Chapter 31: The Weight of a Name

Sapphire had never feared her father.

Not because he wasn't powerful—he was. The Lionel Langford, chairman of the academy, a man whose influence stretched far beyond its walls. His name alone demanded respect.

But Sapphire had spent her life perfecting her role as his daughter.

Untouchable. Poised. Perfect.

Tonight, she had shattered that image in front of the entire school.

And now, she was about to face the consequences.

---

The moment she stepped into the private lounge reserved for the board members, the air thickened.

Her father stood near the grand fireplace, hands clasped behind his back, his tailored suit impeccable as ever. He didn't speak immediately.

Instead, he let the silence stretch—heavy, suffocating.

Sapphire stood tall, refusing to fidget.

Finally, he turned.

"Sapphire."

His voice was measured, but she knew him well enough to recognize the edge beneath it.

She inclined her head slightly. "Father."

A pause.

"You seem to have forgotten the importance of reputation."

Sapphire's jaw clenched, but her expression remained neutral. "I was dancing."

"You were making a statement."

She exhaled slowly. "I wasn't—"

"Don't insult my intelligence," he cut her off, voice sharp. "The Calloway girl has been circling you for months. And tonight, you allowed it."

Sapphire bristled. "Allowed what, exactly?"

His gaze darkened. "Weakness."

Her hands curled at her sides. "You think showing emotion is weak?"

"I think getting attached to someone beneath you is reckless."

Something inside her snapped.

"She is not beneath me."

The words were out before she could stop them.

A heavy silence fell between them.

Her father's gaze sharpened like a blade. "So it's true, then."

Sapphire swallowed. "What is?"

"That she means something to you."

Her breath caught.

For years, she had avoided letting anyone get too close, keeping her emotions guarded, her desires locked away.

And yet—Celeste had slipped through.

Somehow, someway, she had gotten in.

Her father's expression was unreadable. "End it."

Sapphire froze.

The room suddenly felt smaller, the walls closing in.

"She is a distraction, Sapphire. And distractions are a liability."

Her nails dug into her palms. "And if I don't?"

He exhaled, slow and deliberate. "Then you will remind me that you are not ready to inherit the Langford name."

The finality in his tone sent a chill down her spine.

Sapphire had spent years proving herself as his heir. Not just to the academy, but to the empire her family built.

And now, that was at risk.

Because of her.

Because of Celeste.

Her father turned away, dismissing her without another word.

The conversation was over.

But the decision?

That was hers to make.

And for the first time in her life—

She wasn't sure what to choose.

---

Sapphire walked out of the lounge with her head held high, her expression as unreadable as ever. The whispers that followed her were expected. Everyone had seen what happened in the ballroom.

Everyone was waiting to see what she would do next.

But Sapphire didn't stop walking.

She needed air.

She needed space.

Because for the first time in her life, she didn't know what to do.

Her father had given her an ultimatum. One that had never been spoken so plainly before.

End it.

Or lose everything.

Sapphire wasn't naïve. She knew what was at stake.

Her position. Her power. The legacy she had spent years molding herself to inherit.

Everything she had worked for could slip through her fingers.

And all because of one girl.

Sapphire clenched her jaw as she reached the academy's garden, the cold night air biting against her skin. She exhaled, steadying herself—until a familiar voice shattered her fragile sense of control.

"Did he threaten you?"

Sapphire closed her eyes briefly before turning around.

Celeste stood a few feet away, hands in her pockets, the dim glow of the garden lanterns casting shadows across her face.

Of course, she had been waiting.

Celeste always knew when something was wrong.

Sapphire forced a smirk, folding her arms. "That's bold of you to assume."

Celeste's gaze didn't waver. "I don't assume, Sapphire. I know."

Sapphire tilted her head, keeping her voice light. "And what exactly do you think you know?"

Celeste stepped forward. "That he gave you an ultimatum."

Sapphire didn't confirm it. Didn't deny it either.

Celeste took another step, lowering her voice. "What did he say?"

Sapphire met her gaze, her heart hammering against her ribs. "That you're a distraction."

Celeste exhaled sharply. "And what do you think?"

Sapphire hesitated.

She should have lied.

Should have played this off with the same cold indifference she always did.

But the look in Celeste's eyes—the unshaken certainty, the quiet challenge—it made something inside her crack.

"I don't know," Sapphire admitted softly.

For once, she wasn't sure of herself.

Celeste's expression shifted, something unreadable flickering across her face. Then—

She reached out, fingers brushing against Sapphire's wrist.

It was barely a touch.

Barely anything at all.

But it sent a shockwave through her entire body.

"You do know," Celeste murmured. "You're just afraid to say it."

Sapphire swallowed hard, her pulse roaring in her ears.

Celeste leaned in, just close enough for Sapphire to feel the warmth of her breath.

"Tell me," Celeste whispered.

Sapphire's throat went dry.

Tell her?

Tell her what?

That she wanted her?

That she was terrified of what she felt?

That she didn't know how to want something so badly and still hold onto everything else?

The words almost came.

Almost.

But then—

Sapphire stepped back.

The moment shattered.

Celeste's expression hardened. "So that's your choice."

Sapphire straightened, forcing her walls back up. "I have responsibilities, Celeste."

Celeste let out a humorless laugh. "Responsibilities? Or excuses?"

Sapphire clenched her fists. "You wouldn't understand."

Celeste's eyes darkened. "Try me."

Sapphire took a breath, forcing herself to stay calm. "This—" she gestured between them, voice quieter now, "—was never meant to be real."

A lie.

Celeste saw right through it.

But instead of arguing, instead of pushing further, Celeste did something Sapphire didn't expect.

She stepped back.

The warmth between them turned to ice.

"Fine." Celeste's voice was cold. "If that's how you want to play this, then I'll stop."

Sapphire's breath hitched.

She hadn't expected that.

Celeste never backed down. Never walked away.

But now, she was watching Sapphire like she was disappointed.

Like she was done.

And for the first time in her life—

Sapphire felt what losing actually meant.

Celeste turned on her heel and walked away.

Sapphire didn't stop her.

Even though every part of her wanted to.

---