"Don't cry...it'll be okay." I rub the middle of her back and use a relaxing tone.

"How can you say that? What if the protests never end...?"

"The mob will move on to another target, that's how it works."

"I don't know..." Madi buries her head into my chest. "I don't know if I want the studio anymore." Her voice is so tiny...so vulnerable.

"Don't give up. Backing down from the launch will make you seem guilty." I heave a sigh. "I know this is a lot, but you just gotta hang on."

"What if I can't?" My bunny mumbles, defeatedly.

"You can." I snuggle her all the way home. Her eyes are red. A popping vein in her forehead concerns me. The news shattered her. I have to fix this. Today was supposed to be a day for celebrating. I have to cheer Madi up.

Helen greets us in the foyer. "Hello, dear fiancés." She grins.

"Hi, Helen." Madi's tone is hoarse. She sounds exhausted.

"Are you getting a cold?" Hel worries, she checks Madi's temperature, placing a palm to her forehead.

"No...I'm just a little tired."

"You'll love the sunroom," I suggest. "There's a daybed, you should take a nap. And maybe have some tea."

"I recommend ginger with lemon and turmeric."

"That sounds great, thank you." She gives me a sweet hug before departing. Our maid shows her the way. I let out a sigh.

The yacht outing can't happen today, she's conflicted. There has to be another way to lighten her mood. She thinks everyone is against her.

Helen returns, making her way across to the kitchen. "Wait."

She halts and spins around. "What can I do for you?"

"Madison could use some positivity."

"What has her so down?"

"False allegations."

"Ah, the usual...I should have figured that."

"Maybe reading fan mail will help."

"Oh, that's perfect, I'll gather the sweetest ones."

"Thank you."

MADISON

I need space. I can't be strong like Jace wants me to be. My soul tore apart. My heart broke. Hearing people make me out to be a monster. Being called a pedophile! This is too much! This world is too much! This life is too much! I didn't want to say this, but Jace would have probably taken it the wrong way. He's not the problem here...but hearing me admit this would've made him feel like he was. I'm not as strong as him.

I'm trying to bounce back as best as I can. But I can't control my emotions all the time. Today felt like a knife to my heart. I'm not evil! I wouldn't harm the most innocent and precious beings on this planet. I just want to help kids enjoy dancing. See their wild energy and giant smiles and witness their contagious laughter. That's all. I don't want to be painted as a creepy woman...

I exhale, rubbing my temples. Helen lays a tray before me. A teapot, a cup, and a stack of letters are on it. The first two I was expecting, but the last one is a surprise. "I brought some fan mail along with the tea."

"Oh...thank you."

"There are also gifts, but those are too huge to lug over."

"Gifts?"

"Yes, a room full. If you're up for it, we can open some."

"Maybe later." My phone buzzes from my pocket. I count six jolts. I slip it out and power it off. I'm not in the mood to cry again and work myself up. My head hurts. "Could you take my phone? I need to go AWOL for a while." I give it to her.

"I understand. Get some rest."

It turns out "for a while" meant three days. I guess I'm depressed. I shouldn't be. I'm now a millionaire and am president of a country club. I should be on Jace's yacht with my family, toasting and having fun. Instead, I'm tucked away in this sunroom on a jumbo daybed. I'm checked on throughout the day by my lovebug, who's worried about my fragility. Jace won't say he is, he dances around the fact that he's troubled by my isolation.Helen brings more letters, which is great. It's nice to know I still have fans.

I read dozens of them a day and respond to every last one. I haven't held a pen in years. Even in high school I never got so many hand cramps. But I soldier through it because I need to avoid the news. Being away from my phone all these days is helping. Not just because I can't go on Twitter or Google, but because of my inquiring family. I don't want to talk about it at all. I left the topic in the past. Now I just want to find a better way to use my energy.

I'm better on the fourth day. I leave the classy sunroom. I find a shock on my way out. "Alonso??" I squint. "When did you get back?"

"A few days ago."

"Have you been guarding this door the whole time?"

"Yes...I'm as quiet as a ninja."

"I see." I titter. "Nice seeing you again." I near the stairs. He follows after. "What have you been up to?"

"Top secret activities."

"I have a feeling you've encountered aliens."

"I can neither deny nor confirm."

"I'll just ask Jace." Downstairs smells of apples and peaches. I find out why once I reach the kitchen. Helen whipped up flavored pancakes and French toast. "That smells delicious!"

"I wish it were a perfume." She jabs.

I search the room for my baby. "Where's Jace?"

"Another blackout meeting this time with POTUS." Alonso answers.

"Hmmm..." I eye him curiously. "It's either robots or aliens."

"Or both." He toys with me.

"He'll tell me. I'm in need of my phone." Helen opens a kitchen drawer to hand over my phone.

"We'll see." Alonso grabs a plate.

"We will." I hop onto the stool and fill my plate. I knew what to expect as soon as I turned on my phone. My family group chat. Panicked messages.

I text: I'm better now, just needed a few days. You guys should come over. I'm opening fan gifts later.

The next text is to Jace:

I love you ❤️ can't wait to hear all the government secrets tonight 😏

After breakfast, I go to the room full of gifts. Alonso assists me. For some reason, he has a handheld metal detector. Does he honestly expect a bomb to be in one of the packages??? My fam arrives, sharing long hugs and sentimental stares. My mom tries reading my soul through my eyes...I swear she has telekinetic superpowers. "You're not evil." She comforts me.

"I know."

"Keep going with the studio, don't let those bitches kill the dream." My Lilly claps to emphasize her words.

"Be the star that you are, boo." Jess seconds.

My dad goes in for another hug. "Your girls are right."

"We always are." Lil brags.

"Mom, he's trying to suffocate me again!" I snort, secretly enjoying his bear hug.

"Paul." Mom sniggers. "Free your daughter."

"Oh, alright." Dad releases me.

"Wow, are all these from your fans?" Mom steps to the stacks of presents.

"Yep."

"What's up, secret service man?" My father greets Alonso.

"Just taking precautions." He scans the pile of gifts with the metal detector. "Some fans send crazy presents."

"What? Like bombs?" Lil deduces.

"Maybe."

"Are these safe to open or should we wait until later?" Dad gets protective, he pulls mom away from the presents.

"That stack is safe." He points to one before him. "Trust me, I have this," he wiggles the detector, "and echolocation."

"Echolocation?" My dad squints.

"I spent 3 months under Artic Sea training in a soundproof cage."

"3 months?" I blink, amazed.

"Underwater?" Dad fanboys over this like a geeked teenager.

"175 feet under."

"Whoa!" My dad continues to idolize him. "That's superhuman!"

"I agree...my hearing range is ultra-defined. 3mile radius. If there were bombs here, I'd know. But one can never be too careful."

"Echo Man is your new name." Lil cracks.

"I accept that." He smiles to the side, then goes on scanning.

I unwrap decorative boxes. I'm glad I waited for my crew, it's funner ripping up gifts with a group of people. Self-portraits of myself and Jace. Jewelry. Teddy bears. Fur coats. Perfume. Imported candy and wine. Dresses. Heels. My eyes mist up. This is exactly what I needed. We spend the rest of the night unwrapping and eagerly naming each gift.

Jace texts me once I'm in bed:

I love you bunny 🐰🤍🤍

And I don't want to scare you 👀

Me: Why would I get scared?

Jace: 👽🤖

"Really, Alonso?!" I sigh.

Me: Your bodyguard told you

Jace: Nope...there's actually an invasion of alien robots 👽🤖

I call. "You're so obvious...even through text."

"Okay...don't believe me."

"Show me proof."

"I don't want to scare you."

"You're full of it, Jace." I laugh.

"I heard you had a good day."

"I did, it felt like Christmas."

"Are you up for more fun?"

I roll over onto my stomach and kick my legs back and forth. "What do you have in mind?"

"The Scopic phone design. You'll be in charge of it tomorrow."

"What? Ahhh!" I hop up from the bed. "No way! Are you serious??"

He snickers. "I'm serious."