Farl

, bitter laugh rising in my throat. I wasn't hiding fro

tion. I stood up slowly, helping Mrs. Gable to her feet. "I have a job to do.

ger, quickly suppressed, crossed his face. "A job? Making coffee? Is that what you ca

ed, forcing a calm I didn't feel.

once comforting, now felt like a brand. "Don't

ng my arm free. "Real enough

us. The window slid down, revealing Kaylene Avila. Her smile, once saccharine sweet, was now a triumphan

you alright? I heard there was a commotion." She stepped out of the car, a

ed my nightmares. Julian, the powerful protector, and Kay

id, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "Long time no see. You've... changed." She made a

e Julian had given me the night I won. The night he betrayed me. "Julian gave this to me," she purred

coffin of my naive past. Julian hadn' t just betrayed me for Kaylene. He had given her pieces of me. H

and Mrs. Watson, emerged, their faces etched with disapproval. They were society darlings,

son demanded, her voice sharp. She ignore

. Still causing trouble, I see." He turned back to Julian, his voice lowered but still audible. "This is exa

ded, her eyes narrowing at me. "Your little drama queen act, Annie, nea

n destroyed my life! But the words wouldn't c

chance to... contribute to the future." Her gaze, chillingly calculating, met mine. "Julian and I have been thinking. My new

Annie. A chance to ghostwrite for me. A form of... penance, Julian calls

This was their solution: to exploit my talent,

hind the scenes. No credit, of course. Just a chance to be part of something great ag

re offering me a cage. A gilded cage, perhaps, but a cage nonetheless. And