CHAPTER 85: SMOKE AND MIRRORS

Josie

The fact that they stayed with me after everything I’d just told them made my heart ache—in a good way. I was still unsure how I expected them to react, especially after revealing something so heavy. But Varen and Kiel remained by my side, grounding me with their presence.

And yet, despite their loyalty, my mind couldn’t help but wander to Thorne.

Where was he?

I didn’t want to ask. I should have. But with the whirlwind that had just happened—the boy, the healing, the confrontation—I didn’t feel ready for one more emotional blow. I held my tongue and waited, pretending I didn’t notice the heavy absence pressing against my ribs.

Suddenly, Varen stood and walked out of the room. I blinked, a bit startled, but didn’t question it. My stomach twisted in quiet anxiety while Kiel stared at the floor, silent.

A few minutes later, Varen returned holding a brown bag and a drink cup. The smell hit me first—greasy, salty, warm. My stomach growled, louder than I expected.

"You haven’t eaten all day," Varen said, pushing the bag into my hands. "You need strength."

I couldn’t argue. Not now. I dug into the food with trembling hands and took a bite of the hamburger, then some fries. The warmth filled a cold space inside me I hadn’t realized was there. For a moment, the taste brought me comfort—something normal amidst the chaos.

As I chewed, I felt someone’s gaze on me. I looked up and met Kiel’s eyes. He was watching me quietly, like I might disappear if he blinked.

"You’re so small," he murmured. "But so damn brave."

I swallowed hard, shrugged like it didn’t matter. "Someone has to be. Besides, all that really matters right now is that our plan works. That we fix this. Then maybe... maybe we can step into a better future."

Kiel’s eyes softened, and I saw something shift in them—something like hope.

But before he could respond, the door flew open.

My eyes darted up.

The elders stepped in, followed closely by a sobbing Michelle.

Of course. Drama’s favorite child had returned.

My frown etched itself deeper into my face. What now? What was the performance about this time? And when would Michelle learn that tears didn’t equal innocence?

Varen stood instantly, placing himself between them and me. "Why are you here?"

Michelle sniffled. "I... I’m pregnant."

I nearly choked on my fry.

I blinked at her, stunned at how fast she could pivot to theatrics. "It hasn’t even been forty-eight hours since you announced anything. Pregnant? Really?"

Michelle lifted her chin, trying to appear pitiful and proud all at once. "It’s been a few days, actually. And Kiel and I were intimate before that. You all saw the video. He posted it online and showed everyone... showed them my body. My shame. I’ve been humiliated! But I forgive him because I love him. And Josie... Josie was never a match for someone like me."

My stomach twisted—not from the food, but from rage. She had no shame. No limits. Just standing there like she was the victim in all this.

And then—

Smack!

Kiel slapped her. Hard. The sound cracked through the room like a whip.

I stood immediately and rushed to his side, grabbing his arm. "Kiel—stop. Calm down."

His whole body shook beneath my grip. I could feel the fury pulsing through him like heat.

"She’s lying," he growled. "She’s always lying! I don’t know what the hell she’s talking about. That night wasn’t real. Just because she was once going to be engaged to us doesn’t mean I wanted her. I never wanted her. She’s nothing to me. She always has been!"

"Enough!" one of the elders snapped. "We all saw the video. We’ve respected you for years, Kiel, but don’t embarrass yourself further. Denying it now is meaningless."

Kiel opened his mouth to protest, but I looked at Varen instead.

I needed help.

I needed someone to intervene, to defend him.

But Varen just met my gaze and whispered, "He has to do this himself. He has to speak for himself. I can’t take that from him."

I sighed, turning back toward Kiel.

He was shouting now. At the elders. At Michelle. At the world.

Meanwhile, Michelle kept sobbing louder. Crocodile tears. Pathetic.

Finally, I’d had enough.

"Shut up!" I yelled.

Everyone froze. All eyes on me.

My face burned, but I didn’t care. "Just shut up, Michelle."

She blinked at me, wide-eyed, stunned into silence.

"You’re not pregnant. That video doesn’t prove anything. People don’t get pregnant overnight." My voice trembled with fury. "And even if you were, you’re still a liar. You’re still a manipulative, hateful snake who used someone who wasn’t even in their right mind to stage a betrayal."

Michelle’s silence broke with laughter—low, dry, chilling.

"You really can’t see the truth, can you?" she said with a mocking tilt of her head. "It’s right in front of you, but you’re too scared to believe it. You’re clinging to hope like it’ll save you. It won’t."

I shook my head. "I know what I felt. What I saw. You’re not going to gaslight me into thinking otherwise."

Michelle raised her chin. "Maybe. Or maybe you should just open your eyes and let him go. Let me be with him. I’m a woman too, Josie. You’re not the only one who feels."

My breath caught in my throat.

Did she just say that?

My fingers curled into fists. She was unhinged. Delusional. And yet, somehow, the elders were eating up her performance like she was a tragic heroine.

Kiel groaned. "She’s sick. Completely—"

But Michelle cut him off, her voice pitched higher. "You ruined me, Kiel! And you still want her? The one with cursed power? Look at her! She brought this on herself. You know she did!"

"Enough!" I snapped. "Don’t talk about things you don’t understand."

"She doesn’t love you," Michelle hissed. "She loves the idea of saving you. Of being your redemption. But me? I accept you for who you are."

I felt a tremor ripple through me.

I looked at the elders. Their expressions were unreadable.

I looked at Kiel. His hands trembled.

I looked at Varen. He was silent, watching, calculating.

I didn’t know what would happen next. I just knew I wouldn’t let Michelle rewrite this story. Not now. Not ever.

And as I turned away from her, I caught Varen’s gaze again.

His mouth opened slightly, like he was about to speak.

But instead, I asked him quietly, "How long have you known?"

He hesitated. Then nodded slowly.

"A while," he said.

Something about the way he said it made me nervous.