n Bart

f another woman was truly tiresome. I felt a knot of anger tighten in my stomach. The entire

friends, social media updates, and a flood of shared videos. Everyone was reacting to the awkward scene Edwin and I had just m

rtably in a plush armchair, swirling

kinds of situations, Edwin?" a

in his voice. "She comes from nothing. She' s fragile, easily hurt." He looked directly at the camera, as if addressing an unseen aud

ays getting her way. She doesn't back down from anything. Sometimes she doesn't even realize how sharp she can be." He paused, a troubled look on his face. "I just need to protect Kacy. I can't let anyone upset her." He then shared a specific inciden

fined me. He had twisted my independence into aggression, my confidence into cruelty. My vision blurred. I couldn't decide what I felt more strongly: pure, unadulterated r

hting the surge of emotion. My p

s here," she asked, her voice laced with concern.

ricaded her in the corner. And she's... well, she's definitely 'tea-flavored.' All sweet smiles and batted eyelashes, but you ca

on't let Edwin paint you as the bad guy. You need to come and rip that little manip

I had done nothing wrong. I had no reason to run, no reason to hide. I was Kaitlyn Barton. I had a right t

waiting for the drama to unfold, fueled my resolve. If Edwin wanted to turn this into a spec

made my way back to the private lounge Edwin had originally pointed to, the designated meeting spot for our closest fr

ible. I must have ruined her evening. I am so sorry." She paused, then added, her voice dropping to a near whisper, "Perhaps I should just leave. I