What Was And What Is

Eleven months ago, Madison Hart received the phone call that changed everything.

Her parents were gone.

Since then, Madison has stopped living and started simply existing. She leaves college behind, shuts people out, and keeps the memories of her old life packed away where they can't hurt her.

Then, on a rainy evening, someone from that old life comes knocking.

Liam Carter.

Her childhood best friend. The boy she hasn't seen in nine years. The person she thought belonged safely in the past.

But Liam is no longer the boy Madison remembers-and the feelings growing between them are becoming impossible to ignore.

As their friendship slowly turns into something deeper, Liam brings laughter back into a life Madison thought had gone permanently quiet. He challenges her to face the memories she's been running from, while Madison reminds him of the parts of himself he left behind when he moved away.

But falling in love doesn't erase grief.

Madison still has to face the trauma, fear, and loneliness she's carried for years. And the closer she gets to Liam, the more terrifying it becomes to let herself love someone again.

Because love means hope.

And hope means having something to lose.

Sometimes healing isn't about forgetting the people you've lost.

Sometimes it's about finding the courage to love, laugh, and live again.

#60 in forgiveness
#595 in depression