First of all, I will say that I love this story.  There is so much more going on than has not yet been revealed.  A lot of people are condemning Madi, Dante, etc and while I understand their POV I feel that all of the background story hasn't been revealed yet for me to pass judgment.  Besides its just a story born out of the imagination of K Carr and my hat is off to her because it grips you by the throat for sure.  

I went back and reread a bit of the background of the characters which in itself is intriguing.  Madi lost both parents at the tender age of 6.  She blames herself for that.  An aunt, her father's sister a woman she'd never heard of or laid eyes on before comes and gets her and takes her from her home in England to America.  This woman told a six year old that she and her now deceased father were on the outs because of her mother and then the aunt makes a comment to Madi that she looks just like her mother.  How does a six year old process all of this:  dead parents, new homeland, strange relatives all at once, an aunt who made it clear right off the bat that she didn't like her mother and then tells the child that she looks just like her so don't give her any trouble.  

Now I wonder did the aunt get her any type of counseling?  I'm sure that'll come out later.  (Chapter 4 gives this background).  

Dante and her became friends because her aunt and his mother were friends.  They both danced and for some reason Dante decided not to abandon her for his career but stuck by her side.  Yes they've been close since she was seven.  I'm not passing judgment on their relationship because he made it clear that the mess she is now is a lot better than the mess she was in the beginning. Who knows what happened in those early years that made him keep a close eye on her.  If drinking is better than what she used to do, there's no telling what dark road she went down in previous years.

I don't think that there's any romantic feelings towards her from Dante.  He's been there for 21 years.  I think he see's himself as her protector, her brother.  He isn't bothered by Matt being her boyfriend.  He has a girlfriend.  I think that Madi was crushing on him a bit because he looked after her. I never took advantage of her crushing on him.

Even though I don't agree with the drinking etc, if a person insists on self destructive behavior to deal with something, who can stop them? What could Dante have done short of trying to have her committed?   I still refuse to pass judgment on Madi because if the aunt never got her the help she needs, then that would explain the mess she is now.  However until she decides that she wants to change, NO ONE NOT EVEN MATT CAN CHANGE HER.

I still have my parents.  I can't imagine or possibly know how I would have turned out being in that situation, especially with an Aunt who tells her off the bat to basically suck it up.

While there are those readers who are irritated by her behavior and can say what she "should be doing"  no one knows how they would have turned out if they'd been in that situation as a six year old.

I think that there are layers to Madi's personality that are being revealed little by little and I can't wait for more to be revealed.   

In chapter 34 she stated that family was important which was why she didn't want to tell Matt what Grumps said to her.  She didn't wan't to be the one to cause a separation so she kept quiet.  She wants family no matter how messed up they are. She knows what it feels like to miss someone that you love and she doesn't want to do that to Matt.

Now I don't know what else  K Carr is going to reveal about Madi, her mental stability, her desire to hold onto whatever family she has regardless of how unhealthy it may be, but I'm here for the long haul.  It was interesting to me that back in Chapter 4  Dante relayed in his conversation with Madi just how much her aunt HAS NOT SUPPORTED HER, yet she does whatever the aunt says because she's family and Madi wants to hold onto whatever family she has left regardless of how she's treated.

It will be interesting to me to see how Matt deals with it and what he does to help her move forward.  Since he's checked into everyone's background, maybe he needs to try to find out what help she got in the past (if any) by talking to Dante and coming up with a plan to get her to talk to someone now.  Even though she may go back to being "normal"  for a while, it's a ticking clock and I'm sure that everyone wants to get off of that boat before the next birthday comes around.

This story deserves to be published!  It's funny, yet tragic and it has people engrossed in it which is why everyone is so passionate about it.  Even though some say they are irritated by the last few chapters, I can bet that they will come back for more once more chapters are added.  Good job.  K Carr!!! 

Agree with invictus re madi's r/ship with Dante.  And compared to Matt Dante is a wiesel.  You cant be crushing on Dante after the perfection Matt is.  Also her grief  with what happened is way out of proportion.  There is an imbalance in the story which needs to be corrected.  How was she coping with grief when she was living with her aunt and her family.  Doubt her aunt would have allowed her to get drunk and high.  Madi was not fostered out - her aunt provided a stable home.  So her insecurities and high strung ways just do not make sense.  Hope the next phase of the story shows madi as more mature and responsible and Dante relegated into the background. He can stay with Christine.

I really love this story, but this episode  Madi is going through is too much.  Dante said this is a mild version of her previous breakdowns. Does that mean she's  slowly overcoming this guilt or she needs to get help.  I'm  so glad that once Matt realized what Madi was doing in his absence and how insane it was, he changed the agreement and stayed with her.  Her friends are nuts to let her be that out of control, although they did move the liquor from time to time.  Why hasn't Aunt Cleo sought help for her? That is something that should have been addressed immediately.  I hope Matt takes a different approach and doesn't leave her.  She is a fragile person. Maybe his love and attention will make her  want to really overcome this  guilt she has.  No wonder she was a 27 year old virgin. She was probably too afraid to get close to anyone.

Have I told you how much I love you and this story?  You don't make us wait forever to find out what's  happening with our favorite couple.  Now I have to go and read.   the  latest update

Nooooooooooooooo!. Wot an ending!!!!! I was thinking: so what, she's higher than a kite, but then, had to take into consideration her stuff shirt boyfriend and his friends. Aristocrats, uppercrust Brits FROWN hugely on such (public) behaviour. Can't wait to see how Matt deals with seeing his "poppet" so low. She did warn him though.....lol!. Totally loving this drama. It's so differently done.

Update sooner, please!

Is it bad that I'm more attracted to Dante than Matt? I think it maybe because of the solid friendship he has with Matt and I think it's the most important thing in a relationship. Lovely update as usual.

I know that some people are doubting this couple for the long haul, but I don't. Throughout history young, inexperienced women and older men have engaged in relationships and matrimony. Yet somehow, we survived, and even thrived, as a species. So Madi was a little intimidated at first. She's learning, and Matt's temper isn't nearly as daunting to her now as it was in the beginning. She's slowly learning to manage him, and even refused to give in and tell him what Grumps said to her. It doesn't take ten previous wrong relationships to get you ready for the one that matters. It just takes love, patience, commitment and time. 

Personally, I would love to see Madi come into her own with someone as strong as Matt backing her up. He has a whole world to show her that she's never known, but she also has a whole new world to share with him. Her world is neither occupied, nor known, by the super elite. Just as she's learning  to hold her own and enjoy herself in Matt's world, Matt is learning to love the simple things in life. That's a beautiful thing.

Finally, Matt's willingness to stand united with Madi against his family's disapproval is key. His willingness to release his rage on Grumps and snub his mother show just how serious and committed he is about his relationship with Madi. His ultimatum should force Grumps to bring the rest of the family into line. It would be unworthy of her to fail to recognize and appreciate that depth of commitment for, say, a roll in the hay with a certain dance partner (the original dog in the manger). I mean, the guy treated her like a little sister, having relationships left, right and center, until Matt comes along. That's common, but you snooze, you lose. Maybe next lifetime, but you missed that ride on the Madi Train. Now, go away, Twinkle Toes.

I know she's had a crush forever, but that's kid stuff. Besides, no matter how wonderful your relationship may be, there will always be someone else you find appealing on a physical and/or mental level. That doesn't mean you have to act on those feelings. If Madi betrays Matt, I don't think he'll get over it. Not after turning himself inside out to entirely change the way that he sees the world around him for the sake of understanding her perspective, and loving her better.

Okay. Rant's over. I love this story. Please keep it up.

I'm rereading it waiting on you. 

Just finished reading this fic. So good. Grumps is just a bitter ole man.....was probably forced into marriage with someone not of his choice.....hope Matt finds out about grumps conversation and sets the ole guy right.....

Oh...I like him :)

Author's Response:

Me too ;)

Ditto on what @Lajack said.

Wow! I was skeptical when I glanced past this because I'm susposed to be updating my story not starting a new read. You are magic. I'm curled up with my glass of juice as I type. Keep it up

He's excited about his future but it looks like he is about to run into to some trouble when he opens that door.  Didn't someone say Madi didn't have her keys to the house.  As a matter of fact , Matt told her he would use his keys to lock up when they left.  Who's in the house?  It's a good thing Matt can  fight.   OH MY GOD, it's her aunt.  I'd have rather it been burglars.  Poor Matt