Chapter 3: The Runaway and the Rival

Especially the marionette show—pretty rare around here. Maddie and I couldn’t take our eyes off it.

"Miss, you look just like the hero in the show—brave and unstoppable!"

All the way back, we kept chatting about the puppets, not wanting the day to end. The streets glowed with the last of the golden sunlight, and for a little while, it felt like we were just two regular girls, not trapped in some high-society soap opera.

"I want to see if the Governor’s fiancée is really that fearless!"

"Harrison!"

Who would’ve guessed Harrison was hiding behind the hedge, suddenly popping up and scaring me so badly I dropped to my knees.

My head was practically buried in the grass. Just my luck—caught by Harrison!

This is it…

Shaking, I looked up and offered him the caramel apple in my hand.

"Harrison, I brought you this caramel apple!"

I grinned, hoping he’d let me off easy since I thought of him while I was out.

But I saw his face get even darker in the streetlight…

Huh? He doesn’t like caramel apples?

I jumped up to grab the funnel cake from Maddie.

Only then did I notice Maddie was kneeling too, her snacks scattered everywhere.

Saltwater taffy, fudge brownies, cupcakes, chili dogs… all my favorites, now all over the sidewalk.

Looking at my half-eaten caramel apple, now stuck with grass,

Great. Now he probably thinks I’m a slob. No wonder Harrison looks so disgusted.

My legs gave out, and I knelt again, whining:

"Sorry, Harrison, Rosie didn’t mean it. Next time you’ll definitely get your share!"

"There’s a next time?"

Harrison came closer, voice low.

"No, no."

He dragged me back to my room. Thankfully, he only made me write out ‘The Good Wife’s Guide’ fifty times. (Like writing lines as punishment in school.)

When I was a kid, whenever I fought with my brother, Dad made me copy out passages as punishment. Now, I can do it from memory!

I cheerfully agreed and had Maddie get paper and a pen.

But Harrison didn’t leave.

I only dared to sneak a peek at him. Was he going to give me another punishment? I quietly asked:

"Harrison, isn’t this enough…"

He snorted, looking like he was about to give me a lecture, then stormed off to Elena’s room.