LOGINRiley woke up to her phone exploding.Thirty-seven missed calls. Sixty-two text messages. Her email inbox overflowing with notifications.She grabbed her phone, still half asleep, and opened the first message. It was from Sarah."CALL ME NOW. There's a photo. It's everywhere."Riley's stomach dropped.She opened Twitter. The photo was the top trending topic in Springfield.There she was, wrapped around Samuel in the aquatic center, kissing him like her life depended on it. The caption read: "Springfield Herald reporter Riley Chen caught in compromising position with college swimmer she was assigned to cover. Age gap relationship or abuse of power?"The comments were brutal."This is disgusting. She's almost 30 and he's barely legal.""Classic predator behavior. Using her position as a journalist to get close to a young athlete.""Someone needs to investigate this. This is grooming.""Age gap relationships are valid! Stop being judgmental!""Seven years isn't even that much. My parents
Summer brought unexpected visitors.Riley was working in her home office when the doorbell rang. Luna got there first, always eager to answer the door despite being repeatedly told not to."Someone here!" she announced.Riley opened the door to find a woman in her early forties, well-dressed and vaguely familiar."Can I help you?""Are you Riley Armani? Riley Chen Armani?""Yes. And you are?""My name is Victoria Moore. I'm Tiara's older sister."Riley's stomach dropped. She'd known Tiara had a younger cousin, Aria, who'd warned them about Marcus. But an older sister?"I didn't know Tiara had an older sister.""We were estranged. I left the pack when I was eighteen, moved to Seattle, cut ties with the family. I only found out about Tiara's death two years ago." Victoria's eyes were red-rimmed. "I should have come sooner. But I was angry. At her, at myself, at everything.""Would you like to come in?"Victoria entered, looking around the house with interest. Luna watched her suspicious
Samuel won bronze in his third event, the four hundred meter freestyle. Riley watched him stand on the podium with two gold medals and one bronze around his neck by the end of the Olympics, and thought about how far they'd both come. He'd competed in three Olympic games. Won six medals total. Two silvers, three bronze, and now finally, the gold he'd been chasing his entire career. "I'm done," he said on their last night in Oslo. The kids were asleep in the next room, and they were sitting on the hotel balcony despite the freezing temperature. "After this, I'm retiring." "You're sure?" "I'm twenty-six years old. I've accomplished everything I set out to do. I have a family I love and who actually needs me present." Samuel looked at her. "It's time." Riley nodded. She'd known this was coming, but hearing him say it out loud made it real. "What will you do? After swimming?" "I've had some offers. Coaching positions. Commentary work. One company wants me to be their spokesperson."
The third film premiered in December, timed perfectly for awards season.Riley walked the red carpet in a stunning emerald dress, Samuel beside her in a tuxedo that made her heart skip despite ten years together. The kids were home this time, deemed too young for the chaos of a premiere that would run past midnight."You look beautiful," Samuel murmured as cameras flashed."You look pretty good yourself.""Just good?""Devastating. Happy?""Very."The film was everything Riley had hoped for. The director had stuck the landing, giving the trilogy a satisfying conclusion that honored the books while adding cinematic flair.When the credits rolled, the audience gave a standing ovation. Riley found herself crying, overwhelmed by seeing her story, her characters, her world brought to life so perfectly."You did it," the lead actress told her at the after-party. "Created something that's going to last. People will be watching these films twenty years from now.""That's surreal.""That's leg
Spring brought an unexpected letter.Riley was sorting through mail while Luna "helped" by opening junk catalogs and declaring everything "mine!" when she noticed an official-looking envelope with a university seal.Stanford University.She opened it, confused. She hadn't applied for anything at Stanford.Dear Ms. Armani,We are pleased to invite you to deliver the keynote address at our Graduate School of Journalism's commencement ceremony this May. Your work in both traditional journalism and digital media, combined with your candid writing about personal challenges, has inspired a generation of young journalists. We would be honored to have you share your insights with our graduating class.Riley read it three times.Stanford wanted her to give a commencement speech."Samuel!" she called.He appeared from the garage, covered in grease from working on his truck. "What's wrong?""Nothing's wrong. Stanford wants me to give a commencement speech.""That's amazing!""That's terrifying.
Tiara's funeral was held on a gray Saturday in late November. Riley and Samuel attended together, along with Max and Nora. They sat near the back of the small chapel, not wanting to intrude on the grief of Tiara's sister and the few friends who'd stayed in touch over the years. The service was simple and beautiful. Layla, Tiara's younger sister, spoke about the vibrant woman Tiara had been before the accident. About her dreams of becoming a veterinarian, her love of old movies, her terrible singing voice that she used anyway. "My sister lost seven years of her life," Layla said, her voice breaking. "But in the time she had after waking up, she lived fully. She moved to Oregon, went back to school, made new friends. She didn't let what happened to her define her final chapter." Riley found herself crying. For Tiara, for the life cut short, for all the what-ifs and might-have-beens. Samuel held her hand through the entire service. Afterward, Layla approached them as they were pre
“So…” Onika began, trying to start a conversation with Fatima to ease the tension. “What are you up to these days at your grandma's place?”Fatima rolled her eyes. A mother who was sleeping with her own stepson was now asking if she was fine? “I'm fine. Without you.”Felicia slapped her hand lightly
Antonio was ready to make his move. His plan was to approach Felicia respectfully at first, but if they refused to comply, his men were prepared to overthrow the Rogue palace. He had finished dressing in the minivan, and thanks to his drone, he’d already captured photos of the three women in the gar
Dalton paced up and down in front of the education department building in agitation, waiting for you-know-who.Students passed him with puzzled looks; it was rare to see someone like Dalton near their classrooms. He waited until the first and second periods began, yet there was still no sign of Fati
(7:30 PM)The meeting with the principal felt like a hot seat for Samuel. He rubbed his palms together to hold back his nervousness until Principal Cole finally sat down.“He... Hello, Principal?”Cole smiled briefly. “How can I help you, Mr. Armani?”Samuel breathed heavily, then produced the lette







