10

Talia

My stomach dipped as the plane lifted, and I squeezed my eyes shut, a quiet prayer slipping past my lips before I could stop myself.

“First time?”

I startled slightly, suddenly realizing I’d forgotten Selene was seated beside me. Turning slightly, I met her calm, assessing gaze.

“Yeah,” I admitted.

She smiled, and adjusted her seat to angle more toward me. “It’s normal to be nervous,” she said softly. “I’ve flown plenty of times, but the first few minutes of takeoff still make me feel like my stomach is trying to escape. Here’s a trick: take a slow, deep breath. And keep talking.”

“Talking?” I echoed, unsure if I could even manage the words.

“Yes,” she said, smiling warmly. “About anything. About your favourite city, book, movie, whatever. We can even talk about Ares. I promise I won't snitch.” She nudged me lightly with her elbow, wiggling her brows playfully.

The tightness in my stomach loosened just enough to let me notice the view outside the window behind her. In the few hours I’d known Selene, she had already made it feel easy to breathe. She spoke with her hands, her expressions vivid and unguarded, like she didn’t know how to be anything other than herself. It was impossible not to notice how different she was from her brother. My gaze drifted toward the empty row where Ares should have been. Apparently, he still had business to finish in Chicago. I wasn't supposed to care whether he chose to sit beside me or be miles away in another city, but the sting of rejection pricked sharper than I'd expected.

Selene followed my glance, her smile softening just a fraction. “My brother can come off as extremely cold most times, but he’s actually the best.”

Unsure of how to respond, I just nodded. I didn’t know anything about the man I’d married except the information available to everyone else. But so far, he had come off as closed off, distant, and vindictive… almost frighteningly so. My stomach knotted, and a cold tremor ran down my spine at the thought of what he might do if he discovered the truth. Shifting in my seat, I pressed my palms hard against my thighs to quell the tremor.

“I’m honestly so glad there’s another girl in the family now,” Selene continued, leaning closer. “I won’t be the only one surrounded by testosterone anymore. Finally, some balance. I’ve always wanted a sister, but I guess this is close enough.”

I forced out a smile, hiding the pang of longing for my own sister. “I…can understand that,” I murmured, letting myself get lost for a moment in the thought of Val.

“You have a sister, right?” She asked. “I didn’t see her around yesterday.”

Panic rose in my chest like icy water, and I spat out the first thing that came to mind. “Oh…uh…she’s…gone on a soul-searching trip. Took a little time for herself.”

Selene's eyebrows rose in disbelief. “Your father let her do that?”

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, but my stomach twisted painfully. “Yeah… he trusts her judgment.” The lie sat heavily on my tongue, each word bitter and unnatural.

“My father would never let me. Never.” She said with spite. “He thinks being a woman makes you weak… and don’t even get me started on the bodyguards.” Her gaze flicked towards the young man stationed just outside our row, and she added, “He’s the worst of them all.”

I followed her glance, noticing the bodyguard and the way their eyes locked in a silent, heated contest. After a few seconds, he finally turned and walked toward the cockpit. I let my eyes drop quickly, deciding it wasn’t my business. After all, I had enough secrets of my own to manage.

There was a moment of silence, before she spoke again. “Where did your sister go?”

“Italy.” I whispered. It was easier imagining Val in her favorite country, wandering cobbled streets, tasting gelato, standing in a piazza somewhere, alive and free.

Selene’s eyes lit up. “Italy? That sounds amazing. The art, the food…wow. Lucky her.”

“Yeah. She's really lucky.”

Lying, I realized, was like walking on the edge of a cliff. Every word was a careful step, and one misstep could send everything tumbling...exposing my family's lies

I wish I could do that,” Selene murmured “Just…leave, on my own. See the world, figure things out for myself.”

Would she still feel that longing if she knew the truth? If she knew my sister hadn’t set off on some soul-searching adventure, but had run from the consequences of her actions?

“Do you miss her?”

“A lot.” This was the only truth I could offer.

A dull chime drew my attention, and a calm, professional voice crackled over the intercom.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we will begin our descent into New York in approximately twenty minutes. Please ensure your seatbelts are fastened, and your tray tables are secured.”