Chapter 19: A Stage Built on Lies

Raine barely made it out of the hallway before she exhaled. Kairo and Zayne were trouble—different kinds, but trouble all the same.

And the worst part? They were starting to suspect her.

She had spent years perfecting this disguise, molding herself into Raine Vesper, a simple idol trainee. But in just a few encounters, they were already poking holes in her mask.

She couldn't let that happen.

The rehearsal room was empty when she stepped inside. Good. She needed space.

Raine moved to the center, exhaling sharply before pressing play on the stereo. Music flooded the room.

And then—she danced.

Every movement was sharp, precise—too polished for a rookie.

Her body remembered what her mind tried to bury. The stage was in her blood.

But just as she lost herself in the rhythm—the door clicked open.

She froze.

Kairo leaned against the frame, watching her with an unreadable expression.

"I knew it," he murmured, voice like silk. "You're not just some trainee."

Raine straightened, heart pounding.

She had been caught.