Crai

e. I could feel the vibrating even through the thick material, a testament to his relentless, suffocating nee

ep breath. The air, crisp and slightly metallic, filled my lungs, bringing with

stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions inside me. My eyes scanned the room, look

of jewelry. Not just any jewelry. Pieces that were bold, audacious, the kind of things the old, in

ored it, walking with purpos

was my father. I sent it to voicemail. He was likely panicking about the contract, or pe

by anonymous collectors. Then, a diamond necklace, shimmering under the spotli

told the attendant beside

sed, my eyes fixed on the auctioneer, my resolve unshakeable. The price climbed, higher a

mmer fell. "Sol

Kiana Craig, the "party girl," suddenly ma

swelled in my chest. This fe

ng my eye, when a familiar voice, sharp w

ia

ld, then boiled with fur

w tight, his eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and something else-a possess

suppressed rage. "You're spending an obscene amount of money! Are you tryi

, "What are you doing here? Last night, you made it very clear you had other commitments. More important commitmen

with me, Kiana. You know why I'm here

d have done a long time ago. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few more

p bruising. "Kiana, stop t

on't touch me, Jonathan! I am not your pro

ld with fury. "You're making a spectacle

em look. Maybe they'll finally see the truth. The truth about a man who cares more a

. Jonathan's face turned crimson. He

voice dangerously low. "You will regret

hing, Jonathan. Not anymore. I'm taking

seeing a stranger. And he was. The old Kiana, the one who crav

nt of concern, or perhaps just his usual condescension, cr

, where Kecia reigns supreme? Or my father's, where I'm just a pawn in

and hovering. "Kiana, please. Let's n

He had made it impossible. He had crushed me, dismissed me, b

sed emotion. "This is easy. The hard part was loving you. The hard part was belie

Now, if you'll excuse me, the next item is up. A rather exq

to argue, to command, but no words came out.

announced, the hammer falling with

e on my face. "See? Some things are worth fighting for,

me for the first time in years. But it was too late. The Kiana he knew wa

ace still around my neck, the tiara box clutched in my hand. He call

t! Where ar

uldn't. This was my

louder this time, desperat

d out into the cool night air. The city lights gl

behind me. "Kiana, you can't just leave! Wh

, my eyes cold and unwavering. "There is no 'us,' Jonathan. Not anymore. Y

t him one last time. "You thought I was a puppet, Jonathan

wning horror. He looked like he wanted to argue, to

strong, "my father and I signed it tonight. It's legally bind

the tinted window as the cab pulled away, leaving him standing alone on the sidewalk, under the

und ache. The pain was still there, a dull throb, a reminder of the yea

n simply turned it off. He could call all he wanted. He could scr

ion of independence. And it felt terrifying, e