en

stiffly on my lap as the city stretched past in blurred shapes. Buildings seemed to melt into one another, as wet paint dragged across a

fa

the rumors turned into something solid, something undeniable, it would reach them fully

en't

said suddenly, my voice

presence calm and unreadable, as tho

asked, his

urling slightly into my dress. "I have t

ief pause befor

on't sup

toward him, my bro

on't kn

certain. "Families like yours protect their reputation firs

avily in my chest, qu

holding on to what litt

aid again, more quietly t

for a moment, t

he said.

t and untouched. But today, something felt different. The air felt colder, the silenc

ding harder with every step. Just as I r

pression sharp and unwelcoming. Behind her, my stepsister lingered quietly,

ne sm

moved to

e already fille

this to us?" my s

lifting slightly as if I could stop everyt

The entire city has seen you in anothe

what it l

ke what it is," my st

painfully, my brea

I said, my voice shakin

ssion full of disbelief, as if she had heard th

nd this time his words broke s

no longer a Vale." The w

ath

. "We will handle the media. We will p

ill never step int

physical blow, knockin

arned

came from b

rned

an

n calm, almost distant. "I told you to be care

erently this time, somet

w?" I ask

nswer. She di

fter, the sound final and cold, and I stood there fo

di

walked away, my step

o fiancé. No

n stood beside it, his arms crossed, his expression unchange

ou still he

how this would

his words settling deep inside m

d it. Then I opened the door and got in. The ride was quiet. I didn'

saw the tall glass building in front

teele

ir eyes following him with respect and something close to fear. I ignored th

nd him through wide glass windows. He sat down calmly, comple

u bring me h

replied. "You

tung more th

e spoke

e a pro

fingers curling slightly

tract m

in the air, he

scandal disappears. The narrative changes. You go

y. "And what do you gain?" "Stability."

aire. What do you

dn't a

lt heavier than

to use me

efits bo

w tigh

ng you pick up to

our best

nk I need yo

now y

is voice made m

if I r

controlled, deliberate. When he stopped in fron

door," he said quietly, "

I knew he was right. Still,

d. "But it will

r, my hand tightening around the ha

ned it and

voice followed,

be back

faltered

e deep

y knew he