hel

s into place, and I lean forward, sighing. I'm glad I convinced the barte

r crowd that will never know me. I can't help but sneak a peek between the gap in the curtains at

eam, having all the people in a room stop everything they're

e the sun. The conversation would pause when they heard my name

ted? No matter how hard I wish for them, they will never be for me. Even when I go

It's all I've ever truly wanted for myself: to be that singer that people love

s made me feel as a girl. They have inspired me for decades and ha

gh the backstage door, smiles at

offer him a smil

"She's a good singer," he gestures towards

ugh before I shr

now her, I think," I tell him. D

of kindness, but they'r

I recognize the look in his eye. O

o dinner if you're free ton

ined jeans, and curly brown hair. He's ha

l date. I've been so busy with staying afloat tha

y shoulders ache and my soft bed is calling my name. At leas

" I say sweetly. "Th

me, and I return it genuinely before looking

e, bowing to the claps a

es and dreams in their tracks. I turn away to

She grabs a towel she'd left back here, dabbing at the tip of her forehead. Then, as if a gl

she says it. It's my payment for tonight's pe

ition I'm getting for tonight's performance, it's enough to make me feel just a little less small. Plus, it's a constant kill-her-with-

t of both worlds for you." She crosses her arms, her seltzer still in on

om? How can she look at me and

ith her, but today has been a long day, and I'm exhausted. "How much longer am

again. Oh, Ophelia, y

's Knot, though it's not too creative. I don't dislike the woman; she's helping me out when no

e forefront of my mind. I want to question her; I want to stand up for myself

to wake the sleep

ng on my lap. "Then you continue to sing in my stead, without anyone else knowing about it. That's the deal,

e words, knowing h

r like that," I growl befo

like that despite knowing that she may be right. C

ice as her own, she's p

rifice, no matter how

who I am. Camila has stolen my voice in order to make her career h

he's taken advantage of me in the worst way. All I've wanted, my entire life, is to step i

e continues to linger

bad person,

bad s

and I do not feel like sitting here while you

But I need the money. I need the help. A

voice that people kn

e to say, but she knows

ly hair back with a dev

me. "You better continue to keep our secret, Ophelia," sh

d as she swings her ponytail in my face and wa

hat, I'm a

see me cry, that's always been my rule. Especially when it comes to Camila. She knows she h

hat good I'm doing. I'm helping my family. I'm the voice for the Camila Monroe.

mila's gone. Would they ever accept me if I told the truth? Even if it means not having money for Mom's bills,

ling myself to Ursula. But while she was gifted legs and lived her dreams of being on

back of the building before I head inside over to the ba

Monroe behind the bar. With my face staring back at me from the mirror,

lost in dreams I'll

s my mom, and cont

ming to come. I have done everything my way. And even with

what's most