Page 175 of Sunrise & Serenity

A flush creeps up his neck. “Because you’re better than this.”

Mom nods. “He’s right.”

I let out a slow breath, then another. “You mean you’re better than this. If I become an international success, you get to tell everyone you discovered me. That you mentored me. That I got there because of you.”

“That’s not true. I care about you.”

I glance between him and my parents. “You all keep talking about my career as if that’s the only thing that matters.”

Dad exhales. “No one is saying that.”

I raise my brows. “You’ve been saying it my entire life.”

Mom folds her arms. “We may not have started out supporting you in chasing this photography dream. But once you proved your talent⁠—”

“No.” The word comes out softer than I expect. “You only encouraged me after I found success. After Graham started molding me into something you saw as acceptable.”

Mom’s expression tightens. Dad looks away. Interesting. Maybe that one hit closer to home than I intended.

Graham steps forward. “You’re being unfair.”

“No. I’m finally being honest.”

A knock sounds at the door, and a second later, it eases open and Holden steps inside. He takes in my parents and Graham arrayed around my bed, then his eyes find mine.

“Mia told me you were awake.”

Warmth curls through my chest at the way he’s looking at me, as if no one else is in the room but us.

“I’m okay.” I glance at my parents and Graham. “Just clearing a few things up.”

His mouth twitches, and he nods. He doesn’t move closer or try to intervene, just leans against the wall, arms crossed, and watches as if he knows I’ve got this handled.

Letting out a breath, I refocus on the three people who’ve gone too long without hearing what I have to say.

“You’ve all spent years more concerned with what my life says about you than with what it means to me.” I sit up a little straighter, ignoring the fresh throb behind my eyes. “But there seems to be something all of you are missing.”

I pause for a beat, suddenly all too aware of Holden’s presence. “You keep talking like there’s still a decision to be made.”

“Sage—” Dad starts.

“But I’ve already made it.”

Holden shifts against the wall, but I can’t bring myself to look at him yet. “I already turned down the residency offer.”

Graham blinks. “What?”

“I officially turned it down. I’m taking on a permanent role at Wild Ember. I’m staying here.”

My words hang in the air, even as the tension I’ve been holding on to for far too long uncoils.

Mom and Dad appear genuinely stunned. Graham frowns, confused. “What kind of position?”

The question makes me smile. “Director of photography.”

Finally, I let myself look at Holden. He’s staring at me with an intensity that makes my heart stumble. Then his eyes close, and he exhales heavily.

My heart aches, but I turn back to my parents and Graham. The moment Graham opens his mouth to say something, I raise a hand to stop him. “This isn’t a debate,” I tell him. “And I’d like it if you’d leave now.”