Chapter 7: Unraveling

The online hate, plus the first lady’s digs, left me anxious for days. My head pounded so bad I thought it’d split open. Will Carter heard and brought me chamomile tea. We hadn’t seen each other in a month.

Even though I’d confirmed Will’s relationship with the governor’s wife was clean and my family was safe, seeing Will made me wary. His kindness felt like a knife hanging over my head—one wrong move and it would fall, sealing my family’s fate for someone else’s love. He must’ve noticed because he smiled, a little helplessly. “I brought you Tylenol and a heating pad,” he said. “Headaches suck. Don’t let your health tank over me. I’m not worth it.”

Sunlight striped the carpet as Will, dressed in green, handed me the medicine. His eyes were soft, a few strands of black hair brushing my neck, sending a chill down my spine. He really cared. But why? I sneered, tracing his high nose bridge with my fingers—a gentle tease, remembering what they say about guys with noses like his.

Will’s breath hitched, cheeks going pink. For a second, I felt lost. They say he’s destined for the first lady, but the guy in front of me was still my Will—the same young assistant who used to look at me like I mattered. What if all those rumors were just noise?

Then the comments exploded again:

[@MainHeroineWins]: Doesn’t matter how much she tries. He’ll never betray the main chick.

[@RedFlagWatcher]: Don’t let that blushing fool you—he hates her inside.

[u/TeaSpillQueen]: When will the side girl just leave? He’s got dark circles from staying up late for the main girl. Sad.

My mood soured. I cupped Will’s face, looking for signs—there really were dark circles under his eyes. I yanked my hand back, frustration choking me. “Forget it. I don’t want the heating pad. You can go.”

Will blinked, a flash of hurt in his eyes. But he quietly packed up and left. At the door, he turned back: “The tea will help you relax. Don’t forget to drink it.”

I propped my chin in my palm, lost in thought. I remembered the way Will’s eyes rimmed red, about to cry—for me. I swallowed the cold tea in one gulp and hurried out, the bitterness lingering on my tongue, driving me to move.