Chapter 55
my stomach churns as i cross to the window yanking the curtains open.
outside the city hums.Normal.completely oblivious to the fact that somewhere online my life is spiraling into headlines and hashtags.
I pull open the door and to walk in the hall,
Aiden steps inside from his room casual as if he has not just set the internet on fire.his hair is slightly damp from the shower his shirt loose and his sleeves rolled.Calm. Controlled.the same mask he wore last night in the
car.
he doesnt say anything at first.just moves to the counter picks up the remote and turns on the TV.the screen flashes to life showing a morning entertainment segment.
my face or the hint of it fills the frame blurred and mysterious beside his unmistakable silhouette.
The hosts are grinning. “Aiden kincaid was spotted last night protecting a mystery girlfriend from the paparazzi.fans are calling it the most romantic moment of the year.”
i feel heat crawl up my neck.
Aiden watches silently his arms crossed the faintest curve at the corner of his mouth.his voice when it comes is measured.” this should help redirect the media focus,” he says scrolling through his laptop like he is reviewing a business report.
((
our image is stronger now.”
i blink at him incredulous. “Our image?”
he glances up meeting my eyes. “Exactly.”
something sharp twists in my chest.the kiss the confusion it is all numbers to him. A marketing move, to help with his image.
i cross my arms struggling to steady my breath. “Unbelievable. you talk about it like it is a campaign strategy not –“My words cut off before I can finish. Not what? Not real but it isnt?
he doesnt rise to the bait.he studies the photos again unbothered that maddening calm radiating from him. “It looks like,” he says simply.
“Ella and Dylan’s drama is gone.the public’s attention shifted exactly where it needed to.”
i shake my head laughing once humorless. ” you make it sound like you planned the whole thing.”
his eyes flick to mine unreadable. ” didnt i”
the air between us feels taut again charged with something i cant name. i want to scream to throw something to shake him until that calm surface cracks.
but instead i stand there my heartbeat thundering beneath my ribs.
he picks up his laptop did a few clicks. then turns it toward me.the screen shows another photo the same
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Chapter 55
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moment but a different angle.his arm curved around me his hand at my waist.my hair brushing his jaw.
To anyone else, it looks like affection. Devotion, even.
Aiden tilts his head slightly his voice dropping to something almost teasing. “not bad,” he murmurs.” even though i shielded your face you were photographed well.”
for a moment i forget to breathe.the compliment lands softly disarming. there is warmth there barely visible but real enough to stir something traitorous inside me.
my heart stumbles just once.
I cover it with sarcasm before he can see. “Glad my face helps your PR,” I say, setting my phone down with more force than necessary.
Aiden smirks faintly, unbothered. ” hopefully it will.”
his voice carries a quiet confidence that same infuriating composure that hides everything he is really thinking.but there is something flickering beneath itsomething too human too close to longing.
the silence stretches heavy and charged.the faint hum of the city outside seeps through the walls blending with the steady beat of my pulse.
he looks at me one last time and for a heartbeat i swear i see it the ghost of what last night felt like. The warmth. The electricity.then it is gone replaced by that calm practiced expression once again.
and i am left standing there the taste of his name still bitter on my tongue my reflection shimmering faintly in the laptop screen beside his.
Fake. Real. i can not tell the difference anymore.
D
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