Chapter 15


As the summit concluded, the atmosphere was a mix of resolution and ongoing tension. The sanctions on Yerba were partially lifted, and a labor detail was dispatched to ensure the successful implementation of the aid. The cameras flashed as Jade and Tori exchanged a final handshake in front of the assembled press.

Jade, feeling the weight of the summit and the complexities of her emotions, handed Tori a card with her private number, a gesture laden with unspoken sentiments. Their farewell was brief, marked by a lingering glance that spoke volumes. Once out of the public eye, Jade hurried to a private space, desperate to escape the facade of composed leadership.

In the quiet solitude of the room, Jade's tears flowed freely. She had scarcely registered Hazel's presence as her daughter entered quietly. Hazel approached her mother, sensing the emotional storm brewing beneath Jade's composed exterior. Without a word, Hazel wrapped her arms around Jade, offering the comfort of her presence.

"Maybe you shouldn't run…" Hazel whispered, her voice soft and soothing. Jade's sobs momentarily ceased as she looked up, her eyes red and swollen.

"How did you know?" Jade asked, her voice a fragile whisper.

Hazel hesitated, then confessed, "I heard you and Tori talking through the wall. After… you know, after you slept together. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude."

Jade's face flushed with embarrassment, her heart aching at the unintended invasion of privacy. "I'm so sorry, Hazel. I didn't mean for you to overhear that."

Hazel gave a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay. I heard you both say how much you loved each other. And I hope one day I can find a girl to love like that."

Jade looked at her daughter with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "How do you feel about me dating someone other than your father?"

Hazel's response was thoughtful and earnest. "I liked how alive you looked the next day. It was something I'd never seen while you were married to Beck. I wish things were different for you."

The raw honesty in Hazel's words struck Jade deeply. She realized that Hazel had seen a side of her that had been hidden for years, a side that had been rekindled by the connection with Tori. Jade reached out and hugged her daughter tightly, overwhelmed by the depth of their shared understanding.

"Thank you for being so understanding," Jade said, her voice thick with emotion. "It means more to me than you know."

They stayed in the embrace for a while, the silence between them filled with unspoken support. Hazel's presence was a grounding force for Jade, a reminder of the love and family that mattered most.

As Jade began to compose herself, she and Hazel talked quietly about their feelings and hopes for the future.


As Tori boarded the plane, her heart was a storm of relief and exhaustion. She hadn't anticipated seeing anyone familiar, but there, in a plush seat by the window, was Trina. The sight of her sister, so unexpectedly present, felt like a beacon of hope.

"Trina?" Tori's voice was a mix of surprise and joy. She moved quickly, wrapping her sister in a tight hug. Trina embraced her, holding her close as if to shield her from the world's turmoil.

Tori's tears began to fall uncontrollably. She sobbed into Trina's shoulder, her emotions spilling over. "I'm so glad you're here," she managed between gasps. "I didn't know if I could handle this alone."

Trina's expression softened with understanding. "What's going on? Why are you so upset?" she asked gently.

Tori pulled back, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "I… I don't even know where to start," she stammered. "There's so much I haven't told you."

Trina's protective instincts kicked in. She scanned the plane, noting the presence of U.S. security detail discreetly stationed around the cabin. She made sure the advisors and staff were at a comfortable distance, ensuring their conversation remained private.

"I didn't know you'd be on this flight," Tori continued, her voice trembling. "I thought I was alone with all this."

Trina settled into her seat, her gaze never leaving Tori. "I'm here now. What's troubling you?"

Tori took a deep breath, her mind racing. "I've been in love with someone for over twenty years," she confessed, her voice wavering. "Her name is Jade. We were close in high school, but I hurt her badly. We reconnected during the summit, and… everything came rushing back."

Trina listened intently, her eyes reflecting the weight of her sister's words. "I thought something was off, but I didn't know the full story," she admitted. "I had my suspicions, but I never imagined it was this profound."

Tori nodded, her emotions raw. "I was ready to walk away from Yerba, to stay with Jade. But I couldn't. I knew if I did, I'd lose all respect from the people I've worked so hard to lead. I couldn't let go of my responsibilities, even though all I wanted was to be with her."

Trina's protective demeanor became even more pronounced. She moved closer, placing a comforting hand on Tori's shoulder. "I'm sorry you've been carrying this burden alone," she said softly. "I had no idea you felt this way."

Tori's eyes filled with tears again. "I was so scared to tell you. I didn't know how you'd react. But Jade… she's been a part of my heart for so long, and now I'm losing her all over again."

Trina took a deep breath, her expression a mix of sympathy and resolve. "You don't have to go through this by yourself. We'll figure out how to navigate this together. I'll make sure you're not alone in dealing with this, and we'll find a way to handle everything when we land."

As the plane prepared for takeoff, Trina made sure they had a private area to talk, away from prying eyes and ears. Her protective nature was evident in every gesture, every reassuring word. She knew this was a pivotal moment for her sister, and she was determined to be there for her.

"Thank you," Tori said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Their conversation was abruptly cut short by the soft knock on the cabin door. The night steward, Aneka, entered quietly, carrying a tray laden with a late dinner for Tori. The atmosphere in the private plane's cabin shifted, the warmth between the sisters giving way to a more guarded tension.

Tori quickly composed herself, wiping away the remnants of her tears. Trina, however, remained on edge, her protective instincts still in full force.

"Dinner is served, Chancellor," Aneka said softly, her eyes avoiding Trina's probing gaze.

Tori forced a smile, trying to maintain an air of normalcy. "Thank you, Aneka," she replied, but her voice lacked its usual confidence.

Trina, not content with mere words, stepped forward, her eyes narrowing at the tray. "I want you to taste it first," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Aneka hesitated, her hand trembling slightly as she reached for the utensils. "Sheema usually does that," she stammered, glancing nervously at Tori.

"Sheema isn't here," Trina snapped, her patience wearing thin. "You eat it, or I'll have someone else do it."

With no other choice, Aneka took a small, ginger bite of the food, her face pale with fear. She chewed slowly, then quickly swallowed, her eyes darting toward the door as if planning her escape.

"Don't go anywhere," Trina commanded, stepping in front of her retreat. Aneka's agitation was evident, her composure crumbling as she tried to suppress the rising panic.

"Please," Aneka pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wasn't supposed to… I didn't want to…"

Trina's eyes darkened, her suspicions hardening into certainty. "Where's the antidote?"

Aneka's eyes widened in terror. "There isn't one," she admitted, her voice trembling. "That's why I didn't want to eat it. I didn't know… I didn't know it was for her…"

Tori's heart pounded in her chest, her mind reeling. Aneka had been one of the few people she trusted, the only one allowed near her in the vulnerable hours of the night. The betrayal cut deep, leaving her rattled and unsure of whom to trust.

Trina stepped forward, towering over the now frantic steward. "Get out," she ordered, her voice cold and unyielding. Aneka, tears streaming down her face, quickly gathered the untouched tray and fled the room, nearly tripping over herself in her haste to escape.

The door closed behind her with a resounding click, leaving Tori and Trina in the tense silence of the cabin. A few moments later, a loud thud echoed through the corridor outside, followed by the unmistakable sound of dishes clattering to the floor.

Trina and Tori exchanged a look of alarm before Trina quickly moved to the door. As she opened it, they found Aneka sprawled on the floor, her body convulsing as the poison took hold. Trina's instincts kicked in, but she knew there was nothing she could do. The poison had acted fast—too fast.

Tori's breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in horror as she watched the life drain from Aneka's eyes. The realization that she had been so close to death herself left her shaken to her core.

Trina, composed but visibly shaken, closed the door once more, shutting out the scene. She turned to Tori, her voice low and urgent. "You can't go home," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Tori nodded, her mind too clouded with fear and exhaustion to protest. "I know," she whispered, the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on her.

Trina reached out, pulling her sister into a protective embrace. "We'll figure something out," she promised, her voice resolute.

As they stood there, Tori's gaze drifted to the card in her hand—the one with Jade's private number scrawled across it in her elegant handwriting. "Well love… I need you sooner than we thought." She whispered to herself as she dialed.