Aria’s POV
The murmurs didn’t stop when I down from the stage hand in hand with Ethan. I finally felt free that I didn't have anything to hide from him.
But the crowd wasn't merciful. If anything, they grew louder by the second, sharper, crawling over my skin like ants. I could hear my name being dissected, my existence debated by people who had already decided I was either a mistake or a fraud.
I lifted my gaze and met Brandon’s eyes across the hall.
He smiled like he man who had come prepared. Amelia handed him something I could not quite see from where I was standing, but I was sure as hell it meant trouble.
Brandon had immunity. support from the board.
My fingers curled slightly at my side, instinct screaming that this wasn’t over. That whatever he had planned, he’d been waitin
