INTERLUDE
The young maid's eyes darted around nervously, making sure no one could overhear her.
"Yes, ma'am," she whispered, nodding quickly.
"She was rushed to the hospital."
A low hum came from the other end of the phone. "And you still have no information on what happened?"
"No. Ever since she was taken from the estate, they haven't returned," the maid said, glancing over her shoulder. She pressed the phone closer to her ear, as if that would somehow guarantee privacy.
"I need you to keep me updated. Everything she does—everything—I want to know. Am I clear?"
"Yes, ma'am. I will."
"Good." The line went dead.
The maid straightened, adjusted her uniform, and scanned the hallway once more. Seeing no one, she slipped the phone into her pocket and began climbing the stairs.
Unbeknownst to her, another maid had been lingering at the bottom of the staircase. As the first maid disappeared from view and the master bedroom door clicked shut, the second maid stepped forward with a small smile. She pulled out her own phone and dialed a number.
The call was picked up on the first ring.
"Mother," she said, her voice low and sharp, her eyes gleaming. "It's time to move to the next step."
****
Far from the estate, Genesis stood among her friends, warmth blooming in her chest. It felt good to see them again—really good. She'd wanted so badly to make it to class today, and now that she saw them, she was grateful. This moment gave her relief from the guilt she had felt earlier in the car with Kieran.
"Yeah, you look so pale. Please get well soon—we really miss you," Calista said, adjusting her bag for the tenth time.
"Will you come to class tomorrow?" Stacy asked.
Genesis turned to her, then glanced at the car—at Kieran. She didn't know how to answer. Would he even let her go, knowing she wasn't fully okay? Still, she nodded.
"Yay!" Calista squealed.
Genesis smiled softly and shook her head, only to catch Jaden staring at her with an odd expression. She frowned. It wasn't quite worry or curiosity—something in between. When he realized she was looking back, he quickly composed himself, flashing that charming smirk of his. It was strange, but she let it go.
"Can't wait to see you tomorrow," he said. "Hopefully you'll be feeling better so I can show you some moves?"
Her eyes widened. That strangeness she felt? Gone.
She pointed at herself, then at him.
"Yes, you," he confirmed, grinning.
"Oh my God, you're so lucky, Genesis!" Nia said from beside Calista. She wasn't in the beginners' class with Genesis, Stacy, and Calista—but she wasn't advanced either.
Stacy opened her mouth to reply, but a voice cut through the air like a whip.
"Jaden! Let's go!" Melanie's voice.
She stomped her foot like a child, her face twisted in a pout.
Bianca rolled her eyes. "Dramatic much?"
"Tell me about it," Calista muttered.
Jaden didn't look at Melanie. He smiled at Genesis one more time before walking over to her. The moment he got close, Melanie looped her arm around his and practically dragged him away. It was funny—like watching a Chihuahua try to lead a Great Dane.
"That girl is so annoying," Stacy said with a sigh.
She slipped her arm around Genesis's shoulder and guided her toward the car. "Anyways, let's get you home. You need rest if you're going to wake up tomorrow like a soldier ready to scatter the studio!"
The girls burst into laughter, and Genesis nodded, smiling. They all said their goodbyes. Calista opened the car door and helped her in, and once she was settled, the girls peeked at Kieran—and instantly blushed like schoolgirls.
As Stacy closed the door behind Genesis, Nia whispered, "Ahh, he's so handsome."
Genesis glanced at Kieran. He had his eyes closed, head resting against the seat.
Her smile faltered.
She didn't know why—but when Nia said that, something twisted in her chest. She didn't like it.
As the girls walked off, Stacy muttered, "Dammit, I forgot to get her number."
"We can ask tomorrow," Calista replied, and they kept walking.
Inside the car, Genesis bit her lip as she stared at Kieran. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open and turned to her. He didn't smile.
His face was blank.
She shifted uncomfortably and looked away, fumbling with her seatbelt. Kieran said nothing. He just started the engine.
Then they began driving.
Silence thickened the air, pressing in on Genesis like fog. She kept sneaking glances at Kieran, and that's when she noticed it—his jaw clenched, the muscle in his cheek twitching every few seconds. His hand gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white, only to release and clench again. He hadn't said a single word to her.
Her heart pounded, anxiety curling in her chest like smoke. Had she done something wrong? Her mind spiraled, flipping through the events of the day—until it hit her.
She had smiled at Jaden.
Not just smiled—laughed even. In front of Kieran.
Her stomach dropped. That had to be it. It wasn't the first time, but today was different. Today, Kieran had been watching. She should have known better.
She clenched her fists against her skirt, trying to steady her breathing. Her eyes drifted to her notebook and pencil beside her, but she didn't reach for them. No amount of sketching would calm her nerves now.
She knew what she had to do.
Still, she hesitated—watching him from the corner of her eye. Waiting. Wondering.
Kieran's grip on the wheel tightened again, and his eyes were locked on the road, but his thoughts were far darker.
He wasn't just mad.
He was livid.
The image of that cocky little dancer grinning at his wife—touching her, talking to her like he had the right—burned into his brain.
Kieran wasn't the
type to let things slide.
He was the type to eliminate the problem.
And Jaden… Jaden had just made the list.