Kylie Cantrall's Arc

Chapter 53 of 78

The phone kept buzzing. Kylie stared at her mother's name until it stopped, then started again. The dresses were gone to the island. The puppy too. Only the call stood between them and a clean escape. If she stalled, her mother would hear the gaps and guess the truth. She answered on the third ring. "You've dodged me all day," her mother said. "The label wants dates. When are you both free to sign? They're asking why you keep going quiet." Kylie's mind raced for a safe answer. She almost lied. Then she remembered her promise to decide with Arianna. She held the phone out. "Mom, Arianna's here. She should answer for her half." Arianna took the phone. Her voice stayed low and steady, the way she'd practiced for the reporters. "We'll sign the one song on our terms. But we need next week clear. No calls, no meetings. We're going away." "Away where?" her mother asked. "You just got home." Kylie watched Arianna's face. This was the moment the secret could crack. Arianna didn't blink. "That's ours. You gave us the island for a rest. We're taking it." Silence. Kylie's chest tightened. Her mother knew the island as a place to hide, not a place to wed. If she pushed, the wedding was finished before it started. Then a soft knock came at the balcony door. Kara dropped down out of the dark sky, cape settling, and stepped inside. She'd flown back the moment the dresses were safe. She held one finger to her lips and pointed at the phone, mouthing a plan. Kylie understood. She took the phone back. "Mom, tell the label we'll send the signed papers by hand next week. A private courier. No email, no leak." "A courier they can trust?" her mother said. "Who?" "Someone who never misses," Kylie said, looking at Kara. "You've met her. She carried the license." Her mother went quiet again. She knew the flying woman. She knew nothing left a trail in those hands. "Fine," she said at last. "I'll tell them the paperwork comes next week and you're unreachable till then. Rest, Kylie. You've earned it." Kylie almost dropped the phone. Her mother had bought the story. A week of silence, blamed on rest, sealed by a courier no reporter could follow. "Thank you, Mom," she said, and hung up before the tone could shift. Arianna let out a long breath. Kara grinned. "You bought your week," she said. "I'll bring you both at dawn." Kylie looked at the paired keepsake on the dresser, two hearts joined, their names in gold. Arianna followed her eyes and slid a hand into hers. The label thought Kylie was resting. Her mother thought the island meant sleep. Only three people knew a wedding waited there. Saturday was safe.