cast a golden glow, the air thick with the scent of ex

l," a night dedicated to my grandmother' s phi

a stage for my p

to speak, a soft smile on my

e, Victoria Lexingto

too bright, he

her, she snatched the m

voice echoing, silencing the room,

asp rippled th

ng with a manufactured sincerity, "someone who sees t

the stage, Chase Ryder, a fitness influencer w

lpted muscles, the antithesis o

s arm. "This is Chase. He' s shown me a life away

cold. This wa

le, looked pale. My grandfather, Arthur Miller, his face a granite mask, watched Tori wit

"What are you doing?"

aid, loud enough for the front rows t

eah, man. It' s about authenti

that. To me. At m

from Tori, and for the first time, I saw not just di

ssment; it was a declaratio