Chapter 4

The red recording lights on the hidden cameras blinked to life simultaneously.

Don walked into the living room. He wore a sharp suit and a perfectly practiced television smile.

"Welcome, everyone," Don announced, spreading his arms.

He walked down the line of guests, introducing them one by one. When he reached Kayla, he paused. The silence stretched a beat too long.

"And we have Kayla," Don said, his tone laced with amusement. "Known mostly for... well, keeping the internet very busy with her controversies."

Jax and Rhys smirked. Bria let out a high-pitched giggle.

They were waiting for her to snap. They wanted the viral meltdown.

Kayla crossed her legs. She looked at Don with absolute calm.

"It takes a lot of energy to keep the internet entertained, Don," Kayla said smoothly. "I'm just glad the producers could afford my hourly rate to boost your ratings."

Don's smile froze. He opened his mouth, but he had no comeback for that level of bluntness.

Jax raised his eyebrows. He picked up his water glass, looking at Kayla with sudden interest.

A production assistant hurried into the room carrying a tray of brightly colored sponsored energy drinks.

He handed one to everyone in the room. He walked past Kayla's chair without stopping.

Bria held her can up to the camera. "Oh my god, I love this flavor. It's so exclusive." She shot a smug look at Kayla.

Kayla didn't ask for a drink. She stood up and walked toward the open-concept kitchen.

She found the high-end espresso machine. Her hands moved with practiced precision.

She ground the beans, tamped the portafilter, and pulled a perfect double shot of espresso.

The rich, dark smell of roasted coffee filled the room.

Rhys looked down at his neon-pink energy drink, suddenly looking disgusted by it.

Kayla walked back to her chair, holding the ceramic mug. She took a slow sip, completely ignoring Bria.

Bria's face flushed red. She slammed her can down on the table.

"Alright, everyone," Don interrupted, clapping his hands. "We have a massive surprise for you."

The main lights in the living room dimmed. A bright spotlight hit the top of the grand spiral staircase.

The sharp click of heels echoed through the room.

Don's voice boomed. "Please welcome our VIP guest observers!"

Guillermo and Jasmine walked down the stairs, arm in arm.

Kayla's fingers clamped around her ceramic mug.

Her knuckles turned bone-white. The heat from the coffee burned her palm, but she couldn't feel it.

Her stomach violently contracted. The bile rose in her throat, tasting like acid.

It was the man who had watched her die.

Kayla forced herself to inhale. She pushed the air deep into her lungs, forcing her heart rate to slow down.

She lowered her eyelashes, staring into the black liquid in her cup.

Guillermo reached the bottom of the stairs. He waved at the cast with practiced humility.

His eyes swept over the room. When his gaze landed on Kayla, he stopped.

He heard her name during the introductions. A flicker of unease crossed his face.

But as he looked at her-the sharp jawline, the cold aura, the stunning features-the unease vanished.

This woman looked nothing like the exhausted, broken girl he had left in East LA.

Jasmine noticed Guillermo looking at Kayla. Her grip on his arm tightened. Her eyes narrowed into slits.

Guillermo and Jasmine took their seats on the elevated sofa in the center of the room.

Kayla slowly raised her head.

Her face was a mask of perfect, polite indifference. The corners of her lips curled up into a faint smile.

She looked right at Guillermo.

Behind the monitors, the director pointed at the screen. "Get a tight close-up on her face right now."