“Come home, Gia Huy.”
It sounded like the answer to all of her problems. But Gia knew better. It was a double-edged sword.
The darkness had lived inside her since she’d left Willowbrook, starting as a shadow and growing each day into a chasm. Therapy, medication, mindfulness—none of it kept it at bay for long. If it grew any further, it would consume everything.
Just let go.
Her eyes snapped open. She hadn’t even realized she’d dozed off in the back seat of the SUV. Carson, the driver, had introduced himself and loaded her bags, and now the radio hummed softly as exhaustion claimed her.
The journey to Willowbrook had been long, with several connections. Her body ached. All she wanted to do was lie down and sleep for a few days. Traveling incognito was familiar by now, but covering the healing bruises on her face and neck had required extra effort. Strategic hair placement, heavy makeup, and oversized sunglasses had done the job. Fortunately, there were no paparazzi waiting outside her apartment. At least, none she’d seen.
The story hadn’t broken yet.
But it would. It was only a matter of time before her name was splashed across the tabloids. Again.
Yay.
She rolled her eyes behind her sunglasses, internally mocking the joke her life had become. This was the life she’d wanted when she left her hometown. She’d dreamed about the fame, the glitz, the runway lights, and the red carpets.
Ever since Gia could remember, she’d dreamed of being a supermodel—strutting the runway and becoming a household name. Breaking through the glass ceiling for Asian women and working with the top designers in the industry. Giving little girls who looked like her hope that they could do it too.
Gia went from modeling gig to gig. Went to any available casting in the area and waited tables in skimpy outfits between jobs to keep herself fed.
She’d climbed the career ladder from modeling to acting, starting with cameos until a breakout role in a romantic drama blasted her into the spotlight in the film industry. While she’d starred in a few films, the biggest break in her career had presented itself a few months ago.
After many rounds of auditions, Jerry guaranteed she was set to land a blockbuster role with an all-star cast.The dream job.Allshe had to do was meet the executive producer to finalize the contract.
Jerry had reassured her it was a simple meeting to seal the deal and sign her name on the line.
But it hadn’t been so simple.
At the memory, panic surged in her chest—the all-too-familiar pressure was sharp-edged and suffocating. Her thoughts threatened to spiral until her phone buzzed in her hand.
Perfect timing.
Inhaling deeply to calm her nerves, Gia answered, keeping her voice low and artificially bright. “Hi, Kim.” She cringed at how forced it sounded, even to her own ears.
“Gia, did Carson find you okay?” Kim’s tone was cool, but concern threaded beneath it.
“Yep, I’m with him now. Thanks for setting everything up.”
“Sure thing. So, uh…” Kim hesitated. “I couldn’t get you a hotel in Willowbrook…”
Gia groaned. Of course. She’d forgotten how small her hometown was.
“What happened to the Willowbrook Inn?”
“They’re undergoing renovations. Off-season maintenance or something,” Kim explained, sounding frustrated. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine. I’ll just stay with my family,” Gia blurted, not thinking it through. The regret in Kim’s voice made her want to appease her.
Although Gia hadn’t visited home in years, it should be okay. Probably a little awkward, but manageable.
“Are you sure? The next closest hotel is over an hour away.”
Gia chewed her thumbnail. She wanted to go home, but not like this. No neutral zone to retreat to when it all became too much. The lack of control gnawed at her. A sheen of sweat collected along her hairline. Her breathing grew erratic.
“Yeah, it’s fine. Listen, I’ll call you later. I-I have to go.” Her arm felt like lead as she ended the call with shaky fingers.
