Thessaly POV
"Let's burn it down," I whisper, and the words feel like jumping off a cliff.
Rhydian's ice-blue eyes search mine. "You're sure?"
No. I'm not sure of anything. My phone won't stop buzzing—texts from friends, classmates, people I barely know. All of them have seen Jett's video. All of them think I'm a cheater, a homewrecker, worse.
But going home means facing my parents. Means apologizing to Jett. Means becoming small and invisible again.
"I'm sure," I lie.
Rhydian nods once. "Then first rule of war: we control the story before it controls us."
He takes my phone from my shaking hands. His fingers move fast across the screen—typing, posting, sending. When he gives it back, I stare at what he's written on my social media:
Jett Vex cheated on me at my own birthday party. When I finally stood up for myself, he tried to destroy me. But I'm done being silent. I'm done being his victim. The truth matters more than his lies.
"You just declared war on him," I whisper.
"No. You did the moment you chose me." Rhydian hands me back the phone. "Now we fight smart."
My phone explodes with notifications. Some people call me brave. Others call me worse names. But then something unexpected happens—girls start commenting. Girls who dated Jett before me. Girls he hurt.
He cheated on me too.
He hit me once.
He told everyone I was crazy when I tried to leave.
Thank you for being brave enough to speak up.
I stare at the screen, tears blurring my vision. "I'm not alone."
"You were never alone." Rhydian's voice is gentle. "You just thought you were."
Before I can respond, someone pounds on his penthouse door. Loud. Angry. Violent.
"RHYDIAN VEX! OPEN THIS DOOR!"
I recognize that voice. My father.
My heart stops. "He knows I'm here."
"Of course he does. I'm sure your mother tracked your phone." Rhydian moves toward the door calmly. "Stay behind me."
"He's going to kill me—"
"He's going to try to protect you," Rhydian corrects. "There's a difference."
He opens the door. My father stands there, still in his pajamas, face purple with rage. My mother is behind him, crying.
"Thessaly Marie Crane!" Dad's voice shakes the walls. "Get away from that man RIGHT NOW!"
I step out from behind Rhydian. "Dad, I can explain—"
"Explain?!" He pushes past Rhydian, grabbing my arm. "You kissed your boyfriend's uncle! It's all over the internet! Do you know what you've done? Mr. Vex called me an hour ago. I'm FIRED! Because of you!"
The words hit like a punch. "What?"
"Thorne Vex fired me." Dad's voice breaks. "Fifteen years with that family. Gone. Because my daughter couldn't keep her legs closed—"
"DON'T." Rhydian's voice cuts like a knife. He moves between us, forcing Dad to release my arm. "Don't you dare speak to her that way."
"You have no right—"
"I have every right. Your daughter did nothing wrong." Rhydian's voice is cold steel. "Jett cheated on her. Publicly humiliated her on her birthday. She defended herself. That's not a crime."
"She kissed YOU!" Mom sobs. "You're forty years old! She's a child!"
"I'm eighteen," I say quietly. "I'm not a child anymore."
"You live in my house!" Dad yells. "You follow my rules! And I say you're coming home right now, and you're apologizing to Jett, and you're fixing this mess!"
Something inside me breaks. Not in a bad way. In a way that feels like freedom.
"No," I say.
Everyone goes silent.
"What did you say?" Dad whispers.
"I said no." My voice gets stronger. "I'm not apologizing to Jett. He's a liar and a cheater and he hurt me for two years. I'm done pretending it's okay. I'm done being the good girl who lets everyone walk all over her."
"If you don't come home right now," Dad says slowly, "you're not my daughter anymore."
The words should hurt. Maybe they do. But mostly I feel relieved.
"Then I guess I'm not your daughter." I look at Mom, who's crying harder. "I'm sorry you lost your job, Dad. I'm sorry I embarrassed you. But I'm not sorry for finally standing up for myself."
"Thessaly—" Mom reaches for me.
"I'll find somewhere to stay," I continue. "I won't be your problem anymore."
"You can stay here," Rhydian says immediately.
Everyone turns to stare at him.
"Absolutely not!" Dad explodes. "You think I'm letting my daughter live with a criminal?!"
"Better a criminal who respects her than a family who destroys her for being human." Rhydian's eyes are ice. "She stays. Under my protection. If you have a problem with that, the door is behind you."
Dad looks at me. Really looks at me. And I see the moment he gives up.
"You've made your choice," he says quietly. "Don't come crying to us when this blows up in your face."
He leaves. Mom follows, sobbing. The door closes.
And I'm alone with Rhydian Vex, having just lost everything.
"I'm homeless," I whisper. "I have no family. No job. No future."
"You have me," Rhydian says simply.
"Why?" I turn on him. "Why do you care? You don't know me! You kissed me once and now you're destroying your life for me? It doesn't make sense!"
"You're right. It doesn't." He moves closer. "But when you walked up to me in that club with fire in your eyes and chose me over safety? Something woke up in me that's been dead for fifteen years. You reminded me what it feels like to want something besides revenge."
"What do you want?" I whisper.
"You." The word hangs between us. "Not as revenge. Not as a weapon against Jett. Just... you. The girl brave enough to burn her life down rather than live small."
He's standing so close I can feel his warmth. My heart pounds.
"I'm eighteen," I remind him. "You're forty."
"Thirty-eight," he corrects with a small smile. "And I'm aware of the age gap. Which is why nothing happens until you're ready. Until you're sure. I can wait."
"What if I don't want you to wait?"
The words come out before I can stop them. Rhydian's eyes darken.
"Thessaly—"
I kiss him. Again. Because kissing Rhydian makes me feel alive and powerful and wanted. Because I just lost everything and I need something to hold onto.
He kisses me back, but gently. Carefully. Like I'm precious.
When we break apart, he's breathing hard.
"You're playing with fire, little Crane."
"Good." I smile despite everything. "I'm tired of being cold."
My phone rings. Unknown number. I answer without thinking.
"Hello?"
"Thessaly Crane?" A woman's voice, professional and cold.
"Yes?"
"This is Detective Sarah Chen with Crescent Bay Police. I need you to come to the station immediately."
My blood runs cold. "Why?"
"Jett Vex has filed charges against you and Rhydian Vex for assault, defamation, and corruption of a minor." She pauses. "You're both under investigation. If you don't come in voluntarily, we'll issue a warrant for your arrest."
The phone slips from my fingers.
Rhydian catches it. Listens. His face goes carefully blank.
"We'll be there in an hour," he says calmly. Hangs up.
"He's trying to get us arrested," I whisper. "Jett's trying to put us in jail."
"Yes."
"Can he do that?"
Rhydian looks at me, and for the first time, I see real worry in his eyes.
"With his family's lawyers and money? Yes. He absolutely can."