Page 51 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

My chest loosens just a little.

We’re still in.

My phone screen lights up with a message, causing my spine to stiffen.

Unknown number:

You looked good on camera. Shame it’ll be the last time.

The chill hits me like a splash of ice water.

I read it twice, then delete it before Sophie can glance over.

***

Back at the apartment, I try to breathe.

The success of the interview buzzes through every notification ping, every message lighting up my screen. The PR team forwards me their initial reactions: "A calculated vulnerability masterclass."

Even Denver texted.Didn’t know you had that in you.

Good.

If and when this whole fucking mess goes public, at least this interview can help with the public’s perception of me.

But none of it settles me.

I stand by the bedroom window again, same place I started the morning, the skyline now shrouded in dusk.

Sophie’s in the other room, finishing up her follow-up with the media team. Her voice comes clear through the wall, tight,focused, in control. The way she always sounds when she’s trying to hold the world together.

Except now she’s holding part of mine, too.

The memory of her eyes across the studio, not judging, just… hoping, won’t leave me.

And that message. The one I deleted before she could see it.

Shame it’ll be the last time.

My jaw locks as I scroll past another congratulatory text, the words blurring into static.

Whoever’s sending these threats, they want chaos. Fear. Hesitation.

But they’re not getting that from me.

Not this time.

I head for the bathroom, peeling off the suit piece by piece.

Every stitch feels like it’s broadcasting a signal, where to aim, where to hurt.

This isn’t just a change of clothes. It’s shedding the version of me they expect to destroy. The version of me I want to let go of.

In the mirror, I barely recognize the man staring back.

But I know what he’s ready for.

War.

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