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That’s when it happened. The first flicker of discomfort passed across Jalen’s face. Not panic—just that low thrum of guilt that saysI wish I had better news.But he didn’t say anything. Just gave me the kind of look men give when they’re trying to sayI’m sorrywithout using their mouths.

But under that guilt was something else. That memory of the last time I reminded him who I was. Who I could be if I had to be.

Brielle’s expression didn’t change, but I saw the stillness in her. The way she caught the temperature drop in the room.

A few nights ago, Sienna had warned me to play this one different. “Don’t come at them with fire,” she’d said. “Make them walk into the flame.”

So I sat back. Let them cook. Let the silence hang a little too long. Just enough to make them sweat.

Sienna’s hand shifted slightly—still not touching mine, butcloser now. Her body angled toward me like she wasn’t just present for this meeting. She was herefor me,too.

Another exec leaned forward. “Essence wants a cover story. If we do an exclusive, we might be able to bring inBillboardas well. The idea is to show intimacy. Real connection. You two in a warm, homey environment. Soft light. Candid but elevated.”

I exhaled. “So… fake real.”

“Curated real,” Jalen finally said, like that was any better. But his voice was softer this time. Like he was trying to keep things from boiling.

“What you two have—what you built—it’s working. This is what the people want.”

I looked to Sienna. We didn’t curate anything. From the start, our shit was real.

Her eyes said she knew what I felt but toplay the game.

“I’ll doEssence,” she said.

Barry lit up. “That’s great news?—”

“But I pick the writer,” she added. “And the setting. I’m not interested in performance. If we’re giving the public truth, it needs to come from us. Not the machine.”

The table went still.

Barry gave her a long look. “You know that’s not usually how this goes.”

“I’m not usual,” she replied, voice steady. “Neither is this.”

Barry laughed, smoothing over the silence. “Alright. That’s something we can work with.”

Barry nodded eventually, conceding. “You’ll have support. Within reason.”

Sienna just nodded once. “That’s all I need.”

They kept talking—pre-save strategy, launch windows, PR targets. Amir said something about holdingDangerous LoveuntilEchoes of Your Flamecrested at eight million.

But I wasn’t really listening anymore.

I was watchingher.

The curve of her jaw as she considered their bullshit. The calm fire in her voice when she pushed back. The quiet grace of a woman who had earned this return—not with noise, but with art. With pain. With power.

I loved that woman like a vow I didn’t know I was allowed to make.

But I’d be lying if I said the moment didn’t sting.

The spotlight was warm on her shoulders.

But it cast a long shadow where I sat.

And Jalen—he hadn’t forgotten who I was.