What freedom feels like

Caitlyn settled against the pillows on Vi’s bed, tucking her feet under the blanket and getting comfortable as Vi shifted in beside her. The clock on Caitlyn’s phone glowed ‘3:30 a.m.’ as she scrolled through her contacts to find Mel. Beside her, Vi clung protectively; one arm looped around Cait’s waist. The moment Cait placed the call, she felt her stomach twist with anxiety.

After only a few rings, the screen lit up, revealing a poised woman with elegant features and a crisp white blazer. Her hair was styled perfectly, makeup immaculate - she looked like she belonged in a boardroom rather than on a late-night video call.

“Caitlyn,” Mel began, raising an eyebrow. “This is quite the hour for you, isn’t it?”

Cait forced a thin smile, her fingers curling around the phone’s edges. “Yeah... I—um—sorry. It’s morning for you, right?”

Mel glanced off-screen, presumably checking the time. “Yes, nearly eleven,” she answered. “So, to what do I owe this early call from across the pond?”

Caitlyn swallowed a lump in her throat. She could feel Vi’s presence beside her - a silent lifeline. “Mel, I—I messed up,” she admitted, voice wavering. “I snuck out tonight, and... I went to a concert.” She hesitated, grateful the word “rave” hadn’t slipped out. “There was an incident. It was... bad,” she said shakily, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. She heard the click-clack of Mel’s keyboard in the background. “I’m so sorry.”

Mel’s typing paused momentarily. “Are you alright?” she asked, her voice clipped but concerned. “Where are you calling from? You’re not—out alone, are you?”

Cait quickly shook her head. “No, I’m not out on the street,” she said, forcing a small laugh that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m... I’m at a friend’s place.”

Mel’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Uh-huh. This wouldn’t happen to be the same friend who hasn’t signed an NDA, would it?” The disapproval in her tone was unmistakable.

Heat crawled up Cait’s cheeks. She glanced at Vi, who was blinking in confusion. I was supposed to sign an NDA? Vi mouthed silently. Cait squeezed her hand beneath the blankets and shook her head, signalling don’t worry. “Yes,” she admitted to Mel. “I—she’s here with me right now.”

Mel exhaled sharply, her fingers pausing on the keyboard for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. Caitlyn watched nervously as her manager’s expression flickered between frustration and calculated calm. Mel’s tone, when she finally spoke, was clipped and laced with a touch of condescension.

“Great. Another scandal to handle,” Mel said, her voice as smooth as it was sharp. Her fingers resumed their relentless typing. “Didn’t we just finish cleaning up the last one? Honestly, Caitlyn, how many fires do you plan to light before I can even finish putting out the old ones?”

Caitlyn flinched, her shoulders drawing inward slightly. “I didn’t mean for this to happen,” she said softly, though the words felt hollow even to her.

Mel didn’t look up. “Yes, well, intention or not, here we are,” she murmured, her tone almost as cutting as the tapping of her keys. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. You and Jayce both have a knack for getting yourselves into messes, don’t you? Trouble seems to follow you Kirammans like a shadow.”

Caitlyn’s jaw tightened. The mention of her cousin felt like a slap, the comparison cutting deeper than she cared to admit. “This isn’t the same—I didn’t do this to myself,” she said quietly, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration and guilt.

Mel finally looked up, her sharp eyes locking on Caitlyn through the screen. For a moment, the air felt heavy with unspoken tension. Then, with a sigh, Mel softened her tone—just slightly. “We’ll sort out the legalities later, I need to figure out just how big this is,” she said curtly. “For now, get some rest. You need it.”

Cait’s stomach tightened. She wanted to explain more—about the fear, the rough hands grabbing at her, the cameras capturing everything. But before she could voice any of that, Mel shook her head. “Really, Cait, we’ll have to finish this later. I have another call in ten minutes, and you sound exhausted. Let’s handle the details once you’ve slept, alright?”

It was colder than Caitlyn was used to. Mel was usually firm but rarely so dismissive. “Okay,” she managed, voice cracking. “I’m sorry, Mel. I—”

“Goodnight, Caitlyn,” Mel interrupted gently, though her tone carried that same clipped professionalism. The screen went dark, leaving a reflection of Cait’s tearful eyes staring back at her.

Caitlyn stared at the phone, shock and hurt mingling in her chest. “She’s... never been that harsh before,” she whispered, thumb still hovering over the call button. “I don’t know what... maybe I really messed up, Vi.”

Without hesitating, Vi took the phone from her, placing it face-down on the bedside table. “Hey,” Vi said softly, easing Caitlyn onto her side and sliding next to her. She pressed a comforting hand to Cait’s back, stroking lightly. “We’ll worry about it in the morning, okay? You’re safe now.”

Cait gave a shaky nod, tears finally overflowing as she leaned into Vi’s warmth. The tension of the night weighed heavily on her, but at least in this moment, she wasn’t alone. Vi’s fingers traced soothing circles on her spine, and little by little, the adrenaline of the evening ebbed away.

Within minutes, Cait’s breathing evened out, and Vi settled in beside her, eyes drifting shut. The uncertainty of tomorrow loomed—Cait’s scandal, Vi’s involvement, Mel’s stern reaction—but for now, they allowed themselves this pocket of comfort in the quiet dark, holding each other tight against the unknown.

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Caitlyn woke to the warm weight of Vi’s arm curved around her waist and the soft rise and fall of Vi’s chest beneath her cheek. For a moment, she stayed perfectly still, letting the sunlight spilling through the curtains coax her gently out of her tangled dreams. The faint scent of shampoo lingered in Vi’s hair, and Cait found herself idly twisting a strand of pink between her fingers, studying Vi’s features in the quiet morning light.

Eventually, Vi stirred. Her eyelids fluttered, and she focused on Cait with a soft, sleepy smile. Leaning up, she guided Cait into a gentle kiss. It was unhurried, soft and secure. When Vi pulled back, she brushed her thumb over Cait’s cheek.

“How’re you feeling?” Vi asked quietly.

Cait sat up, easing out of Vi’s hold. She could sense Vi mirroring her posture, the mattress shifting as Vi crossed her legs. “I—” Cait’s voice wavered, and she laced her fingers through Vi’s for support. “I’m scared, mostly.”

Vi gave her hands a tender squeeze, silently encouraging her to continue.

“Last night…” Cait took a breath, steadying herself. “It triggered a lot of old fears. I don’t think you’ve seen it because you’re, well, chronically offline,” she attempted a weak grin, “but a year ago, I went to a house party without my family’s knowledge—kinda like I did with the, uh, ‘concert’ last night. But, my drink got spiked.”

Vi’s eyes narrowed protectively, but she stayed quiet, letting Cait talk.

Cait swallowed. “Pictures of me… and someone else got spread around. People posted them online with captions like ‘Gaytlyn Kirraman.’ The palace issued a statement claiming it was photoshopped, that it wasn’t real. But that was just them covering it up—I wasn’t allowed to say anything because admitting it was real would prove it was me. That’s when they shipped me off to Arizona to lie low, Like they did with my cousin Jayce many years ago, Gambling addiction. I guess they hoped it’d all blow over, just like Jayce.”

Vi’s hands tightened around hers. “That’s… messed up,” she murmured, brow creasing. “Did you report it? Did you ever find out who did it?”

Cait shook her head. “No. I wasn’t allowed to report or even talk about it. And the same people who spiked my drink must’ve taken the revenge porn images of me, too.” She winced at the memory. “That’s the scandal you saw last night, the one Powder showed you, same people, I…I thought they were my friends.”

Vi’s jaw clenched. “That’s awful, Cait. Your family—”

Cait cut in, tears pricking her eyes. “They were trying to protect me, in their way, but it was so isolating. I couldn’t do anything to clear my own name without confirming my identity. Now I’ve gone and done something reckless again, and it all could blow up. And—” She drew in a shaky breath. “You’re probably in those videos from last night, too. I signed up for this lifestyle; you didn’t”

Vi let out a sharp exhale. “If you want to report what happened last night… we know a detective—Grayson. She’s a close friend of the family. We can at least try—”

“I don’t know,” Cait whimpered, burying her face in her hands. “I’m terrified. I’m supposed to wait for Mel’s approval, anyway. I can’t just—”

“Bullshit,” Vi interrupted, voice trembling with emotion. “You were assaulted, Cait, in public. That’s not something you ‘sign up’ for, no matter what you snuck off to do.”

“I know,” Caitlyn whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks. “But I can’t help feeling like I caused it by sneaking out like my mother said I would. I am a disappointment.”

“No one ‘signs up’ to be assaulted,” Vi repeated more gently, tugging Cait closer. This time, Caitlyn let out a soft sob, pressing her forehead to Vi’s shoulder.

They stayed like that for several moments, Vi murmuring soothing words, her fingers gently threading through Caitlyn’s hair. The rhythmic motion seemed to ground Caitlyn, the warmth of Vi’s presence easing the tightness in her chest. Gradually, the sobs quieted, her breathing steadied, and the tears faded into soft sniffles.

Caitlyn pulled back slightly, her cheeks flushed from both emotion and the intensity of their closeness. She wiped at her damp cheeks, avoiding Vi’s gaze for a moment before she spoke, her voice hesitant. “Also…” She hesitated, her cheeks deepening in colour. “I’ve never kissed anyone before you. Or done… anything like last night.”

Vi’s brows lifted in surprise. “Anything?” she asked softly, though there was no teasing in her tone—only a kind of gentle curiosity.

Cait nodded, biting her lip. “I mean… I’ve always been so… sheltered. Everything I’ve done has always been under scrutiny. Cameras, bodyguards, advisors… even when I thought I had privacy, I never really did. And honestly…” Her voice faltered slightly. “I never trusted anyone enough. I thought… maybe I never would.”

Vi’s expression softened, her hand moving to caress Cait’s cheek, thumb brushing lightly against her skin. “Cait, I didn’t know. I mean, I thought… well, I guess I assumed you’d… you know…” She trailed off awkwardly, her own cheeks pinking. “I wouldn’t have rushed anything if I’d known.”

Cait shook her head quickly, her eyes wide. “No, Vi, please don’t think that. Last night—it was… special. I wanted it. I mean, I didn’t plan it, but I don’t regret it. Not with you.”

Vi’s heart ached at the sincerity in Caitlyn’s voice, but guilt still gnawed at the edges of her mind. “You deserve more than what I gave you, Cait. It should’ve been slow, planned, something perfect. Not ten drunken minutes in the middle of a chaotic night—”

Cait silenced her with a rough, hungry kiss, throwing her arms around Vi’s neck and straddling her lap, the bed frame creaking. Vi’s lips parted under hers, warmth surging between them. After a moment, Caitlyn managed to pull back just an inch, though the temptation to keep going hammered through her veins.

She gave a small, nervous laugh, her eyes glistening. “Vi, It was perfect to me. Not because of the timing or the place… but because it was you. I’ve never felt… safe like that before. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that with anyone.”

Vi’s hand tightened slightly on Caitlyn’s, a wave of emotion washing over her. “You mean so much to me, Caitlyn. I don’t want you to ever feel like you’re not worth the best. You are.”

Caitlyn’s lips parted, and her chest filled with warmth at Vi’s words. Slowly, she leaned forward, resting her forehead against Vi’s. “Then maybe,” she whispered, “next time can be our first time. The way you want it to be.”

Vi chuckled softly, her breath mingling with Cait’s. “Next time,” she murmured, her voice laced with both promise and determination. “But only after I’ve taken you out on a proper date. No rushing. No chaos. Just us.”

Caitlyn nodded, her eyes fluttering closed as Vi placed a soft, lingering kiss on her forehead. The tenderness in the gesture sent a wave of emotion crashing over Caitlyn—intense, almost overwhelming. It was like nothing she’d ever felt before. Safety, trust, affection… something deeper she couldn’t quite put into words yet, but it warmed her to the core and left her chest aching in the best way.

She pulled back slightly, her eyes searching Vi’s as if the answer might be written there. Her lips parted, but the words tangled in her throat, too big and too unfamiliar to say. Instead, she settled for a soft, grateful smile. It wasn’t enough—not for what she felt—but it was all she could manage.

“Thank you, Vi,” she murmured, her voice wavering just slightly. “For everything.”

Vi’s expression softened further, her hand brushing a stray strand of hair behind Cait’s ear. “Always,” she whispered back, her voice steady, a quiet promise lingering in the air between them.

They remained in that moment, foreheads pressed together, breathing in the promise of tomorrow. Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the kitchen downstairs, followed by Powder’s yelp of “Ow!”

Both girls jerked upright, exchanging startled looks. Caitlyn was the first to snicker, Vi rolling her eyes affectionately. “We should go see what that’s about,” Vi said, sliding out from beneath Caitlyn. “Before she destroys the entire kitchen.”

Caitlyn climbed off Vi’s lap, smoothing down her rumpled shirt. “Yeah, let’s go.” She slipped her hand into Vi’s, and together, they headed downstairs, hearts lighter than they’d been in a long, long time.

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When Caitlyn and Vi entered the kitchen, a sudden hush fell over the space. Powder, Ekko, Mylo, and Claggor were all loitering at the table while Vander stood at the stove, flipping pancakes. At the sight of Caitlyn, everyone seemed to hold their breath, reminders of the previous night’s chaos hovering in the atmosphere.

“Morning,” Vander greeted, attempting to break the tension. “Thought I’d, uh, whip up some pancakes. Figured it might help us all start fresh.”

A few murmured thank-yous drifted around the room. Powder offered Caitlyn a quick smile and gestured for her to take a seat beside Vi. The warmth of Vi’s hand laced with hers lasted only a moment before they both sank into chairs, the group shuffling closer around the table.

They ate in near-silence at first, the only sounds being the gentle scrape of forks on plates and the shuffle of feet under the table. Eventually, Caitlyn set her half-finished pancake aside, drawing a deep breath.

“I just... wanted to say thanks,” she began, looking around at each pair of eyes. “For last night—for everything. You all took care of me and...” Her voice wavered. “I don’t have the right words, but I’m forever grateful.”

“It’s really no big deal,” Mylo said, his tone gentler than usual. “We’d do the same for any one of us.”

A wave of assent rippled around the table—nods from Claggor and Ekko, a soft hum from Powder. Vander merely watched, brow creased with concern, spatula still in hand.

Powder cleared her throat. “How’re you really feeling, though? You okay?” She paused, her voice quiet but intent. “Especially, y’know, after everything that happened last night...in the kitchen.”

Cait glanced at Vi, then at Powder, and finally Vander. Her cheeks warmed as she remembered her panic attack—and how everyone had come to her side so quickly. “I’m... not okay, I guess,” she admitted, voice subdued. “But I’m trying to be. I was thinking, um...” She gulped, turning around to face Vander, who was rounding the corner of the breakfast bar. “Vander—if you could maybe help me find a therapist here in Arizona? Just a session or two. I...I think I need it.”

A grin lit Powder’s face, and she bounced in her seat. “Yes! That’s awesome, Cait!” she blurted, then ducked her head, realizing she’d been a bit too enthusiastic.

Under the table, Vi’s hand found Cait’s thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Cait reached for the comfort, curling her fingers around Vi’s for a moment before turning back to the group. “I guess I should try therapy here before I’m...sent back to England. Where I’ll be forced to pretend none of this happened.”

Vi, who’d been leaning in protectively, stiffened. “They can actually send you back?”

A flicker of panic crossed Cait’s features, but she steadied herself, placing a hand over Vi’s. “I won’t let them. I’ll do whatever it takes to stay. I promise.”

Before Vi could reply, Cait’s phone buzzed loudly on the table. The name Dad glowed on the screen, along with an incoming FaceTime call. Everyone’s eyes flicked to it at once. Caitlyn swallowed hard, her heart hammering against her ribs. She pressed her lips into a thin line, meeting Vi’s gaze for just a second—finding the strength there to answer.

“Sorry,” she murmured. “I guess I have to take this.” And with that, she rose from her chair, phone in hand, bracing herself for whatever conversation waited on the other end of the line.

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Caitlyn excused herself from the breakfast table, leaving behind half-eaten pancakes and a circle of worried faces. She slipped into the hallway, heart in her throat, she swallowed, steeling herself, and accepted the FaceTime call.

Tobias’s stern features filled the screen. The tension in his brow was evident before he even spoke. Without any greeting, he lifted his own phone to show a paused video—the neon haze of the rave unmistakable. Even in the poor resolution, Caitlyn could recognise her own alarmed expression in the crowd.

“Caitlyn,” he said tersely, “tell me this isn’t you.”

Her stomach twisted. She didn’t have it in her to lie. “It’s… it’s me,” she admitted.

Tobias exhaled, dragging the video timeline to reveal another clip, this time capturing her stumbling through the chaotic mass of people with Vi at her side. “So you were there. Christ, Caitlyn. Have you seen the media frenzy? Are you alright?” His voice held a shred of concern, but it warred with frustration.

Caitlyn opened her mouth to answer—No, I’m not alright. I was terrified, Dad.—but he powered on, cutting her off.

“Listen to me: under no circumstances are you to speak to the press. They’re probably outside the estate already. You are not to leave the estate until further notice, do you hear me?”

Her heart pounded as her father’s words rattled around in her mind. “I’m… not home,” she said quietly, fingers curling around the phone. “I—I’m… I’m somewhere else.”

Tobias’s brow furrowed, mouth tightening. “Then where exactly are you?” When she hesitated, he pressed, “Caitlyn, answer me.”

But Caitlyn’s throat locked up. She couldn’t bring herself to reveal Vi’s home—she didn’t need more chaos. “I’m safe,” she managed stiffly, “that’s all you need to know, Dad.”

He let out a sharp, frustrated breath. “Caitlyn, you can’t just vanish and expect us not to worry. Do you know what you’ve done? The damage to your reputation—our family’s reputation? How could you be so… so reckless?”

That word—reckless—seared through her. It felt like every drop of guilt and shame was concentrated in that one admonition. Tears pricked at her eyes; her hand shook around the phone.

“Fine,” she said, voice trembling. “If that’s what you think I am, then… goodbye.” She pressed the red button, ending the call before Tobias could say another word.

For a second, she stared at the now-blank screen, the echo of her father’s disapproval pulsing in her head. Then, the phone slipped from her grasp onto the carpet below her. She collapsed against the wall, sliding down to the floor with a ragged exhale. I just hung up on my own father. The enormity of it made her chest tighten.

She choked back a sob, pressing the heels of her palms against her eyes. Her father’s fear and anger mingled with her own terror, creating a knot of dread in her gut. She’d disappointed him—again. This time, she’d literally cut off the conversation that might have steered her out of the chaos.

Quiet footsteps approached, and when she looked up, she saw Vi standing there, eyes filled with concern. But Caitlyn could only shake her head, tears escaping down her cheeks as she tried to steady her frantic breathing. The sting of being called reckless—of confirming his worst suspicions—lingered painfully, and she felt utterly alone, even as Vi knelt down to wrap an arm around her.

How did it come to this? Caitlyn wondered bitterly. But she was too tired to form an answer, and so she let herself be folded into Vi’s embrace, guilt and anguish held at bay, for now, by the warmth of the only person left who truly understood.

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Caitlyn sat stiffly on the living room couch, her knees drawn up slightly, staring blankly at the phone vibrating incessantly in her lap. Every buzz, every ping, felt like a small stab to her already-frayed nerves. Her breath was shallow, her hands trembling slightly as she gripped the glass of water Ekko had handed her moments ago. Across the room, Vander, Powder, and Mylo were deep in conversation, brainstorming the next steps in hushed but urgent tones. Claggor stood nearby, arms crossed, occasionally chiming in with his calm, level-headed insights.

Vi sat close beside Caitlyn, her thigh pressed reassuringly against hers. She didn’t say much, just leaned slightly into her, her presence grounding. Caitlyn knew everyone in the room was focused solely on her safety—how to protect her from the fallout, how to help her feel secure. They talked about pressing charges, about finding the men who had attacked her, but Caitlyn barely heard them. Their concern should have been comforting, but she felt detached - like she was watching it all happen from somewhere far away.

Her phone buzzed again, rattling on her lap, and Caitlyn’s grip on the glass tightened. For ten agonising minutes, she tried to block out the sound and tried to focus on the murmured support and ideas around her. But the relentless flood of notifications was impossible to ignore. Her chest felt tighter with every vibration.

Finally, she set the glass of water down on the coffee table with a shaky hand and unlocked her phone. The screen lit up with chaos. Dozens of missed calls, hundreds of messages, and a constant stream of tags and notifications from social media. Videos of last night’s incident were everywhere—flashing thumbnails of her face, blurred out but unmistakable, mixed with captions and hashtags that sent nausea rolling through her stomach.

The room grew quieter as everyone noticed Cait staring at her phone, her face pale. Powder shifted closer, a worried crease in her brow. Vi leaned over, peering at the screen, and her jaw tightened when she caught sight of the trending videos.

“They’re already spinning it,” Caitlyn whispered, her voice barely audible. “The tags, the headlines—they’re all there. They’re going to dissect everything. What I was wearing, the way I reacted, who I was with...” Her voice trailed off as her throat tightened, her chest heaving slightly as the weight of it all pressed down on her.

“You don’t have to look at that right now,” Vi said gently, placing her hand over Cait’s.

Caitlyn shook her head, her fingers twitching against the phone. “I need to know what they’re saying. I need to—” She cut herself off, her voice cracking. “How did I let this happen? I should’ve been more careful. My family… They’re going to—”

“You didn’t let anything happen,” Vander interrupted, his deep, steady voice cutting through her spiral. He crouched in front of her, his gaze soft but firm. “You were targeted, Caitlyn. None of this is your fault.”

Caitlyn bit her lip, her vision blurring as the words sank in. She looked around at the group, all of them watching her with unwavering support. It was overwhelming, the way they rallied around her without hesitation, without judgment. For the first time in a long time, she felt something warm pushing against the numbness—a tentative sense of belonging.

Vi gently pried the phone from Caitlyn’s hands and set it aside on the table. “We’ll figure it out,” she murmured, brushing her thumb over Caitlyn’s knuckles. “But you don’t have to deal with this alone, okay?”

Cait looked up, her eyes wet with tears she refused to shed. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, voice raw. “I—I dragged you all into this mess, and now—”

Powder appeared beside them, arms folded and a determined expression on her face. “Nope,” she announced briskly, cutting Cait off. “You are not allowed to apologise again, or it’s a dollar in the swear jar.” She tried to crack a grin, hoping to break through the tension. It managed to coax only the faintest curve of Cait’s lips, but the guilt in her eyes didn’t waver.

Caitlyn’s phone buzzed again on the coffee table, lighting up with a new notification. Powder glanced at it first, frowning, before nudging Caitlyn to look. Caitlyn leaned forward, dread pooling in her stomach as she read the alert:

“Caitlyn, this is urgent. You must return to the estate immediately. If you are not home within the hour, we will be forced to involve the authorities. – Mel.”

Her breath hitched, her heart pounding so loudly it drowned out everything else in the room. Vi, who had been watching her closely, reached for her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“We have to get you home,” Vi said softly, her voice steady but tinged with concern. “I don’t want Mel calling the cops on you, and your parents are already freaking out.”

Caitlyn swallowed hard, the weight of the message settling over her like a storm cloud. She glanced over at Vander, who stood in the doorway with his arms crossed, his expression serious but understanding.

“All right,” Vander said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Let’s load up the van. No sense in putting this off.”

Cait nodded numbly, her heart pounding as she rose from the couch. She felt like she was walking underwater, every step slow and heavy. “Thank you,” she murmured, glancing from Vander to Powder to Vi. “Again.”

Powder fixed her with a warning stare, pointing a finger. “That’s another dollar,” she said, though her tone was gentle.

Cait tried to smile, but it faltered. She could barely swallow around the lump in her throat. Vi pressed Caitlyn’s phone to her chest, then bounded upstairs, returning moments later with Caitlyn’s things thrown haphazardly in her backpack. “Okay, let’s go,” she said, slipping an arm around Cait’s waist.

In a thick, uncomfortable silence, they all filed outside. Powder and Ekko lingered by the porch, watching with concerned eyes, while Mylo and Claggor stood near the van, arms crossed. No one spoke much as they climbed in. Caitlyn slid into the back seat, head bowed, Vi beside her, tangling their fingers together in a gesture of reassurance.

Ask her to come home with me, Caitlyn thought, her mind screaming for comfort, for Vi’s presence. But reality bit down hard: I have to sort this out alone first. She clenched her jaw, unable to voice the plea.

Vander turned the key in the ignition, and the engine rumbled to life. Tension pressed against every corner of the vehicle. As the van pulled away from the Lane household, Caitlyn stared at the passing houses through the window, heart pounding at what awaited her at home. She could feel Vi’s gaze on her, supportive and worried all at once, but she kept her eyes forward.

They were heading to the Kiramman estate, and Caitlyn had no idea what would be waiting for her once she got there. But she knew it wouldn’t be easy.

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Vander slowed the van to a crawl as they approached the Kiramman estate’s rear entrance. Even from this hidden angle, Caitlyn could spot the flood of reporters camped at the main gate, camera lights flickering like fireflies in the late morning air. She swallowed, steeling herself for the mess awaiting her inside.

“Just pull around to the back,” Caitlyn murmured, her voice subdued. Vander complied, driving along a narrow path covered by big trees, until they reached a smaller – but still quite large, private gate. A handful of staff, including Elora from the kitchen, hovered there with tense, worried expressions.

Vander cut the engine, turning slightly to look at Caitlyn. “Alright, we’ll—”

“Wait,” Caitlyn blurted, raising a hand to stop both him and Vi from opening their doors. Her eyes darted nervously between the two of them. “Don’t get out, either of you. It’s...safer if I go in alone.”

Vi bristled beside her, instinctively protective. “Cait, no—I’m not just leaving you to deal with this alone. I was there, too.”

A flicker of warmth touched Caitlyn’s gaze. She lifted a trembling hand to Vi’s cheek, and Vi leaned into the touch, her anger softening. “I know,” Caitlyn whispered, “but let me settle this first with my parents. This is bigger than just last night’s incident.”

Vi’s eyes flicked over Caitlyn’s face, reading the determination beneath the fear. She pressed a kiss to Caitlyn’s palm, her breath uneven. “Fine,” Vi said grudgingly. Before she could pull away, Cait rolled her eyes at the formality, then tugged her in for a deeper, more heartfelt kiss. It was a moment of fleeting comfort—one they both needed in the face of what Caitlyn was about to walk into.

When they broke apart, Caitlyn’s voice trembled. “I’ll call you once I’m done with Mel and my parents. Let me know if... if anyone shows up at your place, okay?”

“We’ve got Grayson on our side,” Vander chimed in from the driver’s seat, hands still on the wheel. “No one’s sneaking up on us.”

Caitlyn nodded, exhaling a shaky breath. “Thank you. All of you.” Without another look in the direction of where the press had situated themselves, she nudged open the side door. Almost immediately, Elora rushed forward, scolding her in a frantic whisper about running off and the trouble she’d stirred. Caitlyn heard it only as white noise. With a final glance at Vi’s concerned face, she steeled herself and disappeared behind the estate’s tall, ornate doors.

Inside the van, Vi stared at the closed gate for a long moment, her heart pounding. She hated feeling so helpless, so cut off from Caitlyn. Her breath came quicker than she liked, and she clenched her fists against her knees.

Vander watched her, waiting until the estate’s heavy door shut behind Caitlyn. Then he shifted his attention back to Vi. “You did good, kid,” he said, his voice soft but steady. “You stood by her.”

Vi let out a humourless laugh, lacing her fingers together. “Doesn’t feel like enough,” she confessed, her voice tight. “She’s in there, dealing with her parents, and the press, and her manager, and—and I can’t do a damn thing.”

Vander reached out, resting a large hand on Vi’s shoulder. “Hey,” he said gently. “You did what you could. She knows you’re here for her. That counts for a lot.”

Vi nodded, fighting the swirl of guilt in her stomach. “I just wish there was a way to... keep her safe, y’know?”

“You did, last night,” Vander reminded her. “And you’ll keep doing it. But sometimes, people have to fight their own battles—especially with family.”

She let out a deep sigh, tension still coiled in her chest. Vander started the engine again, reversing away from the estate grounds. The tension in the air was still palpable, but a sense of inevitability weighed on both of them, too.

“Let’s take the long way home,” Vander said, turning the van onto a quieter side road. “Just to avoid any stray cameras. And to give ourselves a minute to breathe.”

Vi only nodded, gaze fixed on the side mirror until the Kiramman estate was out of sight. Her heart clenched with a fierce mixture of worry and devotion, already counting down the moments until her phone buzzed with Caitlyn’s call. For now, all she could do was trust that Cait could handle what waited behind those tall doors—and that when the dust settled, they’d find each other again.