Page 79 of My Rockstar Ex's Broken Vows

Emma’s eyebrows shoot up. "Are you serious? I’ve never heard of an order like that."

I nod, letting out a heavy sigh. "And now I have to respond. Gus says Marcus doesn’t have a strong case to make this happen, but he’s recommending I meet with the school to hear them out anyway. It shows I’m not dismissing the option outright."

Emma leans back, crossing her arms. "So, what’s next?"

"I scheduled a meeting with the headmaster at Trinity Prep," I say, swirling my coffee absently. "It’s a week from tomorrow. We will go over the programs and what they offer. I’m trying to keep an open mind, but it feels like just another way for Marcus to bulldoze me into doing what he wants."

Emma tilts her head, her brow furrowing slightly. "Do you think you might consider moving him?"

"I don’t know," I admit. "I’ve heard Trinity is great, but Ollie’s happy where he is. He loves his teachers and his friends. Pulling him out feels wrong."

"Then go to the meeting, hear what they have to say," Emma says firmly. "And let that be that."

"That’s my plan," I say, though my voice wavers just slightly. "I just hate that I have to keep fighting him at every turn. It’s exhausting."

Her expression softens, and she reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. "I know. I hate it for you. Remember you're doing this for Ollie at the end of the day."

"Is it?" I murmur, my voice quieter now. "Because sometimes it feels like all I’m doing is dragging him through this mess."

Emma’s grip tightens. "Don’t do that to yourself. You’re showing him how a responsible parent behaves. Marcus is the one dragging this out, not you. Ollie may realize it one day, but even if he doesn't, you are his only true advocate. Fight, fight, fight."

I nod, but the knot in my chest doesn’t loosen. "I hate that this is what our life looks like now. Lawyers, court papers, constant fighting. It’s exhausting."

Emma tilts her head, studying me for a moment. "How’s Callum handling all this?"

The question catches me off guard, and I blink at her. "He doesn’t know."

Her eyebrows shoot up again. "You haven’t told him?"

"It just happened this morning. Plus, the last thing he needs is to be dragged into my drama," I admit, tracing the edge of my cup with one finger. "He’s got so much going on with the album, and... I don’t know. It feels like adding this on top would just?—"

"Stop," Emma says firmly, cutting me off. "Sienna, you can’t keep doing this. You can’t keep handling everything on your own because you’re afraid to ask for help. Callum cares about you—he’s not going to run because things get ugly with your ex."

"It’s not that," I say, shaking my head. "It’s just... Marcus already hates him. If he finds out Callum’s involved, he’ll use that against me. I don’t want to make things worse."

Emma sighs, leaning back in her chair. "I get that. But you’re allowed to have support, you know. You don’t have to do this alone."

I know she’s right—I know keeping Callum in the dark isn’t fair. But the thought of Marcus finding another way to twist the knife makes my stomach turn. And the worry that he could somehow hurt him professionally scares me.

"Look," Emma says gently. "You don’t have to tell him everything right now. But don’t shut him out, Sienna. He’s not Marcus. He wants to be here for you. Let him."

I nod slowly, her words sinking in. "Yeah. I know you're right. I’ll think about it."

"You better," she says, giving me a small smile. "Because if you don’t, I’m telling him myself."

I laugh despite myself, the sound lighter than I expected. "Oh, you're such a toughie. That might motivate me if I didn't know you."

"That’s why you love me," she says with a wink. "I’m a silent assassin."

TWENTY-SIX

Callum

The echoes fade, but scars still stay

Tuesday, April 1

The Mercer Courtyard

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