Page 114 of Invisible Bars

Mariah let out a small, nervous chuckle, smoothing the edge of her notecard.

“Well… there you have it. Straight from the COO himself.”

She glanced at the camera, her smile poised. “Speculation stops where clarity begins. Kors Luxe Development continues forward—with vision, family, and a firm grip on the future.”

The interview rolled on—expansion plans, green building initiatives, my so-calledphilanthropic partnerships—most of which were just strategic tax write-offs dressed in feel-good language. Mariah asked how I balancedmyprivate life with public responsibility, and I gave her the pre-packaged answers the world loved to hear.

Every now and then, Giselle would hold up a fresh card like a mom at a spelling bee:

“GRATITUDE.”

“INNOVATION.”

“BILLIONAIRE MINDSET.”

I hit every note, smiled at every cue, even hugged Mariah when she complimented my foundation’s youth mentorship program—even though I had yet to set up an event.

Why did I keep everything cool and collected?Because when it came to the bag? I didn’t mess that up. I didn’t really consider photoshoots to be money-making ventures; that’s why I didn’t mind cussing a muthafucka or two out on those sets. But interviews like that? Prime-time press, broadcast to millions? Those moments mattered.

Everything was going smooth… until the final question.

Mariah tilted her head, smiling. “You’ve accomplished so much in business, and you’ve done it young. The people want to know—do you see yourself settling down anytime soon?”

Now, I like silence. I operate well in it. But that? That wasn’t silence; that wasstuck.

Don’t do it, I thought. Don’t cuss this lady out on camera… not over one question.

I cut a glance toward the production manager—the same nigga who swore to make sure she’d keep it professional and nothing about my personal love life.I guess he didn’t get around to telling her that part.

I looked him over slowly, as if my glare alone could end his whole career. He avoided my eyes like I carried a blade.

Mariah was still smiling. Then there was my mama. She was probably two seconds away from flashing a glittery cue card that said“ROMANCE = RELATABILITY”or some other stupid ass shit.

I paused… just for a second. But it was long enough for the question to settle in the room—and in my mind.

Already married… to Naji—the quiet storm with wide eyes, restless hands, and a tongue that flicks out sharp truths in between the involuntary tics she tries so hard to control.

She hadn’t asked for the life I’d given her, and I hadn’t asked for her. Yet there we were—tied together by a secret she couldn’t unsee and a decision I made too fast, too cold, too calculated. Naji wasn’t the kind of woman a man paraded in a headline. Not because she wasn’t worthy, but because the world wouldn’t understand her… wouldn’t understandus.Our marriage wasn’t public… wasn’t perfect… and sure as hell wasn’t built on love, but it existed.

“Mr. Kors?” Mariah’s voice cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to the present.

I adjusted my posture and forced another PR-friendly grin.

“My apologies. Do you mean… like marriage?”

“Yes,” she beamed. “A family. Love. A partner.”

My tongue pressed against the back of his teeth.

I glanced over at Giselle. She hadnocard for that one; just wide eyes and a frozen smile.

I cleared my throat, turned back to Mariah, adjusted my posture, and gave the kind of smile that meantnone of your business, but I’ll entertain you anyway.

“Right now, my focus is on the future of Kors Luxe Development. The rest?” I gave a smooth smile. “We’ll see what time allows.”

Mariah smiled. “We’ll be waiting.”

Yeah, I bet, I thought.