A BRU

or any of this to happen." His eyes darted nervously between my father and me, then to my grandfather, who remained a silent

up, her voice shrill. "Exactly! She's no Tyler! She's just some obsessed

ered, "Bruce... Tyler? Oh my God, she's Harrison Tyler's granddaughter! And his son's daughter!" The realization

the floor. He saw the recognition in the eyes of the onlookers, and a despera

ed member of my team. A dear friend. But I assure you, she's not... she's not involved in the Tyler family business. She simply uses her maiden name. A quaint choice, really." He even managed a weak, ingratia

mouth. "Is that what you call seven years of my life? Seven years of ghostwriting your speeches, crafting your policie

zing with renewed anger. "She's lying! She's always been obsessed with you, Josh! She' s a sta

swift and decisive. He grabbed Kassandra's wrist, his grip like ste

What are you doing, Mr. Tyler? She's pregnant!" The words tumbled out

ssandra, a chillingly calm expression on his face. "Pregnant?" he repeated, his voice dan

h pain and fear, glared at Josh.

I meant... metaphorically speaking! We're bu

ve, sending her stumbling back into her bodyguards. He tur

as a 'valued member of your team,' not as a 'dear friend,' and certainly not as

who had now taken a step forward, his eyes burning with a si

tand in the spotlight with me. Someone like... Kassandra." He gestured vaguely towards her. "She understands the demands of public life. She's... presentable. You're too... intense. Too much." He even managed a c

smirked. "See, Aurora? He's being generous.

lobby, a chilling sound. I looked from Josh to Kassandra, then back to Jos

long in the shadows? Because I worked in secret for your ambition? Because I believed in your promises?" My eyes, now burning with a quiet fire, fixed on him. "You t

ed at my grandfather, then at my father, both of whom were now staring a

appeal to the woman he thought he knew. "I'm offering you a ver

ully constructed facade. "Josh Palmer," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, yet resonating with an autho