Madison Lowsley walked into the kitchen. She looked at her dad and smiled. Madison knew how much she loved her dad, even if the two of them weren't that close. Still, she knew he always tried for her, and she was grateful for it all.

"Hey, are you okay?" Simon asked as he looked at his daughter.

Madison looked at her dad and smiled. "I'm okay, Dad. My head's a mess. I'm tired. Have you spoken to Mum?" she asked.

She knew her parents weren't together. She knew she stayed with her dad for a few days each week, and she knew her mum was in a relationship. As much as she loved her mum and preferred spending time there, she also knew her mum always wanted her to have a relationship with her dad.

"She's back from her weekend away later," Simon said. "She said she misses you. You're going to be late for school if you don't get dressed. I know things have been difficult between your mum and me, but I'll do whatever I can to keep you safe. I always will. Your mum and I broke up, but we agreed we'd always put you first. I know I've been a bit AWOL lately, but I promise you're my main priority."

"You don't need to worry, Dad. I know you always do what's best for me. I'm going to get dressed," Madison said as she walked out of the room.

Simon looked down as his phone rang.

"Yeah, now's not a good time... I'm with my daughter... I'll tell her about us in my own time. Madison comes first," he said before hanging up with a sigh.

He had no idea how he was going to tell Madison that he had met someone.

⸻

Madison walked into school and met up with her friends.

"When is your mum back?" Lauren asked.

"Later on."

"Do you not find it weird that she's with Clarkson and he's, like, your stepdad?" Lauren asked.

"No. Tom's nice. He treats me like his own, and he makes my mum happy," Madison said.

Max Tyler walked down the hallway and looked at Madison.

"Madison, pull your skirt down," he said.

"You know, sir, that's a very suggestive comment. It's very inappropriate," she replied.

Max glared at her. He knew Madison had no respect for the rules and would not listen to him in the slightest.

"Would you like to spend the day in the cooler?" he asked.

Madison rolled her eyes. "If it gets me out of PE, then I'm up for it."

Max glared again.

"Take this as your warning, or you'll spend the rest of the day in the cooler. Just wait until your mother gets back."

Madison smirked. "You know, it makes you sound like my dad — and you're not him. I mean, yeah, I have daddy issues, but that's been there since my parents split. But I am not going to call you Daddy, sir."

She walked off while Max watched her with narrowed eyes.

He knew he wanted to put Madison Lowsley in line, and he wasn't going to take this attitude from her — not when he was the executive head.

⸻

Madison got back to her mum's house and smiled when she saw Sophie.

"Mum," she said as she walked over.

Sophie pulled her daughter into a hug and smiled. "Hi, baby."

"Hi, Mum. I missed you. I really did. Did you have a good time with your dad?"

"Yeah, it was okay. You know what my dad's like. I'd rather be here with you. You know that," Madison said.

Sophie smiled. "Well, Tom's taking a shower upstairs. I'm too tired to cook. I know you got into trouble with Mr Tyler again, and we'll talk about that later, but what do you say we get a Chinese and all watch a movie together in front of the TV? I know he isn't your dad, but we're still a family in a way, and he loves you."

"Tom's great. He makes you happy, and I know all that you and Dad went through. I know you deserve to be happy, and Tom is nice to me. He seems to pay more attention to me than my own dad does," Madison admitted.

"It's just your dad. You know what he's like. But he does love you, my darling. I promise," Sophie said gently.

Madison smiled. She knew how complicated her relationship with her dad was.

⸻

Madison stood in the kitchen as Tom walked in.

"Hey, you okay, Madison?" he asked.

"I'm okay, Tom. You and Mum look like you had a good time."

"We did. I've booked another holiday, but this time I want my favourite girl to come. Don't tell your mum I said that," Tom joked with a smile. "I know I'm not your dad, but I do love you like my own."

Madison smiled softly. "I know. And I know you're not my real dad, but you're like a dad to me. It means a lot."

Tom smiled at her. "I'll always care for you, no matter what. I know things are difficult with your dad, but you'll always be family here."

Madison looked at him and smiled.

She knew how much it all meant to her, and she knew that here, in this house, she felt like part of a real family.

But she had no idea about the secrets her dad was keeping from her — or just how much her life was about to change.