Transcending To You

Chapter 32: IDGAF

The morning wasn't kind to Shyle. She woke with a heaviness, her eyes swollen from crying, her phone still on silent. Win had called—several times, it seemed—and left a message. Her heart sank as she read it, the words offering little comfort. She tossed the phone aside, deciding to scroll through social media to see if the storm had settled.

But as the videos loaded on her screen, her body went rigid. The world blurred for a second, and her heartbeat surged so fast she thought she might faint. Bright and Win, hand in hand, kissing on the balcony for all to see. A whirlwind of emotions hit her at once: shock, fear, confusion.

With trembling hands, she dialed Tisha, her panic barely contained as she waited for her friend to answer.

The moment Tisha picked up, Shyle's voice broke through in a frantic rush. "Check social media, Tisha. Bright and Win have lost their minds!"

Tisha, calm and collected, opened her feed. As the video played, a slow smile crept across her face. "Oh my God," she chuckled, "I never thought your son would be this bold."

Shyle wasn't amused. "Bold? He's being reckless! He's about to destroy his career—and he's dragging Win down with him."

Tisha's voice softened. "Do you really think he'd do this for just anyone?"

Shyle was silent for a moment. "I don't know," she finally whispered, "I just don't want Win to get hurt. People are already tearing Bright apart online."

"You're being too negative," Tisha countered gently. "I think this is the beginning of something good. No more hiding, no more lies. They can finally live freely."

"That might be true for Bright," Shyle sighed, "but Win? With Bright being in the spotlight like this, they won't spare him. People are vicious."

"Let him find his strength," Tisha replied with certainty. "I think today might be one of Win's happiest days."

Shyle wanted to believe that, but the dread gripping her chest wouldn't loosen its hold. The future seemed uncertain, and the present... it terrified her.

But Shyle wasn't the only one rattled by the news. CEOs, investors, and the wealthy elite who had placed their bets on Bright were losing their minds. The CEO of Bright's company had spiraled into panic mode. Barbara, too, was in a frenzy, calling Bright nonstop with no answer. When the calls went unanswered, she had no choice but to rush to his home, hoping to contain the damage.

Meanwhile, inside the house, Bright and Win had retreated back into the bedroom. Bright's towel had come loose during the spectacle outside, but he didn't seem to care. He came back in, laughing, still holding Win's hand.

"What did you just do?" Win asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and nervousness.

Bright shrugged, not an ounce of regret in his eyes. "I told the truth."

Win shook his head, his heart pounding from the public display. "I wasn't ready for that."

Bright squeezed his hand, his expression softening. "We've been hiding for too long. I'm not ashamed of us anymore."

"Are you crazy? Your whole career, your dreams, your future—everything, ruined in one second," Win's voice trembled with fear as he looked at Bright.

Bright met his gaze calmly, unshaken. "It's okay, as long as I have you."

"No, it's not okay," Win countered, his voice rising in frustration. "Not by me. I wanted to be your armor, the one who fights for your dreams, not the one who destroys them."

Bright's eyes softened, a touch of confusion in them. "But you said you'd hold me in every way."

"I would, and I will," Win shot back. "But I don't want to be the reason your dreams die."