Chapter 5: Rumors and Realities

Me and Will Carter—always respectful, always keeping it PG. Sometimes, if the mood was right, we’d kiss and cuddle. But somehow, he always found ways to make me feel good, even if he never let things go too far.

It was like living in a private movie—slow glances, careful touches. He’d whisper little nothings in my ear, coaxing warmth from my skin, even when my head was full of doubts.

But I’d seen him, more than once, lying awake, body tense and burning. I offered to help, but Will always pulled away, keeping a safe distance. I figured he was just shy, until I saw those nasty online posts:

They said Will Carter wasn’t really a eunuch. He could be a real man—just not for me. He was the main character, the future governor. The current governor’s wife? She’d be his first lady. And me? I was just a disposable girl on the side.

In the middle of the night, I’d scroll through the comments, blue phone light making everything feel unreal. The things they said—so cruel, so certain—dug deep under my skin.

In the end, they said, to please the governor’s wife, he’d destroy my family. My chest tightened until I could barely breathe. Ignoring the chatter online, I called my maid. “Where’s Will Carter been running errands lately?”

“Besides his regular duties, he mostly comes to see you, ma’am. But lately, he’s also been going to the governor’s wife’s wing. I heard it’s been hot, and she can’t sleep. Will brought her some home remedy for sleep.”

My brow twitched. He never told me about that. “Keep an eye on Will Carter.”

My voice was sharper than I meant, and the maid looked startled. I forced a smile as she left, but the tension in my jaw wouldn’t go away. The air conditioner rattled on, but nothing cooled the fire burning in my chest.