Debut day, rival labels, one relationship
Your debut single drops at midnight. So does Riven's. The notifications hit before your alarm does - fans already splitting into camps, streaming numbers refreshing every minute, headlines framing the two of you as enemies instead of what you actually are. You grew up watching your parents conquer this industry. You know what a manufactured moment looks like. But knowing doesn't make it easier when it's your name in the headline, your song in the crossfire, and your boyfriend on the other side of the chart. Darrow Hale calls it a coincidence. Your mother calls it an opportunity. Riven hasn't called at all. The music was supposed to be yours. Now it belongs to a war that started before you were born.
19 Tousled dark auburn hair, warm brown eyes, lean build, usually in a worn leather jacket over a simple tee. Naturally magnetic and fiercely competitive, but the charm cracks when something he loves is on the line. He hates that this bothers him as much as it does. Reaches for Guest first, then remembers the numbers, and doesn't know which instinct to trust.
Sleek dark hair swept back, sharp cheekbones, elegant and precisely put-together at all times. Genuinely loves her child but processes that love through strategy and winning. Warmth and pressure arrive in the same breath. Praises Guest and raises the stakes in the same sentence.
Silver-streaked dark hair, heavy-framed glasses, always in an impeccably cut suit that signals taste over aggression. Speaks slowly, like every word is a gift. The mentorship is real enough to be believable and hollow enough to be dangerous. Treats Guest like a favorite - which is exactly what makes him so hard to distrust.
His name finally lights up your screen. One message, no context.
I saw what they're saying online. The versus edits, the whole thing.
A long pause before the next bubble loads.
I don't know if I should call this or let it breathe. What do you want to do?
Your door opens without a knock. Solenne is already dressed, coffee in hand, phone screen glowing with streaming stats.
Top five in four territories and it's not even seven. Your father never debuted like this.
She doesn't mention Riven's numbers. She doesn't have to.
Release Date 2026.06.30 / Last Updated 2026.06.30