Page 18 of Rush

“Put on a show. Fake it. You might feel like shit, but no one needs to know that,” she says without missing a beat.

Her words land like a punch, but she’s right. Clip on the strings, smile for the cameras, become the puppet they expect.

“Reclaim the narrative,” she continues. “You’re not heartbroken—you’re booked, busy, moving on. Let Alexander have his happy little family bubble. You? You’re young, wild, free, having the time of your life. Hell, we could even stage a date—something to make it look like you’ve moved on. That’s my suggestion.”

Riley’s watching me now, arms folded, waiting for my reaction. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, eyes fixed on the city beyond the glass, and wonder how much of me I’ll have to lose to keep this promise to my mom.

“Okay—let’s do it,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “Not the date, but maybe a night out with friends. Well…friend. I really only have Riley.”

Riley beams, her grin bright and cheeky, as if the two of us against the world is all we’ll ever need. And maybe it is. She’s the sunshine to my darkness—the light that refuses to dim no matter how heavy the shadows get.

“No, that’s good. It’s a start,” Kylie says, her voice brisk again. “We can get your sister involved. You only need to be photographed arriving at the club. Stay ten minutes, sneak out the back, head home. Then, for the love of God, get back to work. The label’s scheduled an A&R meeting for Monday. Mark and I expect you there.”

Sounds like a plan, I guess.

A performance dressed up as freedom.

“I’ll be there.” I glance at Riley, who gives me a subtle thumbs-up.

“Great. I’ll loop Mark in. Expect Rio tomorrow afternoon. Do you need Mark to coordinate with your sister?”

“No, I can ask her.”

“Perfect. Have a good night out—and remember, smile on. Kylie out.”

The line clicks dead. I stare at my reflection in the darkened window, the city lights flickering behind me, and wonder if pretending to be okay is the first step toward actually feeling it.

The next day,Rio arrives with his glam team in tow.

“I, for one, think this is a brilliant idea,” Riley declares, tossing back the questionable cocktail she’s mixed. “Show that tosser what he’s missing.”

“Precisely.” Philippa adjusts the strap of her dress, its satin catching the light. “I’m glad you invited me out tonight—any excuse to get glammed up and spend time with you.” She glances over her shoulder. “You too, Riley.”

“Aww, I know you love me.” Riley winks, handing her a glass.

Philippa takes a sip and coughs. “Good lord—is there any mixer in this?”

“You’ll drink it and be grateful,” Riley quips.

I laugh, shaking my head at the pair of them. They bicker like sisters—one by blood, one by choice. Two pillars keeping me upright in this mad, glittering world.

“You’re all finished, Miss Montgomery,” Inga says, stepping back.

“Oooh,” Riley gasps. “Iloveit—it’s so sleek.”

I turn toward the hallway mirror. My hair falls pin-straight, shining under the downlight. The makeup is bolder than usual—darker liner, a hint of shimmer at the corners of my eyes. Rio’s dressed me in a silver dress that is slinky and clings like liquid moonlight.

“I’m thinking these,” he says, holding up a pair of thigh-high lace-up platform heels. “They’ll be a bitch to get on and off, but they’re fresh off the fall runway.”

“Oh, Elena, those are divine,” Philippa says, eyes widening. “Christian Louboutin?” she asks Rio.

“Good eye,” Rio answers with a grin. “I called in a favor—only the best for our girl.”

Our girl.

The words settle warm in my chest. For a moment, I see them all—Rio with his perfectionist flair, Inga with her gentle precision, Mark managing the trajectory of my career, even Kylie guiding me through the treacherous waters of the media and I realize how much they pour into me. The clothes, the makeup, the appearances…they’re more than vanity. They’re their craft, their livelihood. My showing up keeps all of us moving. We’re cogs in the same machine.

With that in mind, I straighten my shoulders, feeling resolve replace doubt. Even if I fake it tonight, I’ll fake it for them—and the fans who still believe in me and the music that brought us here.