but gentle as he held her in place, their kiss growing more urgent with every passing second.

Madison's hands roamed over his chest, her fingertips tracing the contours of his muscles, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath her touch. As she broke the kiss, she whispered against his mouth, "Do you feel it too?" Her eyes searched his, looking for the answer that she so desperately needed to hear.

Jon nodded, the vulnerability in his gaze laying bare his soul. He knew he had fallen for her, despite the complex web of friendship, loyalty, and betrayal that surrounded them. Madison's eyes grew soft, her own feelings reflected in the pools of emotion that swirled within. They had danced around their undeniable chemsitry for weeks, but now it was out in the open, a raw and undeniable force that bound them together.

Without another word, Madison leaned in, her mouth finding Jon's in a kiss that was fierce and hungry. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as if she could meld their very beings together with the power of their connection. Her tongue danced with his, a silent declaration of the depth of her feelings, a promise of what was to come.

Her movements were swift and decisive as she pushed him back onto the bed, her legs straddling his waist. The satin of her nightie whispered against his skin, sending a thrill through his body that made him ache with need. Madison's eyes, so full of passion and desire, bore into his as she began to move her hips in slow, tantalizing circles, grinding herself against his growing arousal. The friction was exquisite, a delicious torture that had him gripping the sheets tightly.

"I need to feel you inside of me," Madison whispered, her voice a seductive caress that sent shivers down his spine. Her hand slipped down to his waistband and slid off his boxer briefs with a teasing slowness that made his breath hitch. Jon felt the heat of her hand as she took hold of him again, her fingertips grazing his length before wrapping around him, stroking gently.

But as he reached for the box of condoms, his heart skipped a beat. It was empty. "Fuck," he murmured under his breath, his eyes widening in panic. “I forgot we used all the condoms already,” Jon groaned with disappointment. Madison pulled back, looking at him affectionately and with playful amusement.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned over him, her breasts brushing against his chest. “Jon,” she whispered, her breath hot against his ear. “We don’t need to use those anymore, if you don’t want to,” Madison purred, her teeth playfully biting her bottom lip.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Jon sat up, his eyes searching hers for any hint of doubt or hesitation. Madison’s expression remained unchanged, a soft smile playing on her lips, her gaze filled with love and desire. “What are you saying?” he managed to ask, his voice hoarse with want.

“I’m saying that I’m on the pill…that I trust you and you can trust me,” Madison purred softly as she leaned in closer, placing gentle kisses on Jon’s cheek and neck. “I’m saying that I want to really feel you. Do you want to really feel me, Jon?” Madison asked with a soft whisper that she placed gently into Jon’s ear, as she continued slowly teasing Jons cock with the delicate tips of her fingers.

Jon’s cock responded to her question before his mind even processed that one was asked, stiffening and throbbing hard in her hand in response. Madison let out a soft giggle, excited by Jon’s eagerness to feel closer to her. It was a silent but powerful affirmation, his body immediately screaming 'yes' to her, as Jon groaned from her gentle touch.

"I’ll take that as a yes," Madison murmured with a mischievous smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement. The words hung in the air for a moment, the anticipation thick and palpable as she stared at him with a look that was both playful and hungry. Jon nodded vigorously, his mouth unable to form coherent words, his breath coming out in shaky moans. "Fuck...yes, yes I want that" he finally managed to murmur, his eyes glazed with desire.

Madison leaned back, her legs still straddling him as she positioned herself perfectly over Jon's erection. She took his cock in her hand and began to rub the sensitive head back and forth between her slick folds, the wetness of her pussy coating him in a way that made him gasp. Each pass of his cock against her clit sent waves of pleasure through her body, her walls clenching with want. The sensation was for Jon exactly what he had already imagined, a warm, wet heaven that beckoned him to dive in and never come out.

With a soft whimper, she kissed him again, her tongue slipping into his mouth as she began to lower herself onto him. It was a slow, agonizing descent, their bodies joining in a way that was more than just physical. The feeling was electric, as if their bodies had been waiting for this moment their entire lives. Each inch of him filling her brought a gasp from her lips, her eyes never leaving his as she took him deeper. Jon could feel the tightness of her grip around him, the way she was stretching to accommodate his size, the way her muscles clenched and released as she sank down. When she was fully seated, Jon groaned into her mouth, the feel of her bare, tight heat almost too much to handle.

For a moment, they both just sat there, panting and trembling with the intensity of the moment. They stared into the eyes of one another, their bodies joined as one, feeling the most intimate connection either had ever experienced. It was as if every inch of their skin was alive, every nerve ending singing with the pleasure of being this close to the other.

"Madison," Jon began, his voice a strained whisper, "it feels..." He paused, searching for the right words to express the tumult of emotions that crashed through him. Madison's smile grew wider as she watched him, her eyes filled with a gentle amusement. "You feel..." he tried again, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the words that could possibly do justice to what he was feeling.

But Madison knew. Somehow, she knew him better than anyone ever had, it seemed. "It feels like you're exactly where you belong," she finished for him, her voice a sweet caress that sent a shiver down his spine. And with those words, she felt him throb inside her, his body echoing the sentiment with a primal need that washed away any doubt or hesitation.

Jon nodded in agreement with Madison’s words, his eyes wide with astonishment. It was as if she had read his mind, had plucked the very thought from the tumult of his thoughts and given it voice. Madison's smile grew even wider, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous light as she began to rock her hips, taking him deeper with every movement. “It’s because you are where you belong, Jon,” she repeated, her voice a silky whisper that made him want to stay inside of her forever.

The feeling of her bare pussy was like nothing he had ever experienced before. It was as if she had been crafted solely for his pleasure, every inch of her designed to make him lose control. The warmth, the wetness, the way she tightened around him like a silk vice with each stroke—it was a symphony of sensation that left him utterly at her mercy. He had never felt so open, so alive with need and desire that it was almost painful.

Madison leaned back and lifted the nightie over her head, revealing herself to him in all her glory. Her breasts bounced free, the green satin fabric sliding over her skin like a lover's caress. Jon’s eyes widened as he took in the sight of her, the soft curves of her waist, the flare of her hips, the perfect handfuls of her breasts. Her nipples were hard, standing proudly against the cool air of the room, begging for his touch. And as she began to rock her hips again, he couldn’t help but feel like the most powerful man in the world.

With a growl, Jon sat up and claimed one of her nipples with his mouth, suckling it gently. Madison's eyes rolled back in her head, a soft moan escaping her lips as she felt the warmth of his mouth enveloping her sensitive peak. The sensation was exquisite, sending a bolt of pleasure straight to her core. Her walls clamped down around his cock in response, the muscles contracting and releasing in a delicious rhythm that had him groaning.

"Madison," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion, "I need you. I'm lost without you." His words were like a key to a lock inside her, something she had been longing to hear. Her body trembled at the declaration, the intimacy of the moment only heightening her senses. Madison leaned back, her hands cupping his cheeks, holding him as if she never wanted to let go.

"Say it again," she breathed, her voice barely audible, her eyes searching his for any hint of doubt. But there was none, only raw, unfiltered need. "I need you Maddie," he repeated, his eyes locked on hers as he spoke the truth that had been festering within him since their first kiss. It was a declaration that resonated through the room, echoing the tumult of her own feelings.

Her response was instant and visceral. Madison’s pussy clamped down on his cock, her walls tightening around him, the sensation so intense it stole his breath. Her eyes widened with pleasure, and she pushed him gently back onto the bed, taking control once more. Jon didn’t resist; he was putty in her hands, a willing participant in this dance of passion they had created together.

“Look at me Jon,” Madison said, her voice softer this time, a gentle command that he couldn’t ignore. Her gaze was like a lifeline, a beacon in the storm of his thoughts. He met her eyes, the intensity of her stare holding him captive as she began to move her hips in a slow, deliberate rhythm that had him groaning with pleasure. The way she watched him, as if he were the only thing that mattered in the world, made his heart race and his pulse pound in his ears.

Madison leaned in close, pressing her lips softly to his ear as if she had a secret for Jon and only Jon to hear. “I want you to come inside me Jon” she whispered, her eyes never leaving his, her voice like a siren’s call. The words sent a shiver down his spine, the raw intimacy of her request stripping away the last of his inhibitions. It was a declaration of trust, a promise of a deeper connection that went beyond the physical. He could see in her eyes that she meant it, that she craved this closeness, this oneness that could only come from such an act.

“Oh fuck,” Jon exclaimed as he slowly began to nod his head, his eyes widening with a mix of shock and excitement. Madison’s smile grew, knowing she had struck a chord deep within him. She watched as his expression morphed from one of surprise to one of pure, unbridled lust. The way she moved on him, her hips rolling in a rhythm that seemed to be choreographed by the gods of passion themselves, was driving him wild. Each stroke brought him closer to the edge, and the thought of filling her, of leaving a part of himself inside her, was almost too much to bear.

"Maddie," he panted, his voice strained as she took him deeper, stroking his throbbing shaft with a sensual dance of her hips. “Maddie, I... I want to... I need to..." The words tumbled from his mouth, a jumbled mess of passion and need.

Madison leaned in closer, her breath warm against his cheek. "I know, baby. I want you to," she whispered, her eyes never leaving his. "Come for me Jon," she urged, her voice a siren's call that resonated through his soul. "I want to feel you fill me up inside."

Jon's eyes rolled back as he felt the beginnings of his orgasm coil in his gut, the pleasure building with every stroke of her hips. Madison's inner walls tightened around him, her movements growing more erratic as she approached her own climax. "Oh God," he groaned, his voice strained with passion. "Madison...I'm...I'm going to..."

Her eyes lit up with excitement, her smile growing wider as she leaned in to whisper, "Yes, baby. Give it to me." Her words were a command that resonated through him, finally bursting the dam of pleasure and intimacy she had built within him. With a guttural roar that seemed to come from the very depths of his soul, Jon’s cock erupted inside her, his toes curling as his body convulsed with the intensity of the moment. Instinctively, Madisons hips slowed into a deep and deliberate milking motion, as if she were trying to coax every last drop from him. “That’s it baby, just let it out. Give it all to me,” she continued to encourage, her blue eyes still locked on his, unwavering in her gaze.

The sensation of Jon’s warm essence filling her inside was like a bolt of lightning through Madison’s core, setting her own body alight with a climax so powerful it was almost blinding. Her eyes widened as she screamed out her release, her nails digging into his shoulders as her pussy spasmed around him. It was an orgasm that seemed to last forever, her entire body trembling with the force of it. Her eyes never left his, and she felt a tear slip down her cheek as she came, the intensity of the emotional connection just as overwhelming as the physical.

As the last tremor of her climax subsided, Madison collapsed onto Jon's chest, her body a puddle of pure bliss. His arms wrapped around her like steel bands, holding her so tight it was as if he could somehow keep her with him forever. Their hearts pounded in unison, a wild rhythm that seemed to shake the very foundations of the room.

For a moment, they lay there in silence, the only sound the harsh gasps for air that filled the space between them. Madison felt the warmth of Jon’s seed still inside her, a reminder of the bond they had just forged. It was a bond that went beyond the physical, a connection that had grown from the shared pain of their marriages and the passion that had been simmering between them for so long.

With a gentle smile, she began to kiss him, her soft lips moving in a pattern that was both random and purposeful. She kissed his forehead, the tip of his nose, the corners of his eyes, his cheeks, and his chin. Each kiss was a whispered promise of love and adoration, a silent declaration of her commitment to him. Madison’s eyes remained closed as she savored the feel of his skin against her lips, her movements slow and deliberate, as if she were committing every inch of him to memory.

As Jon felt her kisses, he was struck by the absence of any of the guilt or regret he expected to find within. The weight of his failed marriage, the extent of Andrea’s affair, or the fact that he just made love to another woman should have been crushing him, but instead, there was only a deep, unshakable contentment that filled his soul. It was as if Madison had climbed on top of him and somehow vanquished all of the pain and fear he held within. The softness of her skin, the smell of her hair, the steady beat of her heart—it was all so familiar and yet so new. He had never felt satisfied within, so content with love and passion and need.

Looking at her, Jon was utterly captivated by Madison’s beauty. She looked like a goddess layong on his chest in the dim light of the room, her rose golden hair a halo around her flushed face. Her eyes, those pools of cerulean blue, pierced into is soul with ease, and he found himself lost in them. The glow of her skin, the curve of her hips, the swell of her breasts—it was as if he were seeing her for the first time, every feature a revelation that made his heart ache with a newfound appreciation.

Madison was not a rare beauty, she was an impossible beauty. In ancient times, Madison was the kind of woman that Kings fought wars over, Jon thought to himself.

Her cheeks flushed a soft pink as she felt his gaze linger over her. Madison had always been the type of woman who could make you believe she didn’t know she was being watched, even when she was the center of attention. But with Jon, she knew. She knew his eyes were on her, and it filled her with a warmth that went beyond the afterglow of their lovemaking. She giggled lightly, the sound a sweet symphony in the quiet room, and turned to look at him. “What are you thinking about?” she asked playfully, her voice a soft caress in the stillness.

“I’m thinking about how that was the most incredible sex I’ve ever had in my life,” Jon began, his voice thick with emotion. Madison's smile grew as she waited for him to continue, her heart fluttering with anticipation. "That I’ve never felt so connected to anyone before. I’m thinking about how I didn’t even know a woman like you could exist, and somehow you’re here in bed with me, and that just blows my mind,” Jon confessed, the words suddenly and rapidly spilling out from him.

Madison’s eyes searched his, a hint of surprise flickering in them. She had known the depth of her own feelings, but to hear Jon express something so profound was like a dream come true. “Me?” she shot back incredulously. “Jon, you made me cum so hard you literally made me cry,” Madison teased, causing Jon to laugh, the sound warm and genuine.

Her laughter subsided, and a wistful expression took over her face as she propped herself up on one elbow, tracing his jawline with her fingertips. Madison’s mind drifted into an impossible daydream, painting a vivid picture of another life, where she and Jon were husband and wife. Where every night she would fall asleep in his arms, and every morning she would awake next to him, their legs still tangled in one another’s. She could imagine all of the little moments with Jon; kissing him goodbye as he left for work, listening to the highlights of each other’s days at the dinner table, making love to him each night with a passion that never seemed to dwindle or fade.

Her fingers traced her flat stomach, as her imagination began to wander further. She could almost picture a tiny bump, could imagine her belly becoming round, growing with new life. Madison’s eyes filled with tears as she thought about the child they would never have, a little boy or girl with Jon’s dark hair and her blue eyes.

The bittersweetness of the thought washed over her, a poignant reminder of the precariousness of their situation, the life choices that they both had made long ago, and were far too late to be undone.