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CHAPTER 19:Enjoy the spotlight while you can

last update Last Updated: 2025-04-13 11:10:54

Nelly’s POV

I don’t know why my stomach won’t stop churning.

The mansion stood tall and intimidating under the evening sky, its perfectly trimmed hedges and glowing windows a reminder that I didn’t belong here. Not really. Not in their world of luxury, old money, and sharp tongues hidden behind polite smiles.

Jason parked the car, killing the engine in silence. For a moment, neither of us moved. The tension had followed us from the apartment, clinging to the air like perfume.

He finally looked at me. “You okay?”

I forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

That was a lie.

I wasn’t fine.

Not with the knot twisting in my chest, or the pit in my stomach that told me tonight wasn’t just a dinner—it was a test.

He reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my cheek for a beat longer than necessary.

“We go in together,” he said firmly.

I nodded. “Together.”

We walked up to the front door, my heels clicking softly on the marble steps. When it opened, I was met wi
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