Ethan’s POV
The flash of cameras was blinding. I’d thought I’d prepared for this moment.
Weeks of rehearsing my breathing, repeating mantras in my head, and trying to convince myself that I could handle it, that we could handle it. But nothing could have prepared me for the reality of stepping onto the carpet beside Dominic for our first official public appearance as a couple.
Dominic’s hand was firm and steady against the small of my back, grounding me. His presence was a shield, a promise that no matter how chaotic the world around us became, he wouldn’t let me face it alone.
Still, my palms were slick with sweat, and my heartbeat was a rapid, erratic thing. The crowd in front of us was a living wall of shouting voices, flashing bulbs, and outstretched microphones. It wasn’t just a
