I went to the window, peeked through the blinds.
Cameras. Microphones. People shouting my name. “Hadley! Hadley Jackson! Is it true you married Cal Ember?”
My blood went cold.
Eli came up behind me. “What’s that noise?”
I turned, forced a smile. “Nothing. Just… loud neighbors.”
He frowned. “They’re saying your name.”
Fuck.
I grabbed his hand, pulled him toward the bedroom. “Come on. Let’s go in here.”
He resisted. “Why?”
“Because I said so. Please.”
His breathing picked up. Eyes wide. The panic was starting, hands flapping a little, shoulders hunching.
I got him inside, locked the door, rushed to the windows, yanked the curtains shut, checked the latches twice. “Okay. Safe. We’re safe.”
He sat on the bed, rocking a little. “They’re outside. They want you.”
“They’re just… reporters. They’ll leave.”
He shook his head fast. “They won’t. They’re loud. Too loud.”
I knelt in front of him, took his hands. “Look at me. Breathe with me. In… out. Like we practiced. In… out.”
He copied me, shaky at first, then steadier. Tears on his cheeks.
“Good. That’s good. I’m right here.”
My phone buzzed. Zariah.
I answered fast. “Z?”
“Don’t leave the house,” she said, breathless. “They found you. Your name, your address, everything’s online. TikTok, Instagram, Twitter. They’re everywhere.”
“Too late. They’re outside right now.”
Eli whimpered.
Zariah cursed. “Shit. How’s Eli?”
“Not great. He’s… panicking. We need to get out of here.”
“I’m coming. With Holland. We’re ten minutes away. Stay inside. Lock everything.”
“Okay. Hurry.”
I hung up.
Eli stared at me. “What’s happening?”
I swallowed. “Some people want to take pictures. Because of last night. But it’s okay. Zariah’s coming to help.”
