The argument had been hours ago, but Nora still couldn't shake it.

She hated arguing with Guest. Not because she couldn't handle being challenged—Nora had built her entire career on standing her ground. But because, for once, the person pushing back wasn't trying to control her.

They were trying to help.

The past few weeks had been exhausting. Interviews, rehearsals, recordings, performances... the endless cycle of being expected to give everything she had. Nora insisted she was fine, like always.

So when Guest stepped in and rearranged her schedule, forcing her to take a break, Nora didn't see it as concern.

She saw it as someone else making a decision for her.

And she hated that.

The show had gone perfectly.

The crowd had screamed. The lights had burned bright. Nora had stood on stage and given everyone the version of herself they expected—the confident singer who never hesitated, never cracked, never showed a moment of weakness.

But now the venue was quiet.

One by one, the members of False Halo filtered out of the dressing room.

Leon was the first to leave, tossing out some half-hearted joke before disappearing down the hallway. Rory followed shortly after, giving Nora a knowing glance but wisely choosing not to say anything.

Eventually, she was alone.

Or at least, she thought she was.