LOGINThe entire ride to House of Valemont, I can’t calm down. I keep rehearsing my steps, my greetings, my smile. My mind runs wild with what-ifs—what if nothing’s the same, what if I walk in and everyone stares? What if I can’t do this? but I try to remain strong until we get there.Once we finally arr
VICTORIAThe next couple of days after the interview are nothing short of intense.My life has been a blur of flashing cameras, endless questions, and too many emotions to name.I’ve done several interviews—each one different, yet somehow the same. My face has been everywhere: on magazine covers, bu
“I know you all have questions,” she continues, her tone soft but firm. “But let me explain what happened to me over a year ago.”She pauses, breathing in, then exhales shakily. For a moment, I think she won’t continue — that the weight will crush her, but she does. Of course she does.“One year ago
CHASE“Are you ready?” I ask her as I brush the edges of her suit jacket around her shoulders, smoothing out invisible creases.Victoria lets out a breath, her eyes darting to the glass doors beyond us where the crowd hums like a hive ready to sting.“No one can ever be ready for this, Chase,” she a
A chill crawls up my spine despite the heat, and my legs feel weak, forcing me to grip the edge of the glass partition to steady myself.“I’ve faced death, betrayal, heartbreak, my name tarnished — but this? This somehow feels different. Because I will be doing it, exposed to the world.” I think to
“Maybe I should just come clean to the press and tell my story first, so they’ll stop looking for Ivy. I can reclaim everything once and for all—publicly.”The words hang in the air for a moment before I feel him move behind me, his arms slipping around my waist, his breath warm against my neck.“Th







