Leia wasn't entirely sure how Dylan was somehow managing to get invites to award shows, galas and generally what seemed like remarkable exclusive events.

He didn't even have a proper job - unless you counted terrorising people as a job, which Leia figured he was pretty good at these days.

When she first met him, he had just been around because he was good friends with Justin Bieber, and that was how he'd been invited to the after party. It explained some of the things he'd been invited to when she'd first met him - but made little sense now. Justin was barely in the public spotlight these days and didn't attend events, so she'd just assumed that's where Dylan's invites would have stopped.

Yet here they were, invited to a film festival... and not because of her fame but because Dylan had a plus one on his invite. What did Dylan Redcrown know about films? She wasn't sure, but here they were anyway.

She wasn't overly optimistic about having a good night - although she never really was when she had to stand and pose on Dylan's arm like some sort of trophy girlfriend - but especially since she had seen some of the rumoured guest-list and knew there was little chance she would survive the night without at least one awkward run in with people she had once called friends.

Selena and Cara were both on the list Azul had obtained - Selena to promote a film she had coming out later that year, and Cara for reasons Leia wasn't sure on. Regardless, she knew that the chances of being able to avoid running into both of them was high, and the chance of running into one was even more significant.

Dylan seemed to be aware of that too, reminding her in the limo on the way to the red carpet of their 'little arrangement'. She'd noticed how Azul had tilted his head in the direction of the man, and Dylan had promptly stopped talking to her but kept that smug little smirk on his face. In another life, Leia would loved to have seen Azul wipe that right off his face with a good, old-fashioned left hook.

As Leia stepped onto the red carpet, the flashing lights momentarily blinded her. She blinked rapidly, her eyes adjusting to the chaos of photographers and reporters vying for attention. Dylan's arm snaked around her waist, pulling her close in a possessive gesture that made her skin crawl.

She plastered on her best smile, the one she'd perfected for these events, hoping it reached her eyes despite the unease churning in her stomach.

They moved down the carpet at a glacial pace, stopping every few feet for photos and the occasional soundbite. Leia's cheeks ached from smiling, her jaw tight as she tried to maintain her composure. She was yet to have to stop for an interview, and she truly wanted to keep it that way.

They had barely made it halfway down the carpet when Leia's heart skipped a beat.

There, just a few feet ahead, was Cara. The model-turned-actress was striking in a sleek black jumpsuit, her signature eyebrows perfectly arched as she posed for the cameras with a smirk on her lips. Leia felt her breath catch in her throat as Cara's eyes met hers, feeling a little bit like a deer that was about to be hit by a truck as Cara's eyes seemed to bore right through her and looked down at where Dylan's hand was wrapped around her hip.

As if drawn by some invisible force, they found themselves moving closer, the sea of people parting between them. Dylan's grip on Leia's waist tightened, a silent warning she couldn't ignore.

"Cara," Leia said, her voice barely audible over the din of the crowd. "It's... good to see you."

Cara's smile was tight, her eyes darting between Leia and Dylan. "Leia, hi. You look lovely."

Leia knew that Cara didn't think it was good to see Leia based on that alone. She'd seen Cara's expressions enough in her life to know that the blonde was not happy to see Leia at all right now, and Leia knew that it was likely in part to the 23 missed calls that had littered Leia's phone as soon as she'd broken up with Taylor, and the 17 that had came after her and Dylan went Instagram official.

Just another consequence of the role she was currently playing.

The awkwardness hung heavy in the air, thick enough to cut with a knife. A nearby photographer called out, asking for a photo of the two women together. Panic flashed across both their faces, but they knew refusing would only draw more attention.

"Smile," Dylan muttered in Leia's ear, his grip on her hip a little bit tighter as he bit the inside of his cheek at this interaction. He felt very out of control at what Cara would, could or maybe even should say at seeing her friend for the first time in just under two months.

Reluctantly, they posed side by side, their smiles fixed and unnatural. Leia could feel the tension radiating off Cara, mirroring her own discomfort. Dylan immediately pulled Leia closer, positioning himself between the two women. Leia felt her skin crawl at his touch but maintained her smile for the cameras.

Azul stood to the right, his eyes trained on the hand that was resting on Leia's hip with a locked jaw as his eagle eyes remained on every single movement that Dylan made.

As they posed, Leia couldn't help but notice the way Cara's body tensed, how her smile seemed more like a grimace. She wondered if Cara could see through her own facade, if she could tell how trapped Leia felt.

"How have you been?" Leia asked, desperately trying to fill the silence as they waited for the photographer to finish.

Cara's laugh was hollow, barely masking the pain in her eyes and had an underlying bitterness that made Leia regret even asking. "Oh, you know. Busy. Work and all that. You?"

"Ladies, if you could just turn slightly to the left," one of the photographers called out, oblivious to the tension between them. "Can we get one with just these two please?"

If it was any other situation, Leia might have sniggered under her breath at the look on Dylan's face when the photographers asked him to step away from the cameras focal points - but it wasn't and she didn't.

As soon as the photographers finished their last round of shots, Dylan's hand was back on Leia's waist, his fingers digging into her skin with barely concealed frustration. He flashed a practiced smile at Cara, all charm and no warmth.

"It's been lovely catching up, but we really must be heading in to find our table now, right Leia? Enjoy your evening, Cara."

Dylan's jaw was clenched, a muscle twitching in his cheek as he leaned in close to Leia's ear. His breath was hot against her skin, carrying the faint scent of expensive cologne and something darker.

"Not another word from you tonight, do you understand?" His voice was low, dangerous. "I won't have you ruining this for me."

Leia felt her heart racing, the weight of his words pressing down on her chest. She nodded mutely, knowing better than to argue. The din of conversation around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the sound of her own pulse thundering in her ears.

"Good," Dylan said, his tone softening slightly as he noticed a group of executives eyeing them curiously. He plastered on his signature charming smile, the transformation so swift it was almost dizzying. "Now, let's find our table, shall we?"

Leia looked to her side, noticing how Azul was seconds away from ruining the facade, the anger on his face as he saw the look that Dylan's words had caused Leia to have. She shook her head lightly at him, and he clenched his jaw once more, nodding ever so slightly back.

Leia's eyes darted around the room, taking in the sea of familiar faces. Actors, directors, producers – the who's who of Hollywood mingled effortlessly, their laughter and chatter filling the air. She spotted a few friendly faces, people she'd worked with in the past, but she didn't really feel like making conversation - not when her run-in with Cara had already made Dylan angry.

As they approached the seating area, Leia felt a wave of claustrophobia wash over her. The thought of sitting through an entire dinner, forced to play the role of Dylan's adoring girlfriend, made her stomach churn.

"I... I need to use the restroom," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dylan's eyes narrowed for a moment before he nodded curtly. "Yeah, whatever."

He released his grip on her waist, and Leia had to resist the urge to rub the spot where his fingers had been. She watched as Dylan made his way to their assigned table, effortlessly inserting himself into a conversation with a group of well-dressed men. His laughter carried across the room, and Leia wished she was deaf.

She made her way to the ladies' room, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

"You okay?" Azul muttered as he fell into step at her side, his dark eyes looking down at her with a gentleness that she'd never have expected from the man when they first met. Leia - and Riven, of course - had certainly made him into a much more softer soul than he had first been.

"Peachy," Leia breathed, before sighing at the disapproving look her gave her. "I just want to go home and hug Tate, if I'm being honest."

"I could go back there and tell Dylan you're sick-"

"It's okay," she replied, "we'll get through this and then there's no more events until July. Just this night and then it's a few more pap walks between now and then. You'll get to go back to Riven and I can just become a recluse with Tate - bliss."

He either didn't pick up on her bitterness when she mentioned him and Riven, or he chose not to comment on it. She didn't care either way. He leaned against the wall of the bathroom as she walked inside, pulling out his phone and typing away while he waited on her to come back out.

Leia locked herself in a stall, leaning against the door and closing her eyes. The muffled sounds of the party outside faded away as she focused on her breathing, trying to calm her racing heart. She knew she couldn't hide in here forever, but for just a few precious moments, she could pretend she was anywhere but here.

After composing herself, Leia emerged from the stall and approached the ornate sink. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, hardly recognizing the woman looking back at her. Her carefully applied makeup couldn't hide the weariness in her eyes or the tension in her shoulders. She splashed some cold water on her wrists, a trick she'd learned years ago to help calm her nerves before performances.

It was quiet in here.

There was only one other person in the restroom - a woman with pale blonde hair and a dress that Leia was honestly very interested in knowing who the designer was. It fit her like no dress had ever fit anyone else, and a part of Leia knew that it would have looked amazing on Taylor.

It was quite in here - but Leia's mind was full of Taylor.

"You look great, by the way," the woman complimented her, her eyes not taking themselves off herself in the mirror as she applied a final swipe of lipstick across her lips. Leia looked at her in the mirror, continuing to wash her hands as she gave her a soft smile.

"Thank you-"

"All things considered, of course," the woman finished, cutting off Leia's reply. Leia's smile dropped instantly, her eyebrows furrowing as she turned away from the sink and looked at the woman with a small hint of irritation at her comment.

"Excuse me?"

The woman shrugged nonchalantly, capping her lipstick and putting it back into her clutch like she hadn't just added a backhanded comment on to the tail of what Leia thought was a genuine compliment.

"Oh, no offence, of course," the blonde replied, a smirk on the edge of her lips as if she knew exactly what she had just done.

"Lots taken," Leia snapped back.

The mysterious woman turned to face Leia fully, her piercing gaze locking onto Leia's eyes with an intensity that made her want to look away. But something in the woman's expression held her captive, a mix of knowing amusement and something deeper, almost like pity.

"Oh, darling," the woman said, her voice a silky purr that sent shivers down Leia's spine. "I simply meant that you look remarkably composed for someone who's clearly... how shall we say... out of their element?"

Leia felt her cheeks flush, a mix of anger and embarrassment colouring her face.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, her voice tight with forced calm. "I don't think you know who you're speaking to-"

"Leia Hudson, 'up-and-coming pop-star'," the woman remarked, no hesitation. The scent of her perfume, something vaguely familiar and somewhat sweet, wafted over Leia as she took a step towards her, leaning so that her mouth was right beside Leia's ear. "I know who I'm talking to, and from where I'm standing, it looks like you're a bird in a very gilded, very uncomfortable cage."

Leia's heart began to race, her palms growing sweaty. How could this stranger possibly know? She forced herself to maintain eye contact, unwilling to show weakness.

"I think you're reading too much into things," she said, striving for a casual tone. "I'm here with my boyfriend, enjoying a lovely evening."

"It's just... well, it must be exhausting, don't you think?" the woman mused, her voice silky smooth. "Keeping up appearances, playing the perfect girlfriend when we both know it's all smoke and mirrors."

Leia's mind raced, trying to piece together who this woman could be and how she could possibly know so much. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat. The woman stepped closer - not that Leia had thought it was even possible - and had her entire body almost touching Leia as her eyes dropped from Leia's eyes to her mouth and then back up again.

"Tell me, Leia," she whispered, her breath warm against Leia's ear, "what would you give to be free? To step out from under his shadow and reclaim your life?"

Leia jerked back and away from the stranger, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure the woman could hear it.

"I don't know what game you're playing, but I want no part of it," she hissed, trying to inject venom into her words even as her voice trembled.

Before she could respond, the bathroom door swung open. A group of chattering women entered, their voices shattering the intense atmosphere and causing Leia to turn around so that they didn't see the expression on her face. When Leia turned back, the mysterious woman was gone, the door closing shut behind her as she slipped out.

What the fuck was that all about?

"You took your time," Dylan remarked as Leia sat down at the table, his smile wide at her and she realised that he wasn't actually curious where she'd been, but playing up the act for the others at the table.

"Yeah, I couldn't find my clutch," Leia responded, and Azul settled into a seat a few tables behind them. She wondered if everyone at that table was some form of security, since they all seemed just as tense and uptight as him. "It was fine, Azul had it."

Dylan nodded, his smile never wavering as he turned back to the conversation at hand. Leia tried to focus on the chatter around her, but her mind kept drifting back to the strange encounter in the bathroom. Who was that woman, and how did she know so much?

___

She didn't have to wait long to get her answers.

"Leia, this is my new PR manager," Dylan told her as she entered the conference room a week later, having been told by Riven that they'd both been invited to a public appearance strategy meeting by Dylans' team. "Thena, this is Leia and Riven, Leia and Riven, this is Thena."

Leia wanted to throw a literal tantrum the second the blonde woman spun on her office chair to greet both of them with a smirk. Riven paused in his step for a brief second, and Leia was too caught up in her own internal battle to notice it or even question it.

Thena rose gracefully from her chair, her sleek black dress hugging her curves in a way that seemed both professional and provocative. Her pale blonde hair was swept up in an elegant chignon, accentuating her high cheekbones and piercing green eyes. As she approached, Leia caught a whiff of that familiar perfume - sweet and intoxicating.

The same one she'd worn the week before when she cornered Leia in that bathroom.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you both officially," Thena purred, her voice as smooth as silk. She extended a perfectly manicured hand towards Leia, her white manicured nails glinting under the fluorescent lights. "I've heard so much about you, Leia."

What was she playing at?

Leia's throat tightened as she shook Thena's hand, fighting to keep her expression neutral. The memory of their encounter in the bathroom at the film festival flashed through her mind... the knowing smirk, the whispered words, the unsettling almost intimacy of it all.

"Likewise," Leia managed, her voice sounding strained even to her own ears. She cleared her throat, forcing a smile. "I'm looking forward to working with you."

Thena's lips curved into a knowing smirk, her eyes dancing with amusement as if she could see right through Leia's facade.

"Oh, I'm sure we'll work very closely together. I have some... ideas."

Before Leia could respond, Riven stepped forward, his usually confident demeanour slightly subdued.

"Thena," he said, his voice carrying a hint of surprise and something else Leia couldn't quite place. "I didn't realise you were the new PR manager Dylan mentioned."

Thena turned her attention to Riven, her smile widening.

"Riven Harris," she said, her tone warm but with an undercurrent of tension. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Great, Leia thought. This woman had gotten to them both already, it seemed.

Leia's eyebrows rose involuntarily. She glanced between Riven and Thena, noting the subtle shift in Riven's posture and the way Thena's eyes seemed to gleam with a mix of nostalgia and challenge.

"You two know each other?" Dylan asked, seemingly just as confused as Leia. He didn't look overly impressed by the revelation, and for once, Leia agreed with the sentiment. She didn't like this one bit. Something really strange was going on right now.

Riven nodded, his hand absently adjusting his tie.

"We went to college together."

"How delightful!" Thena exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "We'll have to catch up properly sometime, Riven. I'm sure we have plenty of stories to share."

Leia watched the exchange with growing unease. There was an undercurrent of tension between Riven and Thena that she couldn't quite decipher. Riven's usual warmth was replaced by a cool politeness, and Thena's enthusiasm seemed almost like she was on the offence about something.

As they settled into their seats around the conference table, Leia couldn't shake the feeling that she was missing something crucial. She found herself studying Thena's every move, from the graceful way she flipped through her notes to the subtle smirks that played at the corners of her lips.

Thena launched into a detailed presentation about upcoming public appearances and media strategies. Her voice was melodic and captivating, drawing everyone's attention effortlessly. Leia noticed how Dylan seemed particularly enthralled, hanging on Thena's every word with an eagerness that made her stomach churn. Even Riven was seemingly hooked on everything she was suggesting.

Why was everyone so into this woman? What hold did she have over them all?

Just as Thena was about to launch into her presentation, the door to the conference room swung open. Azul strode in, his usual stoic expression firmly in place.

"Apologies for the interruption," he said, his deep voice resonating through the room. "I wasn't told the meeting had been moved to this location."

Leia watched as Azul's eyes scanned the room, landing on each face in turn. When his gaze fell on Thena, something shifted in his demeanor. It was subtle – a slight tensing of his shoulders, a barely perceptible narrowing of his eyes – but Leia caught it. She'd spent enough time around Azul to recognise when something was off.

"Ah, you must be Azul," Thena said, her voice dripping with honey. "I've heard so much about you. Please, join us."

Azul nodded curtly, taking a seat at the far end of the table. His eyes never left Thena, watching her with the intensity of a predator tracking its prey – or perhaps it was the other way around. Leia couldn't quite tell.

Did he recognise her from the week before? Had he seen her when she left the bathroom and Leia had asked him afterwards if he'd noticed anyone weird exit?

If so - why had he told her he hadn't noticed anyone?

Leia found herself unable to focus on the actual content. Instead, her attention was wholly captured by Thena. Every so often, Thena's eyes would meet Leia's across the table. Each time, without fail, Thena would offer a subtle wink or a knowing smirk, as if they shared some delicious secret. It made Leia's skin prickle with a mixture of anxiety and an emotion she couldn't quite name.

The first time it happened, Leia felt a jolt of surprise run through her. By the third time, she was fighting to keep the blush from her cheeks. What game was Thena playing? And why did Leia feel so off-balance?

She glanced around the table, wondering if anyone else had noticed the silent exchange. Dylan was engrossed in the presentation, nodding along and occasionally jotting down notes. Riven was seemingly in his own head, barely looking at Leia at all and Azul was aggressively texting someone on his phone from the corner of the room.

As the meeting wrapped up, Leia couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She glanced up to find Thena's eyes on her once again, that same intense, almost predatory gaze that made Leia's heart race.

"Leia, darling," Thena called out as everyone began to gather their things. "Could you stay behind for a moment? I'd like to discuss some specifics with you."

Dylan nodded approvingly. "Good idea. I've got a call to make anyway. Leia, I'll see you later."

Riven and Azul both hesitated, neither of them looking particularly thrilled at the idea of Leia being left alone with the woman. Leia cast a glance between the couple, biting the inside of her cheek as she fought internally with herself about being left alone with this woman.

"I can stay, if you'd like," Riven spoke, and was immediately spoke over by Azul.

"I'd much rather stay with my client," Azul told Thena, his eyes focused on Leia.

"Now now, boys," Thena replied, the way she rolled her eyes sending a flush of something down Leia's spine that she couldn't quite pinpoint. "No need for the protective cat claws. It's just a quick chat between us girls, you understand that, I'm sure?"

Azul and Riven shared a look - another that did not go unnoticed by Leia - before realising that they weren't going to win this one.

"I'll be right outside the door," Azul said, his eyes now focusing on the woman. "We both will be."

As the door closed behind Riven and Azul, Leia felt a wave of unease wash over her. Thena made sure the door was fully clicked shut, her blonde curls bouncing slightly as she turned back to face Leia, a smirk on her face.

"Well, well," Thena purred, circling around the table like a predator stalking its prey. "Isn't this cozy?"

Leia straightened her spine, determined not to show any weakness.

"What do you want, Thena? Why are you really here?"

"Oh, darling. I'm here because you need me. Whether you realise it or not."

"I don't need anything from you," Leia shot back, her voice sharp. "I don't even know you."

"No?" Thena raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. She moved to stand behind Leia, leaning down and placing her mouth beside Leia's ear, similar to how she'd done that night in the bathroom. Leia hated the way it kind of excited her a little. "Not even a way out of this gilded cage you've found yourself in?"

Leia's heart skipped a beat. She tried to keep her expression neutral, but Thena's knowing look told her she'd failed.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Leia said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Think about it," Thena continued, her voice hypnotic. "No more pretending. No more living in fear of Dylan's temper. You could be yourself again. Isn't that what you want?"

It made sense now that Thena had known about Leia's predicament if she was working on Dylan's team. She'd probably helped to draft those documents that he'd sent over to her two months prior, probably sat and helped him map up the perfect execution of how he'd blackmail her into getting his public image up.

What didn't make sense, was the fact it almost seemed like she was trying to strike a deal underneath him.

"And what's the catch?" Leia asked, her voice stronger now. "There's always a catch."

Thena's laugh was genuine this time, tinged with admiration.

"Smart girl. You're right, of course. Nothing in this world comes for free."

And when Thena told her what she wanted, Leia knew that the Universe really did hate her.

____

"I want you to come home," Leia said, sighing as she alternated between biting her nails and pacing the floor. "I need you to come home. I think it's best that you come home. I was thinking, why don't you come-"

"You're overthinking it," Riven interrupted her, sighing as he looked up from the table that he and Azul were currently sitting at, having been watching Leia pace back and forth while muttering to herself for the better part of an hour now.

Leia had refused to tell them what Thena had wanted to talk to her about, and as a consequence of that refusal, they had declared that they were coming over and having lunch at her apartment. She'd had no reason to turn them down, and that had led to Azul taking them through to get sushi carryout and bring it back to the apartment.

Tate had been delighted to see Azul, although Leia did note that the black dog wanted little to do with Riven. She supposed he was still annoyed that he hadn't seen the man often anymore when he'd used to see him almost every day. She kind of respected Tate's dedication to his grudges. He was the sole reason that Dylan couldn't make it past the hallway of the apartment when he did his pap walks into her building.

Leia took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She glanced at her phone, checking the time for what felt like the hundredth time in the past hour. Georgie would be here any minute.

"Okay," she said, more to herself than to Riven and Azul. "I can do this. It's just Georgie. My sister. Who I love. And who probably hates me right now."

"She doesn't hate you, Leia. She's just... confused. And hurt."

"Yeah, well, that makes two of us," Leia muttered, running a hand through her hair.

The sound of the doorbell made her jump. Tate, who had been lounging on the couch, perked up his ears and let out a low yap. It was almost as if he could sense one of his favourite people were on the other side of the door, and Leia figured he probably could.

"That's her," Leia said, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked at Riven and Azul, panic clear in her eyes. "What if she doesn't want to come back? What if I've ruined everything?"

"Oh my god, just open the fucking door?" Riven whisper-shouted at her, Azul shooting him a side glare as Leia rolled her eyes. Riven was right, she thought, she did just need to get a grip and open the door to Georgie.

She paused for a moment, her hand on the doorknob, before finally opening it.

Georgie stood in the hallway, looking both familiar and like a stranger at the same time. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and she wore an oversized NYU sweatshirt that Leia recognised - but it wasn't hers. It was one she'd seen one other person wear - the one person that she wanted to be with more than anything. The sight made Leia's heart ache.

Taylor's sweater.

"Hey," Leia said softly, stepping aside to let her sister in.

"Hey," Georgie replied, her voice equally quiet. She stepped into the apartment, her eyes darting around as if searching for changes since she'd last been there.

An awkward silence fell between them, thick with unspoken words and lingering hurt. Leia cleared her throat, gesturing towards the living room.

"Um, Riven and Azul are here. They were just leaving to take Tate for a walk, though."

"Oh, um, hi," Georgie said, her voice uncertain as she looked at the two men who were standing at the table, the food in front of them telling her that they'd had no plans to be taking Tate a walk until the words had fallen from Leia's lips. "Is... is Dylan here?"

"Uhm, no," Leia murmured. "Tate won't let him in."

"Hey, buddy," Georgie said softly, bending down to scratch behind Tate's ears as the dog strolled over to her, bumping his large head against Georgie's hand at her side in excitement as he saw her. The dog's tongue lolled out, clearly thrilled to see her.

Riven and Azul exchanged glances, sensing the tension in the air.

Riven cleared his throat, "Well, we should probably get going. Tate, buddy, want to go for a walk?"

Tate looked up at Riven, then back at Georgie, his tail wagging slowly. He whined softly, clearly torn between his love for walks and his excitement at seeing Georgie again.

"It's okay, Tate," Leia said softly. "You can stay if you want."

The dog needed no further encouragement. He plopped down at Georgie's feet, resting his head on her shoes.

Azul chuckled, "Looks like we've been outvoted. We'll catch you later, Leia. Georgie, good to see you... don't be a stranger, alright?"

The two men gathered their things and headed for the door. Leia watched them go, feeling a mix of gratitude for their support and anxiety at being left alone with her sister. As the door clicked shut behind them, the apartment fell into an uncomfortable silence.

Leia turned to face Georgie, her heart pounding. Her sister stood there, one hand absently stroking Tate's head, her eyes fixed on a point somewhere over Leia's shoulder. The oversized NYU sweatshirt hung off her frame, a constant reminder of the person who wasn't there.

"Do you want something to drink?" Leia asked, desperate to break the silence.

Georgie shook her head. "I'm fine, thanks."

Another beat of silence.

Leia fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, her eyes darting between Georgie and the floor. Georgie stood still, one hand absently stroking Tate's head, her expression unreadable.

"So," Leia finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "How... how have you been?"

Georgie's laugh was sharp and humorless. "Really? That's what you're going with?"

Leia winced, closing her eyes briefly.

"How about with an explanation?" Georgie's voice was tight, controlled. "Why, Leia? Why did you do all of this?"

Leia took a deep breath, steeling herself.

"Georgie, I... I'm so sorry. For everything. I never meant to hurt you, or anyone else. I know I messed up, and I want to make it right." She paused, her voice softening. "I want you to come home. Please."

Georgie's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of something – hope, maybe? – crossing her face before it hardened again.

Just like that? You think you can just say sorry and everything will be okay?"

"No, of course not," Leia said quickly. "I know it's not that simple. But I miss you, Georgie. This place... it doesn't feel like home without you here."

"Then tell me why," Georgie pressed, taking a step closer. "Help me understand, Leia. Because right now, none of this makes sense. You were happy with Taylor. We were happy. And then suddenly you're with Dylan again, you've got drugs in your drawer - yes, Taylor told me - and you're acting like he's the godforsaken love of your life!"

"Georgie, there are things that I cannot-"

"You've thrown EVERYTHING away and you won't even explain why-"

"You wouldn't understand-"

"Don't give me that bullshit-"

"It's not that simple, Georgie!"

"You think I wouldn't understand?" Georgie's voice rose, her eyes flashing with anger. "I'm not a child anymore, Leia! I'm your sister, and I deserve to know why you've thrown everything away!"

Leia felt her own frustration rising, the weight of her secrets pressing down on her. "There are things you don't know, things I can't-"

"Can't what?" Georgie interrupted, her voice cracking. "Can't trust me with? Can't bear to tell me? What could possibly be so terrible that you'd rather destroy everything than just talk to me?"

"I did it to protect you!" Leia finally burst out, her voice raw with emotion. "Everything I've done in the last two months has been to protect you, Georgie!"

The room fell silent, save for the sound of their heavy breathing. Georgie took a step back, her eyes wide with shock and confusion.

The words hung in the air between them, heavy and charged. Leia could see the hurt in Georgie's eyes, the confusion and betrayal that had been building for months. She felt her resolve crumbling, the carefully constructed walls she'd built around her secrets beginning to crack.

Leia's shoulders sagged, the weight of her secret finally becoming too much to bear. She sank onto the couch, burying her face in her hands. Tate, sensing her distress, padded over and rested his head on her knee.

"What... what are you talking about?" Georgie finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Dylan... he has... something. About you." Leia's voice was soft, filled with a mixture of pain and determination. "He threatened to go public with it if I didn't do what he wanted."

"What?"

"George, Dylan's been blackmailing me - and if I don't do what he says... he's going to ruin your life."

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introducing...

Ana De Armas as Thena Hidalgo