Page 208 of Collide

I take him in—his need, his flaws, his fire.

I’m his. And he’s mine.

Even if it ruins me.

A few days later,it’s all hands on deck at Pacific Records.

What had felt like a firing squad days ago—a cold, tense room thick with judgment—has somehow transformed into a sunlit haven where dreams are spun out of thin air.

It’s all sofickle.

One minute, I was facing complete and total ruin because of Madison’s news. Now, those same suits are riding high off a PR victory—one they had nothing to do with.

Alex’s campaign flips the narrative. His team turns the scandal inside out and hands them a redemption arc they can repackage in time for my album launch.

I’m no longer a liability. I’m the story.

Mark paces at the head of the table, a wide grin stretching across his face as he flips through a stack of streaming stats and pre-release feedback. The numbers are up. They’re all so pleased with themselves.

Around him, the execs buzz like bees, murmuring over their tablets, swiping through glowing headlines like they hadn’t been sharpening knives just days ago.

I sit still, hands folded in my lap, pretending not to notice how quickly the tide turns when there’s something to gain.

“Elena, your first album from two years ago is charting! You’re on fire right now.” Mark stops pacing long enough to beam at me. “We think it’s time to move up the release date of your single from the upcoming album. Capitalize on the press while you’re hot.”

“Move it up? By how much?” It takes everything for me not to roll my eyes.

Kylie, sitting beside me, shoots me a quick, encouraging smile, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Release the single next week, then the album drops two weeks after that,” Mark says, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. “Your socials are exploding, radio’s playing your old stuff. People are hungry for more.”

The room hums with nods and half-muttered approvals, the energy crackling with excitement.

And for a moment, I let myself feel it.

The high.

That flicker offinally. Like maybe all the drama was worth it.

Was it?This is what I wanted…right? But the realization lands hard and cold.

Why does it feel so hollow?Like I’ve traded something sacred for a headline.

“That’s…great.” I force a smile. “Really great news.”

“Damn right, it is.” Mark claps his hands once, loud and sharp. “We’ll have the marketing team start teasing snippets tomorrow. You ready for this, superstar?”

I bite back the nerves fluttering beneath the excitement. I nod. “Yeah. I’m ready.”

The moment we step out of the conference room, Kylie tugs gently on my arm, steering me away from the others.

“Hey, can we talk?” she asks, her voice low, glancing around before guiding me into one of the smaller side offices.

Once the door clicks shut, she turns to face me. Folding her arms, her brow furrows.

“I’m really happy for you, Elena. You know that, right?” She treads carefully.

I nod, already sensing thebuthanging heavy between us.