Squalling.
Perfect.
Andmine.
The only thing in the entire galaxy that ever made me believe in second chances.
And now…
Now, I might have to explain to her who her father is.
A father she’s never met.
A father who walks through fire for applause and bleeds on command for crowds that cheer for blood, not justice.
A father who broke me.
And who might, by some impossible twist of fate, be close enough to do it again.
CHAPTER 16
RHEA
They’re screwing with my schedule.
I know it.
NovaCast blames “logistics,” “sponsor pivots,” and “production streamlining,” but I’ve worked in this business too long to fall for corporate horseshit. I can smell manipulation a mile away.
And this?
This reeks of a setup.
Segments I was slated to shoot—ones with actual narrative weight—are suddenly reassigned to fresh-faced nobodies with no edge and zero spine. Meanwhile, my assignments have turned niche. Intimate. And oddly specific.
A day ago, I was set to interview arena medical staff for a special on trauma care.
Now?
Now I’m shadowingValtron.
“An inside look at warrior training rituals,” the production notes say. “Full access. Personal footage. Human interest angle.”
My stomach knots as I read it, bile rising hot in my throat.
They think it’s good TV.
Reunited lovers. Secret tension. Maybe a blowout. Maybe a tearful reconciliation. They don’t care which—they just want it on film.
And Valtron?
Either he’s in on it…
Or he’swaiting.
I don’t get a choice.
The production lead hands me a camera crew I barely know, gives me a countdown, and sends me into the pit.
