A pause. Then a laugh. Sharp. Amused.
“Oh, he knows,” she says. “I was told he already RSVP’d.”
My gaze lifts slowly to Langston.
He’s watching me now—brows drawn, jaw tight—clearly not hearing this for the first time.
Hurt flickers through me before I can stop it. He never mentioned it. Never asked me if I wanted to go.
I swallow and push forward anyway. “I don’t know if he can get you on the list.”
Another laugh. Colder this time.
“Of course he can,” she says. “That’s the whole point, isn’t it? The resources. The transport access. The Blackwell name.”
The words land like a slap.
A sharp, radiating pain spreads through my chest, because suddenly I remember everything I tried to forget.
This was never about me.
Not to them.
Before I can respond, Langston reaches out and takes the phone from my hand.
“You’ll be on the list,” he says. “If there’s anything else you need for the event,” he continues, “you can contact me directly.”
Celeste hums, pleased. “Of course.”
He ends the call.
I don’t look at him.
I turn and walk toward the stairs before he can stop me, my steps steady even though everything inside me is shaking. I take the stairs two at a time, my chest tight, my thoughts loud and spinning. I shut the bathroom door behind me and turn on the shower, letting the heat fill the space.
A knock comes moments later.
“I need to talk to you,” Langston says through the door. “That isn’t what it sounded like.”
I force brightness into my voice. “I know. It’s fine.”
I keep my back to the door, hands braced on the counter.
“I’m running late,” I add. “I need to get ready. Have a good day. I’ll see you tonight for dinner.”
There’s silence.
Then footsteps retreating.
When I’m alone, I step fully into the spray. I slide down the tile wall until I’m sitting on the floor, knees pulled to my chest, water pouring over me like I might wash the ache out if I let it run long enough.
I press my forehead to my knees and breathe.
You chose this, I remind myself.
You chose this so your sister wouldn’t have to.
And if the cost of her freedom is mine?
