Chapter 5 When Silence Breaks

The first thing Kai noticed when morning came was the weight.

It pressed against his chest like an invisible hand, heavy and unyielding. Not regret-no, that would have been easier. This was consequence. The kind that didn't ask whether he was ready.

His phone lay on the nightstand, screen dark now, but he knew what waited there. Missed calls. Messages. Damage.

He sat up slowly, running a hand through his hair, staring at the unfamiliar quiet of his apartment. No staff moving about. No parents down the hall. Just him, alone with a decision that had cracked open the life he'd been expected to live.

He had ended the engagement.

Said the words out loud.

There was no taking them back.

The phone vibrated as if summoned by his thoughts.

Father.

Kai exhaled and answered.

"You've embarrassed this family," his father said without greeting.

"Good morning to you too," Kai replied calmly.

"This is not a joke," his father snapped. "Selene's parents called at dawn. Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"Yes."

"You've jeopardized alliances, trust, reputation-"

"I've chosen honesty," Kai cut in.

Silence followed, sharp and dangerous.

"You are a Harrington," his father said coldly. "You do not get to choose feelings over legacy."

Kai's jaw tightened. "Then perhaps that's where we differ."

"You will fix this," his father demanded. "You will apologize. Publicly."

"No."

The word landed like a dropped glass.

"No?" his father repeated incredulously.

"I won't," Kai said evenly. "I'm done pretending."

"You think this woman is worth it?" his father asked. "Whoever she is?"

Kai didn't hesitate. "Yes."

The line went dead.

Kai stared at the phone, pulse steady despite the storm he knew was coming. For the first time in his life, fear didn't outweigh relief.

But relief didn't erase worry.

Because Lina hadn't answered him since last night.

Across the city, Lina stood under a shower that had long gone cold, water streaming down her back as she pressed her palms against the tiled wall.

I ended it.

The words replayed over and over in her mind, refusing to settle.

She wanted to believe him. God, she did. But belief had betrayed her before, dressed up as promises and sincerity.

She turned off the water and wrapped herself in a towel, heart still racing. Her phone lay on the counter where she'd left it, Kai's message still glowing like an unanswered question.

She hadn't replied because she didn't know how.

Because ending an engagement was not a small thing. Not something you did lightly. Not something you did for a woman you barely knew-unless you were reckless... or serious.

And seriousness scared her.

Her phone buzzed again.

Miriam:

Have you seen the news?

Lina frowned.

Lina:

What news?

Three dots appeared almost immediately.

Miriam:

You need to sit down.

Her stomach dropped.

A link followed.

Lina tapped it before she could talk herself out of it.

The headline stared back at her in bold letters:

HARRINGTON HEIR CALLS OFF ENGAGEMENT-SOURCES CITE "PERSONAL REASONS"

Her breath left her in a rush.

She scrolled.

Photos filled the screen-Kai stepping out of a building, jaw tight, cameras flashing. Selene beside him, composed but pale. Commentary speculating wildly.

Personal reasons.

A mysterious woman.

A scandal brewing.

Her hands trembled.

This wasn't private anymore.

This wasn't quiet.

This was loud.

Her phone buzzed again-this time from Kai.

She stared at his name, heart pounding.

Then answered.

"Lina," he said the moment the call connected. His voice was steady, but she could hear the tension beneath it. "I didn't want you to find out like that."

She swallowed hard. "You should have warned me."

"I tried," he said. "You didn't respond."

"I was trying to breathe," she replied quietly. "Do you have any idea what this looks like?"

"Yes," he said. "And I don't regret it."

That scared her more than anything else.

"Kai," she said, voice tight, "you don't blow up your life for someone you barely know."

"I know enough," he replied softly.

"That's not romantic," she snapped. "That's impulsive."

"It's honest," he countered. "And I'm tired of living dishonestly."

She pressed her eyes shut. "This puts me in the spotlight."

"I know," he said. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry doesn't stop the world from watching," she whispered.

Silence stretched between them.

Then Kai said, "Meet me."

Her heart jumped. "Where?"

"Harrington House," he replied. "Before the press does."

She hesitated.

"Please," he added. "I won't let this touch you without your consent."

That mattered.

"Give me an hour," she said.

By the time Lina arrived, the estate gates were already buzzing with activity. Reporters hovered at a distance, cameras poised, voices rising with every movement.

She parked further down the road and walked the rest of the way, heart hammering. This was exactly what she had spent years avoiding-attention she hadn't chosen.

Kai met her inside, away from the windows.

The moment she saw him, something in her chest softened despite herself. He looked tired but resolute, like a man who had crossed a line and refused to step back.

"I'm sorry," he said again, quietly.

She crossed her arms. "You don't get to be."

A muscle in his jaw twitched. "I didn't do this to trap you."

"I know," she said. "But intention doesn't erase impact."

He nodded. "Tell me what you need."

The question surprised her.

"What?"

"What do you need right now?" he repeated. "I've made my choice. I won't make yours for you."

She studied him, searching for manipulation, ego, expectation.

Found none.

"I need honesty," she said. "All of it. No more selective truths."

"You have it," he replied immediately.

She inhaled. "And I need space."

His chest rose slowly. "How much?"

"Enough to decide if this is real-or just collateral damage."

The words hurt, but he didn't flinch.

"Take it," he said. "But know this-I didn't do this because of pressure or impulse. I did it because I don't want a life where I wonder what might have been."

Her throat tightened.

Before she could respond, shouting rose outside.

Kai stiffened. "They're getting closer."

Lina glanced toward the sound, dread curling in her stomach. "They'll come for me."

"Yes," he said. "And I won't let them."

"How?" she demanded.

"I'll make it clear," he said. "You are not a secret scandal. You are not a rumor."

Her heart pounded. "Kai-"

He stepped closer, voice firm. "I won't name you. But I won't deny that I chose differently."

"That's still loud," she said.

A faint smile touched his lips. "I warned you."

She exhaled shakily. "You did."

The press conference happened an hour later.

Lina watched from a side room, heart racing, as Kai stepped forward alone. Cameras flashed like lightning.

He stood tall, unflinching.

"I won't discuss my personal life in detail," he said calmly. "But I will say this: I ended my engagement because honesty matters more to me than appearances."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"There is no scandal," he continued. "There is only a man choosing to live truthfully. Anyone else involved deserves privacy and respect."

The words landed solidly.

Lina pressed a hand to her chest.

For the first time, she didn't feel like a shadow.

That evening, Lina returned home exhausted, emotions frayed.

Miriam was waiting.

"You're trending," Miriam said flatly.

Lina groaned. "I didn't ask for this."

"No," Miriam said gently. "But you didn't run from it either."

Lina sank onto the couch. "I don't know if I'm strong enough for this."

Miriam sat beside her. "You're stronger than you think."

Silence followed.

"Do you love him?" Miriam asked softly.

Lina stared ahead. "I don't know."

"But you feel something."

"Yes."

"Loud?"

Lina laughed weakly. "Deafening."

Later that night, Kai stood on his balcony again, phone in hand.

He didn't text her.

He waited.

Across the city, Lina picked up her phone, stared at his name.

Then typed-

Lina:

I need time. But I don't regret meeting you.

Kai closed his eyes.

Kai:

Neither do I. Take all the time you need. I'll still be here.

She smiled faintly, tears slipping free.

Some loves didn't crash into your life.

They shattered it-then asked you to rebuild.

And this one?

This one was already far too loud to hide.