Tune In for My "Apology"

rever, looked at me as if I were a stain on his expensive

an impossible six-figure settlement and a

Gabriel believed her lies, publicly denounced me, and shattered my world. The scandal

e I never committed, his eyes cold and unyielding. The

ysterious billionaire made me an offer. He kne

nted a s

d to giv

pte

stain on his expensive suit, and I knew my life was about to shatter all over again. Three years. Thre

ar-old half-brother, Jalen, would pick a fight with Aspen Watkins's younger brother, Jorden. And just like that,

rted. Gabriel sat opposite me, his posture rigid, a stark contrast to the casual way he used to lean into me, his arm a warm weight around my waist. Now, he was a high-powered att

d out a series of glossy photographs, each one a close-up of Jorden' s bruised face. A split lip, a swollen

court, the one that broke down witnesses and swayed juries. It was the voice that had once whispered promises against m

as a good kid, but he was also a ticking time bomb of anger, especially when it came to anyone associat

managed, my voice barely a whisper. "There has to be

conjecture and personal vendettas hold no weight in a court of law, Elle. We deal i

t tore at the carefully constructed wall I' d built around myself. He believed

chaos he' d caused. He caught my eye and offered a sneering smile, a flicker of triumph in his eyes. Jalen, who was supposed to be sitting

eep my voice steady. "Was there a police report

to court. For now, we're attempting mediation, a courtesy extended by the Watkins family." He paused, his eyes

eveled, his eyes blazing. "I hit him!" he practically yelled, his v

n, no!" I scrambled to my feet, my ch

bout you, Elle. Talking about how you deserved everything that happened, how you

len' s face was contorted with rage, his fists clenched at his sides. He

e through this farce," he spat, glaring at Gabriel and Jorden. "Do what you want. I don't care."

rushing to the do

lfway down the corridor, his long strides carry

you?" He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "You're just like them. Always trying to fix things, always trying to be the good girl. Look where that got

Their car crash, rushing to New York after the scandal broke, after I was expelled. My chest tightened, a col

on, the raw pain in his voice, pressed down on me. Jalen watched me, his expression a mix of defiance a

ir out of my lungs. I stumbled back into the mediation room, my legs feeling like lead. Gabri

as... productive." He leaned forward, his hands clasped on the table. "Given your broth

hitched.

for his physical and emotional trauma, and to ensure such an incident d

el! You know our situation!" The words tumbled out, desperate and raw. He knew. He of all

n Jalen's outburst, that's a very real possibility. A public apology from you, Elle, would also be expecte

lood ran cold. The thought of facing the cameras again, of being publicly humiliated once more, made me

to the settlement and arrange the apology. Otherwise, we proceed with legal

Gabey, darling," he drawled, his voice sickly sweet. "

atkins. Of course. They were engaged. The thought was a bitter taste in my mouth, a stark r

. "Justice, Jorden, is about consequences. And some consequences," his voice hardened, "are long overdue." His eyes bor

preening, and then they were both walking out, leaving me alone in the silent roo

kin. My head fell into my hands, the tears burning my eyes but refusing to f

dealistic, and deeply in love. He was the scholarship student from a modest background, brilliant and ambitious, while I was the carefree heiress, indulging in my passion for art. Our worlds were differe

venomous jealousy. She always overshadowed me. Or at least, that's what she claimed. She craved the spotlight, t

g her life a living hell. She painted herself as the victim, the sensitive artist driven to the brink by the "privileged bul

is face a mask of betrayal. "I thought

he evidence, carefully crafted by Aspen, was too convincing. He broke up

pen's gallery show, destroying her art, the very thing she claimed I hated. It was a stupid, impulsive act bo

been in a car accident. They were gone. Just like that, everything I had, everything I loved, was stripped away. The family busines

a constant companion, a heavy stone in my gut. If I hadn' t been so reckless, so i

Jalen. I had to protect Jalen. A six-figure settlement. It was an impossible sum. I was already working two jobs, a VIP hostess at

ed out to a few days ago, desperate for any high-paying gig. The subject line read: "VIP Ho

The compensation for this particular engagement would cover a significant portion of your recent financial obligation. However, it comes with... specific c

nded dangerous, demeaning, probably illegal. But the alternati

y by midnight tonight. This of

ut I had no choice. I typed out