<b>Chapter </b><b>39 </b>


    When they arrived, Alessia greeted everyone, then headed straight to wash up before retreating to her room. She drew the curtains tight, pulled out herptop, slipped on her headphones, and shut out the rest of the world.


    Just a thin curtain separated her from Ivan, who was fast asleep.


    Outside in the hallway, Brendan and the others sat together in a tense circle.


    “Liam’s right. We’re being so careful around Lessie that it might actually be making things harder for her,” Karen said, her voice barely above a whisper.


    “We can’t rush this,” Zachary added. “It’ll take time. Slow and steady.” The others nodded in agreement.


    “Oh, by the way, what’s this about a contract you mentioned earlier?” Brendan asked.


    “I’ve got a set tonight. An agent approached me, wants me toe by their office Saturday to talk about a potential deal. I looked them up–it’s A&C Entertainment. That’s Tristan’spany.”


    Though Tristan had only been in the industry for five years, he was already a household name.


    “I’ve heard of them,” Brendan said thoughtfully. “But this is your dream. If you want it, go <i>for </i>it.”


    “What kind of offer are they making? Don’t take contracts lightly–read every word,” Brendan cautioned, experience sharpening his tone.,


    “Right <i>now</i>, they’re saying a 60/40 split, and they’ll cover my college tuition for all four years. I’ll know more once I talk to them in person.”


    Liam kept things vague, but everyone assumed he meant thepany would take sixty percent, and he’d get forty.


    “Actually, that’s better than expected. I’ve heard this business can really squeeze neers. Sixty–forty is almost generous,” Brendan said.


    Liam realized Brendan had misunderstood, but decided it was better not to correct


    him.


    “They’re paying your tuition too?” Zachary sounded skeptical.


    “Yeah, but I have to pay it back after graduation.”


    ?? 1


    15:40


    That exnation seemed to put Zachary at ease.


    “You’re an adult now. It’s your call, as long as you’re careful with the contract. Don’t let yourself get burned. If it’s what you want, go for it,” Brendan said.


    “Yeah, and it’s not good to keep putting college on hold,” Karen chimed in. “You’ve got this chance while you’re young–take it.”


    Zachary said nothing more, just pped Liam on the shoulder. As twins, there were some things they didn’t need to say out loud.


    Liam let out a sigh, feeling as if a weight had finally lifted from his chest.


    “We’re going to be all right. Our family’s only going to get stronger from here.”


    “Call me superstitious, but I honestly think things have been looking up ever since Lessie came back,” Karen said, ncing at Brendan. He took her hand in his, silent but clearly agreeing.


    “Exactly. All the more reason for us to work even harder.”


    Assuming Alessia and Ivan were both asleep, the four lowered their voices and quietly went their separate ways. Alessia, who’d been standing at her door with an empty water ss, finally let go of the doorknob. She set the ss back on her nightstand, sat down on her bed, and put her headphones on again.


    Herptop screen was still open to her music software. Just as she settled in, the audio file finished rendering. She made a quick note, then sent the file off.


    “Still awake, princess? Here I was thinking you’d forgotten all about my song,” came the reply almost instantly.


    Alessia rolled her eyes at her screen–she always wanted to do that when talking to Tristan.


    To the public, Tristan was the picture of poise and warmth, but in private, he was sharp–tongued and wickedly sarcastic. Maybe it was an age thing, buttely, he’d even let that side slip in interviews, which only seemed to attract more fans instead of driving them away.


    Alessia shook her head. Show business was doomed.


    Still, she could hardlyin–she and Lillian White had helpedunch Tristan’s career. He might be a bit of a pain, but he was dedicated, poured his heart into everything, and–most importantly–had no scandals. He was fiercely ambitious, and she respected that. No one valued this profession or the hard–earned sess more than he did.


    15.40


    Chapter <b>39 </b>


    “Midnight. Right on time,” she messaged back.


    Trantion: I’m notte, so quit nagging.


    On set, Tristan smirked at his phone, lounging in full period costume like some ethereal figure out of a legend. The bright floodlights turned the night almost to day, and people bustled all around him.