The next morning, the city was already buzzing with rumors. Elara could feel the tension even before she saw the news. When she walked into the living room, the television was on, the morning talk show replaying yesterday’s headlines.
KAELITH HEIR’S SECRET FAMILY?
WHO IS ELARA WYNTER?
Her name was everywhere. Photos of her leaving the hospital with Caelen. Grainy images of her standing beside Dorian. Even a clip of the charity event years ago where she was in the background, barely visible, but now magnified and analyzed by strangers.
Her stomach twisted painfully.
She quickly grabbed the remote and turned off the TV before Caelen woke up. Her reflection on the black screen looked pale and exhausted.
She couldn’t hide anymore.
The knock on the door made her flinch. For a moment, she
