Saving Him, Losing My Love

The boutique's crystal chandelier cast rainbow fractals across the marble floor as I stepped inside, my heart hammering against my ribs. The carefully orchestrated scene before me made my stomach clench—Jackson sprawled across the velvet sofa like a king holding court, Charleigh perched on his lap in a dress that cost more than most people's rent, and at least a dozen socialites arranged around them like an audience waiting for a show.

My show. My humiliation.

"Maia!" Charleigh's voice rang out, sickeningly sweet. "You actually came. How... brave of you."

Every phone in the room turned toward me like weapons. I could see the red recording lights, the eager faces of people who lived for other people's pain. Someone whispered something about "the livestream" and "two million viewers already."

Jackson's eyes found mine across the boutique, cold and calculating. The sacred amulet—my family's amulet—hung prominently around his neck, resting against his designer shirt like a trophy. The sight of it made something inside me break and reform, harder than before.

"Well?" His voice carried that familiar cruel edge. "You said you wanted to talk. So talk."

I forced myself to walk closer, each step feeling like walking through quicksand. The socialites parted slightly, creating a semicircle that reminded me of a colosseum. Someone giggled. A camera flash went off.

"Jackson, please." My voice came out smaller than I intended. "Can we speak privately? About what I gave you. What it means to my family."

Charleigh's laugh tinkled like breaking glass. "Oh honey, we don't have secrets. Do we, baby?" She traced her fingers along Jackson's chest, deliberately touching the amulet. "This old thing? Jackson told me it's just some family trinket you were desperate to get rid of."

The words hit me like physical blows. Family trinket. Desperate to get rid of. As if the Celestial Fortune that had protected generations of Fosters was garbage I'd been eager to discard.

"It's not—" I started, but Jackson cut me off.

"Maia, you're embarrassing yourself." He shifted Charleigh on his lap, his hand resting possessively on her hip. "And frankly, you're embarrassing me. Do you see how uncomfortable you're making everyone?"

I looked around the circle of faces, searching for even a flicker of sympathy. Instead, I found anticipation, hunger for drama, phones recording my every expression. These people fed on humiliation like vampires.

"I just want what's mine," I whispered.

Jackson's smile was razor-sharp. "What's yours? You gave it to me freely, remember? To save my life?" His voice dripped with mock gratitude. "Though I have to say, the whole 'mystical family blessing' story was a bit much. Did you really think I'd believe that nonsense?"

The boutique fell silent except for the soft hum of recording devices. Charleigh's eyes glittered with malicious delight as she lifted her phone, angling it to capture both of us in the frame.

"Say it," Jackson commanded, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "Tell everyone what you told me. About your little fantasy."

My throat closed. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. The amulet seemed to pulse against Jackson's chest, and for a moment I could swear I felt its pull, the connection that had bound my family for generations now twisted into something ugly.

"I..." The word came out as a croak.

"Louder," Jackson said. "For the cameras."

Charleigh held her phone steady, her followers watching in real-time as I fell apart. "This is going out to two-point-three million people," she said conversationally. "You're famous, Maia. Isn't that what every girl wants?"

I thought of my grandmother, waiting at home. Of my parents, wherever they were, trusting me to protect our legacy. Of the generations of Foster women who had worn that amulet with pride and dignity.

And I thought of Jackson, lying motionless in that hospital bed while I poured my family's power into saving a man who would use it to destroy me.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, the words tasting like poison on my tongue. "I'm sorry for... for bothering you. For making up stories. For being emotional and unstable."

The apology hung in the air like smoke, recorded and broadcast to millions of strangers who would never know what it cost me to speak those lies.

Jackson leaned back, satisfaction radiating from him like heat. "There. That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Charleigh lowered her phone, her smile triumphant. "You should probably go now, Maia. Before you embarrass yourself further."

I turned toward the door on unsteady legs, my vision blurring with unshed tears. Behind me, I heard Jackson's voice, casual and dismissive: "See? I told you she'd be reasonable once she understood the situation."

The boutique's door closed behind me with a soft chime, sealing me out of the performance I'd never wanted to star in. On the street, I pressed my back against the cool glass window and finally let the tears fall.

Two days until the ninth day. Two days until the amulet's bond became permanent.

Two days to find another way.