Cassian sat on the edge of the rehearsal studio’s leather bench, half-listening as the director rambled about lighting changes. His phone was face-down beside him, silent—but his thoughts weren’t.

Something felt off.

The air had changed. Not in the room—in him.

Ever since Elara stopped replying… ever since the strange message… he hadn’t slept properly. Not when his mind wouldn’t stop replaying her expression that day—tight-lipped, guarded.

His fingers curled.

He never should’ve let his mother get that close.

His phone buzzed.

Message from Jace [Manager]:

> “You might want to sit down.”

“Selena visited Elara.”

Cassian’s heart stopped. He picked up the phone, already calling.

Jace answered on the first ring.

“She just showed up?” Cassian demanded.

“Apparently she found her through some investigator,” Jace muttered. “I only found out because someone from Everhart tipped me off. Elara didn’t tell you?”

“No.” His voice was low, clipped. “Of course she didn’t.”

She was already pulling away—why would she tell him more?

He hung up and stood abruptly, ignoring the startled glance from the director.

Selena. Always scheming, always watching. Of course she would dig. Of course she would twist something pure into scandal.

And now… Elara was in the middle of it.

His thoughts spiraled. Was she okay? Did Selena say something cruel? Did she threaten her?

A quiet rage built in his chest.

Selena was relentless. But dragging Elara into this?

That was war.

He opened their chat again. Still no new messages.

Then, hesitantly, he typed:

> “I heard someone came to see you.”

He stared at it… then deleted it.

No. Not like this.

Not another distant message. Not another word she could ignore.

This time, he’d go in person. No warning. No excuses.

He needed to see her eyes. Needed to know if she was still willing to face him—or if this mess had pushed her too far.

Cassian grabbed his jacket and stormed out of the studio.