Morning came slowly, like my body was trying to delay the moment I had to wake up and face reality. I opened my eyes, but I didn’t move. And that was when I heard it — muffled voices coming from the guest room down the hall. I recognized them instantly.
Lewis and Victoria.
My blood froze.
“…I know,” Victoria hissed, voice sharp with frustration. “I get it. You needed to use your brother’s identity to be with me. Fine. I accepted that. But shouldn’t we end this? I’m tired of sneaking around. I want to date you as Lewis, not as Maxon.”
My stomach coiled, sick and tight.
Lewis replied with a low, annoyed sigh. “Victoria, relax. I told you—we’ll fix everything at Grandma’s birthday party.”
“Fix? How?”
Lewis chuckled, the same laugh that used to make me feel safe. Now that sound curdled my insides. “We’ll frame Nadine. Make it look like she cheated on me. Grandma adores her since our families have always been close—she’d never allow a divorce unless Nadine messed up. But if she thinks Nadine betrayed me? She’ll kick her out herself.”
I covered my mouth, tears burning hot behind my eyes.
Victoria scoffed. “And Maxon? He won’t agree to any of this. He’s unpredictable. What if he ruins it?”