“We don’t need their money. I have enough for both of us. For all of us.”
“I don’t want to be dependent on you.”
“You’re not dependent. You’re a successful designer with a thriving business. This show was just … extra. And it turned out to be a nightmare. So we cut it loose.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
She kissed me then—soft and grateful.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “For not making me feel like I’m giving up.”
“You’re not giving up. You’re choosing yourself. Your family. Your sanity. That’s not giving up. That’s winning.”
She curled into my side, her wine forgotten on the coffee table.
“So tomorrow we call Ethan,” she said.
“Tomorrow we call Ethan.”
“And we get me out of this contract.”
“And we get you out of this contract.”
“And then what?”
“Then we live our lives. No cameras. No drama. Just us.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Me too.”
We sat in comfortable silence, the weight of the decision settling over us like relief.
She was done with the show. Done with the manipulation. Done with letting other people control her narrative.
And, in my short time knowing her, I’d never been prouder of her.
19
LILA
Iwoke to sunlight streaming through the curtains and the weight of Vance’s arm around my waist. For a moment, I just lay there, listening to him breathe. How was it possible that this time last month, I hadn’t even known him? Now, he and Margot felt like they’d always belonged with Mia and me. Despite my work life being in chaos, one thing was clear—my family was what mattered. I’d do whatever it took to protect them.
I turned slightly, studying his face in the morning light. Even in sleep, he calmed my nerves, slowed my pulse. All my life, I’d been hoping for a man like this and now, here he was, fighting for me. For us.
His eyes opened, finding mine immediately.
“Morning,” he said, voice rough with sleep.
“Morning.” I managed a small smile.
He pulled me closer. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I got hit by a truck,” I said. “But better than last night.”
“That’s something.”
