Chapter 217: Secrets in the White House

Skylar knew something was wrong the moment she stepped into the White House the next morning.

The air felt heavier. Tighter.

She walked through the hallways, nodding at the staff who greeted her, but her mind was elsewhere. Did Chris suspect? Had he figured it out?

Last night's conversation with Ava replayed in her head.

"If you don't leave his side, you'll go down with him."

Skylar had barely slept, torn between her past and her present.

Ava wasn't wrong. Chris had changed—or maybe she had just refused to see it before. The man she fell in love with, the one who once wanted to stay hidden, had become a ruler who reshaped the world through war and power.

And now she was part of it.

She reached her office, about to step inside when a voice stopped her.

"Long night?"

She turned. Ethan stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching her carefully.

Skylar forced a smile. "Not really. Just a lot on my mind."

Ethan didn't smile back. He just studied her. Too closely.

"You went out last night," he said casually.

Skylar's stomach twisted.

"Yeah," she said smoothly. "Needed some air."

Ethan nodded slowly. "Right. And did the fresh air help?"

Skylar kept her expression neutral, but her heart was hammering. Ethan knew.

"Why don't you tell me what you really want to ask, Ethan?" she said, keeping her voice steady.

Ethan tilted his head slightly. "Alright. I'll ask directly then."

He took a step closer.

"What did you and Ava Sinclair talk about?"

The world felt like it stopped for a second.

Skylar's breath hitched, but she masked it quickly.

"Ava?" she repeated, playing dumb.

Ethan's stare hardened. "Don't."

Skylar forced a small laugh. "I ran into an old friend, that's all. It wasn't a big deal."

"Bullshit."

The word came out sharp, cutting.

"Chris already knows, Skylar. We have footage. We know where you went. We know who you were with."

Skylar's stomach dropped.

"So I'll ask again," Ethan said, voice dangerously low. "What the hell did you and Ava talk about?"

Skylar knew she had two choices.

Lie again. Dig deeper, hope Chris would let it go.

Or—

Tell the truth. Risk everything.

Her lips parted, her mind racing.

And then, before she could speak, a new voice filled the hallway.

"That's enough, Ethan."

Skylar turned sharply.

Chris stood there.

Watching her.

His expression was unreadable, but his eyes… they burned.

Ethan stepped back slightly. Chris had heard everything.

Chris's gaze never left Skylar's.

"Come with me," he said, his voice quiet but firm.

Skylar swallowed hard and followed him.

Because now?

Now, there was no running from this.