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“Marie and I have been thinking about her.”

“Thanks, Paul. I know Sophie would appreciate that.”

Paul pulls his laptop out of his briefcase, then looks at me. “Oddly enough, your little hiatus may have worked to our advantage. The polls are more in your favor this week. Christopher is getting the brunt of negative attention now that the press knows he leaked the documents, and from his own place of employment, no less. The blowback has left a dent in Larry’s previously pristine public image.”

“Well, that’s good news,” Odette says with a smile.

Paul nods. “It is. However, the Democratic candidate has now pulled ahead of both you and Larry.”

“Ah. That’s not so good news.” I frown, then shrug. “Well, no matter what, I still want to make a public apology. I’m done with the lies.”

Odette puts her hand on top of mine. “No more hiding.”

Paul cracks his knuckles. “Alright let’s get to work. I think you should keep it short and sweet, though.”

“You’re the expert,” I say with a smile.

Two hours later, my speech is written and the press conference is set for 10:00 AM the next morning.

Like Odette said: no more hiding.

Chapter 27

Odette

Madden is quiet today, wiping his brow repeatedly as he drives to the courthouse for our press conference. He still holds my hand while he drives, though, absently rubbing his thumb along the back of my palm. I can tell that he’s nervous. I am too. This public apology is much needed, but no one likes to air their regrettable decisions on national TV.

We pull up to the courthouse and Madden parks the car. We get out and check our reflections one more time in the car windows. He looks stately in his dark grey suit and navy blue tie, and I just hope I look presentable in my sage-green sheath dress and nude pumps. The outfits hardly matter, though; they’re not what everyone will be talking about by the end of this.

A crowd of reporters and camera crews are gathered at the foot of the courthouse steps. As soon as they spot us walking from the parking lot, they all rush toward us, taking pictures and asking questions at once. David appears at my other side, putting some distance between me and the cameras.

Madden makes his way up the steps to the small podium Channel Ten News had set up. David takes my arm and guides me over to where my parents stand alongside Madden’s down in the front row. I have a strange sense of deja vu when I remember the last time we were here for Madden’s campaign announcement in January. But instead of Dr. and Mrs. Windell’s eyes beaming with pride, they’re now fraught with worry. Paul and Marie are here, too, standing near the steps a few feet from me.

I’m standing by my parents when, surprisingly, Kate appears from the crowd and sidles up beside me. She laces her arm through mine in solidarity and I can’t help but tear up. It means so much to me that she’s here. Though we haven’t had a chance to talk about it yet, I’m sure that my lies hurt her, too.

Madden clears his throat to get everyone’s attention. The crowd quiets down.

“My fellow Kansans, family, and friends,” he begins, his voice ringing out strongly in spite of the nerves I know he’s fighting. “What began as a strong desire to serve my country turned into lies and desperation to give myself the greatest chance of being elected. I recognize that my actions have given you cause to mistrust me and I deeply apologize for the hurt I’ve inflicted.”

He pauses and looks down at his notes. Clearing his throat again, he suddenly slides his notes to the side. My eyes narrow. What is he doing?

“I had prepared an eloquent speech for today, but I don’t want to wax poetic or fill your ears with meaningless words. The truth is, if I could go back in time, I’d marry Odette Hastings all over again.”

My mouth gapes open as he looks into my eyes. I hear several gasps and murmurs from the crowd.

“I wouldn't marry her to help me get to Congress, though that was, admittedly, my original intention. No, if I could do it all over again, I’d marry her because I’m deeply, madly in love with her. She is an amazing, kind, and genuine person.” He pauses and pulls our now-infamous marriage contract out of his suit pocket. Holding it up for everyone to see, he takes two corners and promptly rips it in half. Another murmur ripples through the crowd. “I should have torn up this stupid two-year contract months ago and convinced Odette to spend all of her days with me instead.

“I would love to be your Kansas state representative for the fourth district. It would undoubtedly be one of the greatest honors of my professional life and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. My platforms are still the same and I’m still passionate about serving you. If you choose not to vote for me because of my deceit, I understand. I will pick myself up, dust myself off, and move forward with my life. But I can’t do that without Odette.

“So, while I sincerely apologize for deceiving you, I will not apologize for marrying her. She is the best decision I’ve ever made.”

My mouth is still gaping as Madden walks down the steps. The news crews, cameramen, and journalists clear a path for him, their cameras trained on him, as he walks toward me with purpose.

But he’s not walking fast enough. I break from the crowd and walk the rest of the distance, meeting him in the middle of the lawn in front of the courthouse. We’re surrounded by people, but I ignore them and focus on Madden. He takes my hands in his and gazes into my eyes. My heart feels like it’s going to burst.

“I love you too, Madden. And I trust you with my heart.” I get up on my tippy toes and bring my lips to his, only pulling back to smile so big that my face hurts. “I’m pretty sure I was smitten since the first time you wore those llama pajama pants.”

“I thought you hated those?” He raises an eyebrow.