Thalia and George stepped off the dance floor, hand in hand. His palm was warm around hers, grounding her, steadying her heart even as emotions rippled around the room like an unspoken storm.

Her lips were still tingling from his kiss, but her mind was locked in quiet defiance.

Franklin’s furious glare burned holes into her back, but Thalia didn’t flinch not even once.

The host walked back to the stage, microphone in hand, her smile glowing. Her voice echoed across the hall, ...