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I want to finish what I started. I want to see it through because I like the person I’m becoming. I’ve learned more about who I am over these last few months than I ever have before, and for the first time in my life, I’m figuring out what actually makes me happy instead of letting someone else decide for me.

“Seriously, Kira, you’re worried about what’s legal now?” Claire snaps, like this is all a huge waste of her time.

Which is ridiculous, because last time I checked I was her only client, and anything she’s done on my behalf in the last couple of months has been on her own, not because I’ve asked her to.

At this point, it couldn’t be any more obvious that she cares more about my future success than I do. That has to be frustrating for her, but I’m not sure I can make myself care anymore. I didn’t force her to drop all of her other clients to focus on me.

“Sorry, I forgot I’m not supposed to care about things like personal integrity. Thanks for reminding me.”

“Save the theatrics, Kira. You know what I mean,” she chides. “We’re lucky Augustus has been so understanding about all of this.”

I blow out a huff. “As if I give a fuck about Augustus⁠—”

“Don’t start with this shit again…”

“I told you I wanted out.”

“And I told you, I was working on it. I may be good, but I’m not a magician. I can’t force people to change their minds. We need you together for the next movie and the press tour. Then we can discuss renegotiating your contracts.”

“My life isn’t a fucking contract, Claire!”

“Are you sure about that? Because it damn sure looks that way from where I’m standing!” She fires back, then takes a long, deep breath. “I think you need to remember your role. You’re an entertainer, Kira. All you need to do is stop making things worse for yourself. I’m literally giving you a handbook. Do you know how many people would kill to be in your shoes right now? Hated or not, attention is still attention.”

“Yeah, well maybe I’m tired of living underneath a microscope and having my every move analyzed,” I mutter.

“Unfortunately for you, that is the nature of the industry. I don’t make the rules, and I’m not saying it’s fair. But I’m not the enemy here,” she says, her tone softer now. “I’m on your side, and if you want to pivot in the future, I will do everything I can to help you reinvent yourself. Now can you please stop being dramatic and let me tell you how we’re going to fix this?”

I grip the phone tighter, forcing myself to stay silent so she can tell me her plan.

“Filming starts in less than a month, which means we don’t have time for you to play pretend. I’m going to be working around the clock as it is to spin this media shitstorm into an angle we can use.”

I roll my eyes, even though she can’t see me. “Of course, there’s always an angle.”

Claire doesn’t acknowledge my comment. “My cousin’s brother-in-law owns his own therapy practice, and I called in a favor. He’s agreed to sign off on your court order. You can come home and finish your two weeks in an all-inclusive resort. All you need to do is get here, and I can have you checked in by the end of the week.”

“So we’re just going to throw money at the problem and expect it to go away?”

“Yes, Kira, that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” she bites out. “Now do you have any more questions to waste my time with, or do you think you can handle the hardship of being pampered on a beach for two weeks?”

Her cruel words are like a whip, cracking against my flesh, reminding me exactly where my place is. I may be the star here, but in the same way a circus elephant is expected to perform.

“There’s a private jet heading your way now. It should be there in a couple of hours. I’ll send you the information as soon as I have it,” she continues. “Your ass better be on that plane, Kira.” Softening her tone, she adds, “Please don’t fuck this up for us. There’s a whole team of people counting on you to do the right thing here. Their livelihoods depend on it.”

And that right there is how she always gets me. She knows my weaknesses, and she isn’t above exploiting them.

I think about Greer, all the plans I have to help her, how much she deserves to have some help. All the things she’s sacrificed for her kids, never telling me how bad things really were and letting me believe she was fine to do it all on her own.

And now, this entire life she’s built for herself could all be taken away. If people find out this is where she’s been all these years, there’s no telling what could happen. The kids could be thrust into the spotlight, have their world ripped apart overnight, and there’s nothing I’d be able to do to stop it.

No amount of money could be thrown at that problem to make it go away. Human curiosity and juicy gossip are far more valuable than currency.

If she were to be outed, everyone would have an opinion on her life. She’d be the subject of every clickbait article and social media post—Five Childhood Stars You Wouldn’t Recognize Now, or Where Is She Now? Her privacy would disappear overnight.

And worst of all, the kids she’s worked so hard to protect would be dragged into it, too.

It’s one thing to have disgusting comments made about me. But I’d never forgive myself if I subjected Sasha and Evie to them.

I’ll do everything in my power to keep that from happening.