Page 73 of The Love Syllabus

His smile deepens, and I hate that I suddenly feel hot under his gaze. Thankfully, Vicky appears, pulling all of us into a warm embrace. “Well, aren’t y’all a sight to behold?” She beams, kissing Syd and Ari’s foreheads.

Then, Vic briefly steps away to resolve an issue, allowing enough time for us to explore the studio.

However, with a knowing smile, Vicky glances at me and says, “So, have you met his new co-star yet? She’s a firecracker, that one. A little too…handsy for my taste, though. Don’t you think?”

I squint at her as suspicion creeps into my voice. “Ms. Vicky, are you being messy?”

She shrugs, completely unbothered. “I can spot a snake from a mile away, that’s all.” She sews the seed then struts off, leaving me on edge.

During the crew break, Serena steps off to interview the showrunner while Ari anxiously tugs my hand and bounces with excitement.

“Can we meet Krista Ray?” She asks, flashing a huge smile across her face. “We follow her on Instagram! She’s so cool and stylish, and she cooks the prettiest meals.”

I side-eye her,hard, but Ari’s sparkling eyes make me cave.

“Fine,” I say reluctantly, then motion for them to follow me toward the set. “But if she’s rude, I’m not responsible for my actions.”

We wait patiently as Krista finishes talking to someone. Then, I step forward with a warm, professional smile.

“Hi, Krista Ray. I’m—”

Her eyebrows shoot up in annoyance before I can even finish.

“A fan, I know. Nothing new.” Then she glances down with an exaggerated sigh. “Since when were kids allowed in here? I wasn’t aware we’d be doing charity work today.” She blurts out, but her gaze lingers on Ari’s prosthetic leg… too long.

Ari’s happy mood instantly changes, and the excitement drains from her face. She takes a half step back, visibly shrinking within herself and twisting her shirt between her fingers in a desperate attempt to hold back the sting of tears.

And all I see red. Without thinking, I immediately pull the girls closer, using my body as a protective wall between them and Krista.

“Well,” I say, my voice razor-sharp. “I guess I why they say it’s best not to meet the people you admire from afar. You’re absolute trash, Krista.”

Her shock is brief before she scoffs and rolls her eyes just as Vic’s voice cuts through the air.

“There are my three beautiful ladies. What’re we talking about over here?”

My little tell-it-like-it-is Syd pipes up, “Ms. Kind was just about to beat up Ms. Mean Krista Ray.”

Krista stiffens when he looks down at Ari and sees it. Her insecurity. Her self-doubt. A look we haven’t seen in months. His smile disappears, and his eyes darken. His voice remains calm but drops dangerously low.

“What the hell did you do to my daughter?”

The entire set goes quiet.

Krista pales. “I—I didn’t realize they were your daughters. I’ve only seen pics online. I just thought they were—”

“Oh, so you just treat everyone with disrespect, huh?” His voice stays calm, but the disgust in it is unmistakable. “Apologize.”

Krista blinks. “Huh?”

Vic’s tone doesn’t waver. “Apologize to my family.Now. All three of them. Or I won’t film another minute with you.”

Humiliation spreads across her face like wildfire, laid bare for the entire set to witness. She mumbles out an apology, her voice small, tight, and fake as hell.

“I’m sorry.”

Vic doesn’t blink. “Try again.”

She swallows hard. “I’m sorry, Ari. And Syd. And…” She hesitates, her jaw tightening before forcing out my name, tight with resentment, “…Ms. Kind.”

---