41. Burning Flower Shop

After putting Kelly to bed, I walked into the living room, where Brenda was sitting on the couch, clearly waiting for me. Her eyes lit up with curiosity, eager to hear what had happened after the media stopped recording the chaos at the dinner.

“Tell me you guys settled things,” Brenda said excitedly, practically bouncing in her seat. “I love that Ivan stood up for you. That’s what real love is.”

I smiled faintly and collapsed onto the couch opposite her, the weight of the evening pressing down on me. “I’m scared, Brenda,” I admitted, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Brenda blinked, her face shifting to one of concern. “What are you scared of?”

“Ivan standing up to his mother today… it might have just made everything worse,” I confessed, my stomach twisting with anxiety. “I know Mrs. Carlos. She doesn’t stop until she gets what she wants. She’ll come after me, Brenda. I can feel it.”

Brenda frowned, then brightened again, trying to ease my worry. “You’re overthinking it. What’s th