237 LISTEN, MADDIE

Exhausted from the activities that took place in court, Madison, Ethan, and Olivia got out of the car tiredly. The atmosphere felt like a weight of distress had been lifted. At least one significant part of their problem was now solved: Nathan was finally behind bars. "Finally, that pain in the ass is out of the way," Olivia breathed a sigh of relief as she wearily walked into the apartment. Madison followed behind, holding her bag, while Ethan made sure the car doors were properly locked. Madison sank into the sofa as soon as she reached the living room. She hadn't uttered a word since they left the court, even during the car ride home. She kept staring out the window. She didn't feel like talking. A huge part of her felt happy and relieved, while another part was simply exhausted. She slowly began to unbuckle her sandals with one hand as she used the other to unband her hair. Ethan had already come inside by this time, and he went straight to the kitchen to get himself cold