Page 35 of Kisses and Paperclips

And somehow, I’m the weapon.

The room hummed around me—murmured speculation, the screech of chair legs against hardwood—but it all dissolved into white noise beneath the blade of Serena’s stare.

This wasn’t pride shining in those dark eyes.

Wasn’t reluctant acceptance.

This was ice.

This was steel.

Her gaze sharpened with every second, fortifications slamming into place so fast I could almost hear them locking.

Fragments of whispered conversation sliced through the air as people left the room:

“Everyone knows it should’ve been her.”

“She deserved it.”

The knot in my gut pulled taut.

I didn’t need the full picture to understand what stood before me.

Serena sat motionless, spine rigid, fingers curled so tight her knuckles bleached white. Every line of her body screamed the truth—she’d poured herself into this company, brick by fucking brick, only to watch it handed to the prodigal son who’d been absent for years.

To me.

I dragged a palm down my face, the stubble scraping against my skin.

I hadn’t campaigned for this.

Hadn’t earned it.

Yet here I stood, a crown shoved onto my head, while the rightful queen sat across from me with fire in her eyes and betrayal etched into every tense muscle.

Serena didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink.

Just lifted her chin another fraction, shoulders rolling back like she was strapping on armor.

And I?

I finally understood.

This wasn’t just a title change.

This was the first domino.

And when it fell, everything between us would crumble with it.

She’s for sure not coming back to my hotel tonight.

Chapter 7

Serena

Ms. Brooks must have just lost her mind.

I didn’t think I’d go through all these emotions in such a short amount of time. I felt pure joy when I heard my name leave her lips, but then I realized it wasn’t my name; everything was ruined with one name.

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