LIV’S POV

I sat frozen, blinking at the screen as Kaelon’s voice echoed from the television. My chest rose and fell like I’d just sprinted a mile uphill. His words, every syllable, struck something deep inside me.

"I am in love with Liv Bennett. I have been for a long time. And I will not let baseless rumors, cheap scandals, or anyone's petty vendettas come between us.”

The room around me vanished. I barely heard the gasps from Rose and Lara as the words reverberated through the silence that followed.

"Did you know about this?" Rose’s voice broke through first, surprised but sharp.

I opened my mouth, but no sound...