Chapter 4

Dad's face darkened.

"This is not a decision you get to make in the middle of Vivian's birthday gala."

"Ethan already said he doesn't want to marry me."

"Then let the adults decide what happens next," Mom said. "The Bennett family has known us for years. We're not losing that relationship because you decided to make a scene."

She turned to Ethan.

"Vivian understands your world. She grew up attending premieres, charity galas, and industry events. "The original agreement was meant to unite our families. If Skye refuses to honor it, Vivian would be a far more suitable match."

Vivian looked down, but not before I caught the smile on her face.

Ethan did not answer immediately. He glanced at her before looking at me again.

"I still don't understand why she was named in the agreement instead of Vivian."

"Because I'm their first daughter," I said.

The room went quiet again.

Several guests turned toward my parents.

Dad cleared his throat.

"Skye was raised by her grandmother because of our work. Vivian is the daughter we raised here."

He made it sound like a boarding arrangement instead of eighteen years of abandonment.

One of the guests looked at me with open curiosity.

"What are you planning to do after you leave here?"

"I start college next week."

"Which college?"

Before I could answer, Vivian spoke for me.

"Skye has always been good at studying. She received a scholarship somewhere, didn't she?"

Her tone made it sound like a small award from a local school.

"I received a full scholarship to Harvard."

A murmur spread through the guests.

"Harvard?"

"A full scholarship?"

"What are you studying?"

More people began asking questions. For the first time that evening, they were looking at me instead of Vivian.

Dad's embarrassment disappeared.

"A full scholarship," he repeated, loud enough for the people around us to hear. "She was always academically gifted. We made sure she had the freedom to focus on her education."

Mom caught on immediately.

"Skye has never enjoyed public attention," she said with a practiced smile. "That's why we've protected her privacy all these years."

An hour earlier, the gala materials had called Vivian their only daughter. Now my parents were taking credit for achievements they hadn't known existed.

Neither of them knew what I planned to study or had ever seen one of my report cards, but that didn't stop Dad from placing a hand on my shoulder for the cameras.

"We're extremely proud of both our daughters."

I stepped away from him.

"I was raised by my grandmother. She helped me apply."

His smile stiffened.

Mom quickly changed the subject, but the guests kept asking about my scholarship.

Vivian tried to draw their attention back to the entertainment companies interested in signing her. No one heard her the first time.

The second time, a guest gave her a distracted nod before asking me about my plans after graduation.

Vivian's fingers tightened around her champagne glass.

She watched our parents answer questions about me as though they had been involved in my life all along.

Then she stepped between me and the guests.

"Skye has always been good at studying," she said. "But academic success doesn't make public attention any easier for her."

She turned toward me.

"You've covered your face since the moment you arrived. If you're going to college and meeting new people, maybe tonight is the perfect time to stop hiding."

"I'm not hiding."

"Then take off your mask."

"No."

Vivian gave the guests an embarrassed smile.

"She's clearly been insecure about it for years. Otherwise, why would she come into her own family's home dressed like this?"

She knew nothing about my life, but that had never stopped her from speaking for me.A woman from the styling team tried to ease the tension.

"There's no reason to pressure her. She can take it off when she feels comfortable."

Vivian ignored her.

"There are stylists and cosmetic surgeons here who help people with much more difficult faces every day. No one is going to laugh at you."

A few guests shifted uncomfortably.

Mom should have stopped her.

Instead, she looked at my mask.

"Perhaps Vivian is right. You can't dress like this forever."

Dad nodded.

"If you're going to Harvard, people will eventually find out who your parents are. We can arrange professional help before the press gets hold of an unflattering photograph."

Minutes ago, they had claimed they had protected my privacy. Now that my scholarship made me useful, they wanted to decide how I should appear in public.

"I don't need professional help."

Vivian moved closer.

"Then let everyone see."

Before I could step away, she pulled off my cap.

"Stop."

She reached for my sunglasses, but I caught her wrist.

Her expression changed the moment I touched her.

"I'm only trying to help you," she said loudly.

"I said don't touch me."

I released her and moved back.

The swimming pool was directly behind me.

Vivian saw it too. Her eyes dropped briefly toward the water before returning to my face.

Ethan stepped closer.

"That's enough, Vivian."

She ignored him.

"Why are you making this so difficult, Skye? Everyone here already knows what you're worried about."

She reached for my sunglasses again.

I turned my face away.

Both of her hands struck my shoulders.

As I lost my balance, she cried out, "Skye, be careful!"

The warning came after the shove.

I fell backward into the pool.

The cold water closed over my head. My sunglasses disappeared first, followed by my mask.

For several seconds, I could not tell which way was up.

When my feet touched the bottom, I pushed myself toward the surface and caught the edge of the pool.

My soaked hair covered most of my face as I pulled myself up.

Everyone's eyes widened. For a moment, no one seemed to breathe.