Chapter 85

Chapter 85
Carlo

“Stand up straight, smile like you mean it, and don’t embarrass me tonight.”

That’s the first thing Rebecca says to me when I meet her by the car.

I let out a small laugh, not because it’s funny, but because this whole shit feels like a punishment I signed up for. And maybe I did. Maybe I fucking deserve this.

She’s got this fake-ass smile plastered on her face like she’s walking a goddamn runway instead of heading into a room full of people who care more about money than anything else. I don’t say a word. Just adjust my jacket and offer my arm like the perfect little puppet everyone expects me to be.

Tonight’s gala is packed. Cameras flash the second we step in. People whisper. Rebecca clings to my arm like she’s actually proud of being with me. She leans in, presses her lips to my ear, and says, “Don’t make me regret showing up with you.”

I force a smile. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

They introduce us as “the soon-to-be Davenports.” Someone clinks a glass, another raises a toast. The room is a fucking blur. Investors, board members, fake friends—everyone starts crowding around. They all act impressed, excited, congratulating me like this engagement was my dream come true. Like I haven’t been dragging myself through the dirt every fucking day since I walked away from the only person who actually made me feel alive.

Blaze.

God, his name alone messes me up.

I nod through conversations, shake hands, answer questions like I’m present, like I give a damn. But I don’t. My brain is stuck in that damn hospital room I haven’t even seen. I keep replaying Alexi’s voice, the way she screamed over the phone. “Why the hell did you do this to him?” That shit doesn’t leave my head.

He’s in the hospital. Broken ribs. Drove out at fucking midnight. Because of me. Because of the bullshit I said. Because I’m the one who made him believe he was nothing when he was everything.

My mouth moves, saying God knows what to another gray-haired man trying to pitch me some deal. I think I agree to something. Doesn’t matter. Nothing matters right now.

Rebecca’s still smiling. Talking too much. Laughing too loud. She loves this. All eyes on her. All this attention. It feeds her.

I don’t belong here.

I excuse myself after a while, tell her I’m going to the restroom, but I don’t go there. I walk past the waiters, the drinks, the music that won’t shut the fuck up. I make it outside. The cold air hits me like a slap, but it’s the first time tonight I actually feel something real.

I pull out a cigarette. I don’t even smoke like that, but tonight, I need something. I light it and take a drag. It burns my throat, but that’s fine. It’s real.

“Didn’t peg you for the moody type,” a voice says behind me.

I turn. Of course it’s William. Because this night wasn’t shitty enough already.

He’s got that smirk on like he owns the world. Like watching me suffocate in this mess gives him life. He walks closer, hands in his pockets, dressed sharp like always.

“You looked so happy in there,” he says, eyes gleaming. “Almost convinced me you actually like that uptight barbie you’re parading around.”

I blow out smoke and don’t say shit.

But he keeps going. “You think this makes you a man? Playing Daddy’s game, wearing the crown, getting the girl?” He steps closer. “You’re pathetic.”

I clench my jaw. My fist twitches at my side. He’s pushing. And I want to hit him. Just once. Knock that smug look off his face. But I don’t.

Because that’s what he wants. He wants to watch me lose it, fall apart in front of the cameras, give Dad another reason to call me unstable.

So I take another drag, stare out into the night, and say nothing.

William chuckles. “You’re softer than I thought. Blaze really fucked you up, huh?”

That name out of his mouth does it.

I turn, close the distance between us, and get so close he flinches. “Say his name again and I’ll forget I give a fuck about my suit.”

He backs off, but the grin doesn’t leave.

“Relax, little brother. Enjoy your big night. You finally got what you wanted… or did you?”

He walks off laughing.

And I just stand there, heart pounding, smoke curling around me, head spinning.

Did I get what I wanted?

I wanted Blaze safe. I wanted my father to stay the fuck away from him. I wanted to protect him from all the things he didn’t even see coming. And yeah, I wanted to be with him too. But I couldn’t have both. So I chose the one where he didn’t end up bleeding on the floor. Even if it meant ripping myself apart.

I thought walking away would protect him.

But he ended up in the hospital anyway.

And now here I am, in a goddamn tuxedo next to a woman I don’t even like, pretending I’m the man they all want me to be.

I finish the cigarette and toss it on the ground, crushing it under my heel.

I think about going back in. Facing all those fake smiles. Rebecca’s cloying perfume. My dad’s cold eyes. The whole performance.

But my legs won’t move.

I lean against the wall and let my head fall back.

Fuck.

What the hell am I doing?

I tell myself it’s for the greater good. That maybe one day, Blaze will understand. That maybe protecting him was worth every miserable second I’m living through now. But that voice inside me—the honest one—it’s not buying the bullshit anymore.

I feel hollow.

And I hate it.

I don’t even know how long I’m out here before someone comes looking for me.

It’s Rebecca.

She steps outside, crossing her arms. “There you are. People are asking about you. My parents just introduced us to the Sterling group.”

I nod, but don’t move.

She eyes me like she’s trying to read something in my face, but she’s not that deep. “What are you doing out here?”

“Breathing.”

She huffs. “You’re lucky I agreed to tonight. You keep pulling shit like this, I won’t be so understanding next time.”

I let the silence stretch.

Then I say, “Don’t pretend this is about me. You’re here for the name. Just like I’m here because I fucked up and need to play along.”

Her jaw tightens. “You could at least pretend to be grateful.”

I laugh. “For what? Being part of this circus?”

She glares at me but doesn’t argue. Because she knows I’m right.

We stand there, not talking, not moving. Just two people stuck in a game neither of us actually enjoys playing.

Eventually, I push off the wall.

“I’m done for the night,” I say.

“You can’t leave now,” she snaps.

“I just did.”

And I walk off. No explanations. No goodbye. Just done.

Outside the building, the air’s colder, sharper. I don’t get in the car waiting for us. I keep walking.

I don’t know where I’m going, but anywhere is better than here.

Anywhere away from Rebecca. From William. From my father’s grip. From this fake life.

But not from Blaze.

Because even now, even when I’m pretending he’s better off without me, he’s still the only real thing in my life.

And I fucking miss him.

Every damn second.