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
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