Stinging Words & Silent Tears
Caitlyn sat stiffly at the long conference table, her fingers gripping the delicate porcelain cup of tea Elora had set in front of her. The faint aroma of chamomile filled the room, but it did little to calm her fraying nerves. The large TV screen flickered on, showing a grid of faces: her mother, Cassandra, wearing her usual unyielding expression; Tobias, her father, looking worried but reserved; Mel, sharp and businesslike as always; and several members of the Kiramman legal team, their faces devoid of warmth, as usual.
Caitlyn instinctively straightened her posture, slipping into the conditioned state of compliance she’d been taught her whole life. Every nerve in her body felt taut, as though she was bracing for impact. Her hands clasped tightly in her lap, knuckles whitening with each stinging word from Cassandra.
“What were you thinking, sneaking out to some… some concert of all things?” Cassandra’s voice was sharp, each syllable slicing through the air like a blade. Her disapproval dripped with venomous disbelief. “Do you have any idea how irresponsible that was? How easily this could have escalated into an international scandal? Oh wait—no, it already has! Or do you think I haven’t seen the news? The headlines? The videos circulating online?”
Caitlyn flinched but stayed silent, her gaze fixed on her lap. Cassandra continued, her words unrelenting.
“And do not feed me this nonsense about it being a concert,” she snapped, her tone cutting. “Do you honestly expect me to believe that? It’s clear as day from those videos that you weren’t at some civilised event—you were at a wild, desert hooligan festival! Dancing like some common reveller. Do you have any idea how utterly disgraceful that is? How beneath your station?”
Caitlyn’s cheeks burned with shame, but a spark of defiance flickered within her. She opened her mouth, but Cassandra wasn’t finished.
“This is exactly the kind of reckless behaviour we feared when Mel told us you insisted on staying in Arizona. We gave you this chance to prove yourself - to grow - and this is how you repay us? Do you even comprehend the kind of damage control this will require? Do you understand what you’ve done?” Cassandra’s voice rose with every question, each one a rhetorical dagger. “Have you learned nothing from last time? Or are you just determined to humiliate this family at every turn?”
Caitlyn’s nails dug into her palms as she fought the urge to snap back. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of guilt, frustration, and anger bubbling under the surface.
“And to make matters worse,” Cassandra continued, her voice icy, “you were manhandled in public. That footage is everywhere, Caitlyn. The entire world is seeing you as nothing but a wild child who can’t even manage her own safety. And don’t think for a second that your ridiculous excuses about being with a friend will make this any better.”
Tobias finally cleared his throat, cutting into Cassandra’s rant. “Cassandra,” he said firmly, his voice low and controlled, “that’s enough. Let her explain.”
Cassandra shot him a glare, her lips pursed. “Fine,” she said with a huff, leaning back in her chair. “Let’s hear it, then. Explain to us what exactly you were thinking, Caitlyn. Enlighten me.”
Caitlyn’s fingers fidgeted with the edge of the tablecloth, her gaze flitting between her lap and the faces on the screen. Her voice was barely above a whisper when she began to speak.
“I just… I needed to feel normal for a little while,” she stammered, her words faltering as Cassandra’s unyielding stare bore into her. “I wanted to… to be around people who—who don’t see me as just a title or some… obligation.”
“You needed?” Cassandra cut in sharply, her icy tone slicing through Caitlyn’s explanation. “What you need is to stop thinking you can gallivant around like an ordinary teenager. You’re not, Caitlyn. You’re a princess. You’ll be ruling a nation one day. This—” Cassandra gestured toward the screen, clearly referring to the scandal unfolding online, “—is NOT how a future queen acts.”
Caitlyn flinched at the words, her hands gripping the edge of the conference table as if to steady herself. “Mother, I—”
“I don’t want to hear excuses,” Cassandra snapped, her voice rising. “If you keep sneaking out like this, we’ll have no choice but to tighten your security. You won’t so much as leave your room without a guard. Do you understand me?”
Her cheeks burned, and she bit her lip, knowing how weak the explanation sounded. “I didn’t mean for it to get out of hand. I didn’t think—” She stopped, shaking her head slightly, frustration welling in her throat. “I thought it would just be a night out, I took precautions - I disguised myself. Something harmless.”
Cassandra leaned forward, her fingers steepled, her voice cold. “Harmless?” she repeated. “Sneaking out without informing anyone? Surrounding yourself with strangers? Putting yourself in a situation where something like this could happen? That’s harmless to you?”
Caitlyn swallowed hard, her hands clenching into fists under the table. Her heart was screaming to tell them how safe she had felt, how loved and seen, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. Not when it would mean bringing Vi into the firing line.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” she said finally, her voice cracking. “I just wanted to be myself for one night.”
Her words hung in the air, feeble and unconvincing. Cassandra’s piercing gaze didn’t waver.
“Yourself?” Cassandra said, her tone dripping with disbelief. “Yourself, Caitlyn? Yourself doesn’t get plastered all over the internet in compromising videos. Yourself doesn’t jeopardise the entire family’s reputation for a night out.”
Caitlyn flinched, her throat tightening as tears pricked the corners of her eyes. She looked down, her voice barely audible. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
Tobias’s voice cut through the tension, softer but still concerned. “Caitlyn,” he said gently, “if this wasn’t just some random outing, you need to be honest with us. Who were you with? Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
Caitlyn’s chest clenched, the weight of her father’s words bearing down on her. Her lips parted, the truth bubbling up before she swallowed it back. She couldn’t bring Vi into this—not now. Not when everything was already spiralling.
“I just… I went with a friend,” she said vaguely, her voice barely steady. “I didn’t think it would matter. I thought I’d be fine.”
Cassandra’s sharp inhale sent a shiver down Caitlyn’s spine. “Fine? Clearly, you’re incapable of making that judgment for yourself.”
Caitlyn’s jaw clenched, her nails digging into her palms as she fought the urge to defend herself. She wanted to scream that she’d felt safer with Vi than she ever had under the suffocating watch of the Kiramman name. Yet instead, she just nodded weakly, her eyes fixed on the grain of the table as Cassandra’s tirade continued.
The conference room was unbearably tense, the air heavy with the weight of unspoken frustrations and conflicting priorities. Caitlyn sat stiffly, her teacup cooling in her hands, while Cassandra’s gaze bore into her through the screen. Mel’s composed face flickered slightly, the only indication she was bracing for what was about to unfold.
“Here’s how we handle this,” Mel began, her fingers tapping rapidly on her keyboard. “The videos circulating are grainy, but it’s clear enough for speculation. I recommend issuing a statement. Something to discredit the footage—claim it wasn’t you, maybe fabricate an alibi. We’ll deny your involvement entirely. We’ll claim that this is another attempt to target the family, just like the fabricated revenge porn images. We’ll stress that these accusations are baseless and part of a coordinated smear campaign.”
Caitlyn’s stomach twisted, and she set her cup down with a sharp clink. “Mel, no,” she interrupted, her voice trembling but resolute. “This wasn’t some smear campaign. This was different. I was there, and I was assaulted,” Before Caitlyn could stop herself, she asked, “What about pressing charges?”
The room went silent. Cassandra’s eyes narrowed, her expression unreadable. “Pressing charges? Absolutely not,” she said flatly. “We will not admit that it was you,” she said firmly. “Do you understand the implications of that? Publicly acknowledging your presence there? It would be catastrophic. We’re trying to protect you, Caitlyn.”
“Protect me?” Cait’s voice rose, her frustration spilling out. “By pretending it didn’t happen? By denying the truth?”
“This isn’t about denial,” Cassandra snapped, her demeanour cold and unwavering. “This is about safeguarding your reputation and, by extension, the family’s. We don’t bow to baseless accusations, and we certainly don’t hand over admissions to feed the press.”
“But it wasn’t baseless, Mother!” Caitlyn cried, her voice cracking. “I was there. I know what happened. And I want to report it.”
Cassandra’s expression hardened - her mouth a thin line. “Caitlyn, We are not pressing charges. Do you have any idea what kind of scrutiny that would bring? Every detail of your life, every misstep—real or fabricated—would be dredged up for public consumption.”
Caitlyn’s fists clenched on the table. “So what? We let them get away with it? I’m just supposed to pretend I’m fine when I’m not? I was terrified. I—” She hesitated, hearing Vi’s words echo in her mind: No one signs up to be assaulted. Gathering her courage, she continued, She was trembling now, her voice raw with emotion. “I can’t keep doing this. I’m struggling, Mother. I need help. Therapy. Something.”
For a moment, Cassandra’s face softened—but only slightly. “Then you’re coming home to England,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Clearly, Arizona is too much pressure for you. You’re acting out more here than you ever did in London. At least if you’re home, we can keep a close eye on you.”
“No!” Caitlyn stood abruptly, her chair screeching against the floor. Her fists slammed onto the table, rattling the untouched tea service. “I am NOT going back. Not yet.”
Cassandra’s brow arched, though her face remained composed. “And why, exactly, are you so adamant about staying?” she asked coolly, her voice laced with suspicion.
Caitlyn faltered, her heart pounding. She couldn’t bring Vi into this—not yet. “Because I’m happy here,” she said, her voice quieter but no less resolute. “I—I love… the life I’m building here. I’m not ready to give that up.”
Before Cassandra could press further, Mel interjected, her tone calm but clipped. “Let’s focus on actionable steps,” she said, casting a meaningful glance at Cassandra. “I’ll look into the legalities of pressing charges and find a suitable therapist in Arizona. Caitlyn’s safety and well-being are the priority, and it’s clear we need a multifaceted approach.”
Mel’s uncertainty was evident, her measured tone betraying her reluctance to endorse any course of action that might bring more public attention. Caitlyn sank back into her chair, her chest heaving as the adrenaline began to fade. Guilt flared up as she glanced at her mother, knowing she’d just raised her voice in a way she never had before.
“I apologise for my outburst, Mother I—,” Caitlyn muttered, her gaze dropping to the table.
Cassandra waved her off with a dismissive flick of her hand. “Save your apologies for tomorrow when the news gets a hold of this. God knows what hideous things they’ll say.”
“Good night, everyone,” she added curtly, her tone signalling that the discussion was over. Tobias lingered for a moment; his eyes soft with concern as he gave Caitlyn a small, reassuring nod before disconnecting. Then, with a few keystrokes, Mel kicked off the rest of the legal team, leaving Mel and Caitlyn alone.
Mel leaned forward, adjusting her glasses and lacing her fingers together. “Caitlyn, I need to ask for the name of your friend,” she said, her tone measured but firm. “It’s not to pry, but for your safety. If she’s going to be connected to you in this mess, I need to make sure she doesn’t have anything in her background that could make things worse. This stays between us.”
Caitlyn tensed, her grip tightening on the edge of the table. “No,” she said softly but resolutely. “I’m not giving you her name.”
“Caitlyn,” Mel pressed, her voice losing a bit of its professional edge. “I’m not going to tell anyone else. You have my word. But this is a serious situation. Knowing who she is could help me protect both of you.”
Cait shook her head, crossing her arms defensively. “I’m not dragging her into this any more than she already is. I can’t.”
Mel exhaled sharply, sitting back in her chair. Her fingers drummed against the desk, frustration flickering across her features. “Fine,” she said, though her tone hinted that she wasn’t entirely letting it go. “But let me say this: she’s already in it, Caitlyn. By association, by proximity—whatever the nature of your friendship is, the media will dig into her life the second her name surfaces. You need to be sure she can handle that.”
Caitlyn’s jaw clenched, her mind flashing to Vi’s unwavering loyalty and her family’s warm embrace. Despite everything, they’d made her feel safe. “She can handle it,” Cait said, her voice quieter but steady. “Her whole family has her back, and mine. We will handle it together.
Mel studied her for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, with a faint nod, she returned her focus to her laptop. “Good. Because this isn’t going away anytime soon.”
The silence stretched as Mel tapped a few more notes on her keyboard. Caitlyn’s chest felt heavy, the weight of the conversation pressing down on her.
Mel glanced back up briefly. “Get some rest, Caitlyn. I’ll handle the legal side of things from here.”
Caitlyn nodded only slightly, her throat tight. “Thank you, Mel.”
Without another word, Mel’s image flickered off the screen, leaving Caitlyn staring at her own reflection in the dark monitor. Her mother’s words lingered like an echo, heavy and unshakable. This is not how a future queen acts.
Unable to face the oppressive silence, Caitlyn stood abruptly and made her way outside to the secluded garden by the fountain. The cool air hit her skin as she sank onto the stone bench, her head falling into her hands. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
I need Vi. The thought came unbidden but fierce, cutting through the haze of her overwhelmed mind. She wasn’t ashamed of how much she wanted—needed—the pink-haired girl by her side. For the first time all day, Caitlyn allowed herself to exhale, her focus sharpening. I’ll deal with this, but I’m not doing it alone.
-----------------------------------------------
The room was alive with the soft, dreamy chords of “Everywhere” from Vi’s well-loved Tango in the Night vinyl. The music swirled around her, but it did little to calm her nerves. Vi paced the length of the attic, running her fingers through her pink hair, the creak of the wooden floorboards under her feet matching her restless thoughts. She could barely focus. Caitlyn’s tear-streaked face, her trembling voice—it all haunted her since leaving the Kiramman estate hours ago.
The door creaked open, and Powder peeked her head in, her expression a mix of concern and urgency. “Vi, Vander wants you to come downstairs. Grayson and Olivia are here.”
Vi froze mid-step, a wave of apprehension tightening her chest. “They’re here?” she asked, voice tinged with unease.
Powder nodded, stepping fully into the attic. “Yeah, Vander filled them in. You don’t have to go into everything, but… they’re here to help, you know?”
Vi exhaled sharply, dragging her hands over her face. “Right. Okay. Let me grab my phone.”
She adjusted her shirt, ran a hand through her hair again, and turned the music off. The abrupt silence felt almost deafening as she pocketed her phone and followed Powder downstairs.
The familiar hum of conversation greeted Vi as she entered the living room. Grayson, in her usual composed yet approachable manner, was seated beside Olivia, who offered Vi a warm, understanding smile. Vander was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching Vi carefully.
Vi hesitated for a moment, but Olivia’s presence immediately eased some of her tension. Therapy sessions with Olivia always felt grounding, and even now, outside of that context, she exuded calmness. “Hey,” Vi said, shoving her hands into her pockets as she made her way into the room.
“Hey, kid,” Grayson said, her sharp eyes softening slightly as she looked at Vi. “We just wanted to check in after what Vander told us.”
Vi sat down across from them, Powder taking the seat beside her. Vander offered a reassuring nod, motioning for her to share as much as she felt comfortable.
“It’s… a lot,” Vi admitted, rubbing the back of her neck. She turned to Olivia, trying to provide context to the situation as if she was unaware. “The ‘Cait’ I’ve been talking about—yeah, she’s that Caitlyn. Princess of England.”
Olivia’s smile didn’t waver. “I pieced that together when Grayson mentioned on the drive over here, you were involved with someone high-profile.”
Vi groaned, sinking back into the couch. “God, this is embarrassing.”
Olivia chuckled softly. “It’s not embarrassing, Vi. It’s complicated, sure, but it’s not embarrassing.”
Vander leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “So, the question is—what’s Caitlyn planning to do about it? Is she going to report it?”
Grayson nodded in agreement. “We’ve seen the videos. The incident was awful. But we also noticed you’re in those videos, Vi.”
Vi straightened up. “I’m in them?”
Grayson’s expression turned serious. “Yes. You’re seen taking down those two men. It’s clear they were in the wrong, but legally… you could face some issues for the violence.”
Vander chuckled under his breath, unable to hide his pride. “That’s my girl,” he muttered with a grin.
Vi managed a weak smile at her surrogate father, but her mind raced. “If it means Caitlyn gets justice, I don’t care,” she said firmly. “I’ll take whatever comes.”
Powder frowned, leaning forward and placing her hand on Vi’s arm to bring her back down to earth. “Vi, you can’t just throw yourself into this without thinking it through. You’ve got to use your head, not just your heart, for once.”
Before anyone could respond, Vi’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, her breath catching when she saw Caitlyn’s name.
Caitlyn: Vi, I need you. Please.
Her heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, she quickly typed out a response: I’m on my way.
Vi stood, already heading for the door. “I’m sorry, I have to go,” she said, grabbing her jacket.
“Wait, Vi,” Vander called, his tone wary. “Where are you going?”
“To Caitlyn’s,” Vi said over her shoulder. “She needs me.”
Vander exchanged a look with Grayson and Olivia but didn’t stop her. “Take the truck. Drive safe.”
Vi nodded, pausing only to grab the keys from the counter before dashing out the door. She could still feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on her as she climbed into the truck, her hands gripping the wheel tightly.
The engine roared to life, and Vi pulled out onto the road, her heart pounding with urgency. Caitlyn needed her—and no force on earth could keep Vi from being by her side.