He walked her a few steps away from the stage. Just out of earshot from most people. Not from Eli. Eli drifted a little closer, pretending to check cables

So, the producer said, folding his arms. We love you for this season. We’re going to lean on you pretty heavy for story. Hope that’s okay.

Her stomach tightened. Story. She knew what that word meant here. Story meant edit. Story meant narrative. Story meant This is who you are now because we decided it tests well.

What kind of story, she asked, keeping her voice calm like Carina said

You know he said A girl from the hard side of fashion. The silent beautiful one who found her voice and is finally ready to tell the world You don’t own me. We build you as the girl who broke out. That’s good TV. People love break out energy. They see themselves in that

Her face stayed even. It did sound good. It sounded almost exactly like what she really felt. Part of her wanted to grab it. But she also heard the quiet part under it. The silent beautiful one. That first line was a cage. Beautiful first. Quiet first. Like that was her base setting.

I am not silent, she said

He smiled. Of course. That is the point. You used to be silent and now you speak.

No, she said. I was never silent. People just were not listening yet

That made his smile pause for one second. She watched it happen. It was small but she saw it. He had come in thinking she would nod and say Thank you sir for the storyline. He did not plan for a note back.

He recovered fast. Right. Sure. I like that. Maybe we build that in. You were always a singer in your heart. You just did not have a mic yet

That works she said Calm

He nodded. Great. We just also need something for tension. The audience hooks better when there’s a clear obstacle. We were thinking your agency.

Her heart kicked hard. No

He blinked. Sorry

No she said again. She did not raise her voice. She said it plain. You are not going to put my agency’s name on TV and say they tried to control me. I am not starting that fire on screen. I am not getting sued at twenty one on national stream. And I am not giving them that spotlight. They do not get to be my villain.

He watched her for a long second. She held his gaze. Her hands were shaking but her face was steady. Calm. Calm scares them more. She remembered

Okay he said slowly. That’s fair. You’re right. That could get complicated.

He was lying. She knew it. He was going to try again later from a different angle. That was fine. She was ready for that now.

He changed tone. But we still need tension. Can we say you come from a hard background Economically, I mean. Can we do a line like I didn’t have anything growing up so all I had was my voice

Her chest pulled tight. No, she said. I am not going to lie about being hungry just so people feel bad for me and vote. I did not grow up rich. But I had a roof. I had my mom. I had music. You can say that. You can say My mom always told me Your voice is yours. Do not let anyone take it. That’s true. That’s mine. But you are not going to turn me into a sad street kid just to make a better trailer.

He rubbed his jaw. You rehearsed this

I live this she said

He let out a short laugh at that. Okay. I see you. We can work with that. He clapped her shoulder. You are intense. America is going to like you. Just breathe and keep your jaw loose.

He walked off like the conversation had gone his way even though it did not. That made her almost smile. She looked over at Eli. He raised both eyebrows like Well damn. Then he mouthed Calm kills spin. She nodded yes

Her phone buzzed again in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw a new message from an unknown number. We can get you brand work. Beauty lines. Clothing partnerships. We can lock six figures this quarter. Let’s talk while it’s still hot.

Her stomach turned. She did not answer

Then another message. From the agency director this time. We need to discuss media phrasing. You are approaching defamation line. If this becomes an issue we will pursue it formally. Call me today

Her hands went cold. She read that twice. Pursue it formally. Legal threat voice. She hated how fast her body reacted. Fear slid up her spine like ice water. She could feel her throat tighten like it wanted to close

She thought of Carina. Calm is power. Say the line. Then walk away.

She typed back My rep in Nashville is reviewing terms and language. All media requests will go through her. I’ll connect you if needed.

Her thumb shook as she hit send. She immediately screenshotted the whole message and sent it to Carina with one line I did it like you said please tell me that was right

Carina answered fast Good girl. Perfect. That wording makes you sound represented and reasonable. Now they cannot bully you on the phone because you made a record. If they threaten again you forward it to me. Drink water

She laughed out loud right there on the side of the rehearsal stage. Drink water. Somehow that line alone pulled her heartbeat back down

After mic check she was allowed a break before wardrobe call. She and Eli ended up sitting on the edge of the stage stairs with paper cups of bad coffee. The room around them hummed with voices but for a minute it almost felt quiet

Eli nudged her with his shoulder. You did good with him. Producers do not hear no a lot. You gave them no without fire. That is skill

I felt like I was going to throw up, she said honest

That is normal he said. If you are not a little sick you are not protecting anything that matters

She looked at him. Why are you helping me

He shrugged. Good audio sounds better on artists who do not get eaten alive. Also I just like your voice

That made her chest warm in this slow steady way. Thank you

He nodded once. So. Round three. You nervous

Yes