Part 1

Ira Suwannathat beamed at the seventy thousand faces in the sold-out arena as the last notes of the final song faded into the thunderous cheers of the crowd. The electric, can't-get-enough energy from the audience was intoxicating, and she let herself soak in every second of it. This wasn't just any performance; it was pure magic. A celebration of music, sisterhood, and the rare kind of joy that can only come from sharing a stage with the people you love most.

Someone in the front row screamed, "We love you, Ira!" The girl looked like she was in her late teens, mascara streaked down her tear-stained cheeks, and she clutched a homemade sign that read, "Suwannathat Sisters Forever!"

Ira reached for Kate and Ying's hands, squeezing tightly before raising them high in a triumphant salute. Her grin was unstoppable. "We love you more!"

The roar that answered was deafening, a wave of affection that felt sweeter and stronger than anything Ira had experienced as a solo artist. This wasn't just about her. It was about them. The Suwannathat Sisters were back, and this tour was proof that together, they could do anything.

She turned to her sisters, their smiles mirroring her own. This was where they belonged. On stage. Together.

"Thank you for sticking with us all these years!" Ira let go of their hands and stepped forward, her voice heartfelt and steady despite the adrenaline rushing through her veins. "You've been with us through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Your love means everything to us. Everything!"

"Thank you for your joy!" Ying chimed in, her eyes sweeping over the crowd like she was personally soaking in every single face. "We feel it every single day, and it keeps us going!"

Kate raised both arms in an exuberant wave. "You give us more love than we could ever ask for. Thank you for always being there!"

Ira glanced at her sisters, her heart swelling with pride and gratitude. Together, they said, "And most of all... thank you for being you!"

The audience erupted as the sisters turned to leave the stage, the realization dawning that this truly was the end of the show.

They'd already given them three encores, including a brand-new song Ying had poured her heart into, and Ira found herself wishing they could do it all over again just to hold onto this moment a little longer.

"Until next time!" Ying called out, blowing kisses to the crowd as she exited.

Kate pointed at the audience with a grin. "Remember, you're amazing!"

The crowd roared back in unison, turning her words into a thunderous chant. "You're amazing! You're amazing! You're amazing!"

Ira gave one final wave, her heart full. "Thank you and good night!"

As the sisters stepped off the stage, the screams and applause chased them down the corridor, wrapping around Ira like a warm embrace. The energy spun her around in a giddy whirlwind, leaving her breathless and elated.

Now that was a show.

She linked arms with Kate and Ying as they made their way toward the backstage pass line. "What a perfect way to end the tour. They absolutely loved that last song, Ying. It was brilliant. Bet it's topping the charts by tomorrow morning."

"I bet it's there in an hour," Kate said with a confident grin. "That song is a masterpiece."

"You two brought it to life," Ying said, her already glowing face lighting up even more as her fiancée, Prigkhing Sureeyares, appeared through the crowd.

Prigkhing grinned and reached up to wrap her arms around Ying's waist, tugging her down slightly as she lifted onto her tiptoes to plant a kiss on her cheek. "Phenomenal show, baby! If I didn't know you were coming home with me, I'd be so jealous right now. I saw at least three people near the side of the stage trying to get your attention."

Ying chuckled, looking down at Prigkhing with playful affection. "I didn't even notice them. Now stop being ridiculous and let me go; we've got a line to work."

Prigkhing obliged but not before pulling her into a quick, tender kiss. "Fine, but don't keep me waiting too long. I'll be in the green room." She stepped back, giving Ying a wink as she disappeared into the bustling backstage crowd.

"Party still on?" Prigkhing called over her shoulder.

"Absolutely," Ira replied with a grin, her excitement infectious.

"There's no way we're canceling it now," Tan, the CEO of the Suwannathat Sisters' label, IS Records, said as he approached with their brother, Wisanu.

"Cancel it? The crowd would revolt," Wisanu said with a warm laugh, clapping Tan on the shoulder.

"Especially from me," Ira said.

Wisanu swept them all into a group hug so tight it was hard to breathe. "I'm so proud of all of you. I can't believe how well this tour has gone. I'm so happy I could cry."

Ira made a strangled sound. "Air!"

Wisanu laughed and released them. "Sorry. I'm just... I might be backstage, but I still get caught up in the moment."

Ira was astonished to see actual tears in her normally composed brother's eyes.

Ying gave Wisanu another hug. "We need to plan the next tour now. That way this won't feel like an ending."

"That's a great idea!" Ira nodded enthusiastically. "Maybe we could add a few smaller shows to the mix, so we can get closer to the fans."

"You know I'm up for that," Kate said.

"We're already working on it," Wisanu said, "but the next tour won't start for, well, a while at least. Somebody has a wedding to plan first."

A smile passed between Wisanu and Ying that spoke of shared joy and excitement. Ira shifted slightly, glancing away, feeling a twinge of discomfort. Lately, it seemed like all her siblings had joined a club that singles weren't allowed to enter.

Tan patted Ira on the back. "It's a long line tonight, but it's the last one for a while, so enjoy it."

"I don't mind," Ira told him.

"You used to hate working the line," Kate pointed out, looking amused.

"Yeah, I know. I used to be a brat." Ira wrinkled her nose.

"Used to be?" Kate teased.

"Bite me." Ira stuck out her tongue. It was playful banter now instead of hurt feelings talking, and it warmed her heart to have that sense of closeness with her siblings again.

The line of diehard fans snaked all the way down the hall and out the distant door at the end. They clutched backstage passes, some holding gifts, while others had their phones out, recording every second—even though all they could see was a narrow glimpse of the backstage area and the imposing security team.

The four guards dressed head-to-toe in black at the entrance to the hall looked like they could each bench-press a truck, their stony expressions daring anyone to step out of line.

"Wow, that is an epic line," Kate said, tiptoeing to peek past the guards.

"How long have they been waiting?" Ira asked, glancing back at Tan.

"Just since the last two songs," he assured her. "They've had video screens, so they still got to see everything."

"Good," Ira said with a sigh of relief. Her days of taking all of this—and the fans—for granted were long gone.

She, Kate, and Ying made their way down the line, spending quality time with each fan, knowing they'd given up time and money for this extra special attention. They signed posters, took photos, and shared heartfelt conversations with fans who couldn't stop smiling.

By the time they were done—well over two hours later—Ira's initial adrenaline had settled into a warm hum of tired satisfaction. She stretched her arms above her head, trying to ease the stiffness in her shoulders. "Okay, let's get the party started."

"We need showers first," Ying said with an exasperated smile, running her fingers through her hair. "Besides, the wrap party doesn't start for at least an hour. Maybe longer. They've got to finish tearing everything down first."

"I want to get there early to make sure everything's perfect," Ira said, rubbing her hands together in anticipation. "I can't wait to spring the surprise. I love parties."

"You're kidding. You love parties?" Kate rolled her eyes. "I could've sworn you preferred hiding in dark corners alone with your thoughts."

Ira smirked. "Very funny." She tiptoed, scanning the room. "Where's our coordinator in chief?"

"Over there." Kate pointed toward the back wall, where Tan and Wisanu stood, deep in conversation.

There was something about the way Wisanu leaned in slightly, laughing at something Tan had said, that made Ira pause. For a moment, it felt like they were all intruding on a private moment, one not meant to be interrupted.

Beyond them, Kate's boyfriend, Thanapong "Phong" Anuwat, Thailand's hottest actor turned sought-after director, leaned casually against a crate with a bouquet of flowers in his hands, waiting with quiet patience. Phong made sure to stay out of sight of the fans, but nothing could have kept him from supporting Kate tonight. Ira liked that about him. He always put Kate first.

"Hey, you two go on ahead," Kate said with a small wave. "I'll be there in a few minutes. I need to collect on a bet. Phong thought we'd be done an hour ago."

Kate made her way over to him, her expression shifting from the polished, fan-friendly smile to something softer, more intimate.

It was only a matter of time before Phong popped the question. Ira already knew because he'd asked her to help him pick out the ring.

"Oh for heaven's sake," Ying said with a sigh. "Prigkhing's been caught up by one of the event coordinators again. You go ahead, Ira. I'll catch up in a minute."

Ira watched her sister go, feeling a twinge of loneliness.

She was surrounded by people, yet she stood alone. Everyone else had someone to lean on, something to do, or somewhere to be. Everyone was paired up.

Except her.

It stung. Just a little.

She shook her shoulders, forcing the thought away, and headed down the hall toward the dressing room.

At least she could claim first dibs on the shower.

When Ira opened the door, the sight and scent of dozens of red roses overwhelmed her. An enormous vase full of them sat on her makeup table, completely blocking the mirror.

She stepped closer, inhaling the sweet, intoxicating fragrance. It was a thoughtful gesture, but she knew they weren't meant for her. Phong or Prigkhing must have accidentally put them in the wrong dressing room.

Her eyes caught on a plain white envelope propped against the vase. Her name was written neatly on the front.

Curious, she picked it up and pulled out a folded piece of plain white paper.

Sweet Ira,

You haven't been answering my messages. Why?

They've been keeping them from you, haven't they?

You're surrounded by leeches. They drain your soul. Your light.

I'm sorry to say I'm a little disappointed in you for punching Phong. That's not how a lady behaves, sweetheart. He didn't deserve your anger or your frustration. He's a good man.

I've been so patient. I've been so understanding.

But I suppose I can forgive you. You've been under so much pressure. You're pulled in every direction, and no one sees how tired you are. How alone you are.

But I see you.

I see the sadness in your eyes when you're surrounded by others who don't understand you.

You're aching for something real. Something safe. Something that no one in your life can give you.

The outfits you wear on stage—those flashy, revealing things—scream for attention. The red one you wore last week... too much. I could see the outline of everything underneath. I hate it. You're not meant for others' eyes, Ira. You're meant for me.

Soon, you'll never have to wear those things again.

You've been lost for so long, my love, but I can guide you. Protect you.

I'll show you a better way. A safer way.

Bangkok, with all its noise and filth, isn't good for you. That suite in that high-rise wasn't safe, but you already knew that, didn't you?

The sadness on your face last night at The Grand said everything.

You want more. You want a family.

You want me.

Message received, loud and clear.

You can count on me.

Yours now and always.

Ira sucked in a sharp breath, her stomach twisting as icy fear slid up her spine. The words "I see you" felt like they'd been whispered directly into her ear, as if someone were standing right behind her.

She whirled around, heart hammering. But no one was there.

"Who's in here?" Her voice came out breathy and trembling, not at all the commanding tone she had intended.

She cleared her throat and tried again, louder. "Anybody here?"

The silence was deafening.

Her eyes darted around the room, her pulse quickening as she crept toward the bathroom. Every step felt heavy, as though her feet were wading through wet cement.

She had to check. She had to make sure.

Hand shaking, she pushed the bathroom door open.

The door to the dressing room opened, and Ira jumped, her heart lodged in her throat.

Laughter spilled in, along with Kate, Ying, and Wisanu.

Ira crumpled the paper in her hand instinctively, her first thought to get rid of it before her siblings saw it. They would absolutely freak out. Shifting her stance, she tried to appear casual, hoping they wouldn't notice anything out of the ordinary.

But Ying's gaze found hers the second she walked in, sharp and unerring. There was no way Ira could hide the look on her face. Not from Ying.

"What's wrong?" Ying asked, freezing in the middle of the room.

Kate and Wisanu stepped around her, standing shoulder to shoulder as they looked at Ira with identical expressions of growing concern.

"What happened?" Wisanu asked, his usually calm voice tinged with unease.

"Did someone finish all the snacks again?" Kate quipped, attempting to lighten the mood.

Ira forced a tight smile and gestured vaguely at the flowers. "I guess I have a fan." She tried to keep her tone light, the initial shock having subsided, leaving her feeling a bit foolish for being so jumpy.

"A fan?" Kate raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "What kind of fan?"

"What do you mean, a fan?" Ying's voice pitched higher, tension making it crack slightly.

Before Ira could answer, Kate darted forward and snatched the letter out of her hand. "What's this?"

"Give it back!" Ira lunged for the letter, but Kate held it out of reach, her taller frame making it easy to evade her.

"What does it say?" Wisanu moved closer to peer over Kate's shoulder as she unfolded the crumpled paper.

Kate's expression darkened as she read. "This guy knows where you live. He knows what hotel you're staying at."

"What?" Wisanu grabbed the letter from Kate's hands and scanned it quickly. His face tightened, and he sat heavily on the sofa, one hand covering his mouth.

"Sweet Buddha," Ying whispered, her voice barely audible.

Kate placed a comforting hand on Ying's shoulder but couldn't keep the anger out of her tone. "He didn't even sign it. Coward."

Wisanu looked up at Ira, worry etching deep lines into his forehead. "Do you have any idea who sent this?"

Ira shook her head, shrugging as if that might ease the tightness in her shoulders.

"This is..," Wisanu said, his voice firm.

"What emails?" Kate tapped the letter. "He says you ignored his emails."

"I don't know. Koy handles all that stuff," Ira said, shifting from foot to foot. Why did that make her feel so guilty? "She passes along anything important."

"If the emails were like this, I'm sure she deleted them," Wisanu said. "She wouldn't want to scare you."

"Can I see it?" Ying asked.

Wisanu handed her the letter and started texting furiously. "I'm telling Tan. I want to know how someone managed to get in here past all the security in the hall."

"It's not like the door was locked." Ira could already see this one creepy letter morphing into a major overreaction. She tried her best to pull her siblings back from the edge. "It's just a fan. We've all had someone get a little too enthusiastic before. No need to get all paranoid."

"I'm not paranoid," Wisanu snapped. "It's not paranoia when someone sneaks into your heavily guarded private space and leaves this...this..."

"Enthusiastic isn't the right word," Kate said as she crossed to the door. "Delusional, maybe. Bat-shit crazy, definitely."

"Ira...this isn't a normal fan letter," Ying said slowly, her tone measured but uneasy. "This feels obsessive. He has details about you. Personal details."

"Nothing he couldn't find on the internet," Ira countered, trying to sound casual. "It's just a fantasy. It happens all the time."

"No, it doesn't. Not like this." Kate opened the door. "Maenisa? Can you come take a look at this, please?"

"Oh, come on," Ira protested. "Don't get Maenisa involved. She hates me."

Kate shot her a look. "It's her job to protect us, Ira. All of us." She stepped back to let Maenisa enter.

The woman radiated quiet danger as her gaze swept the room for threats before landing on Ira. Her eyes narrowed in an of-course-it's-you-causing-trouble way. "Look at what?"

Ying handed her the now-crumpled piece of paper.

Maenisa held it as though it were dipped in acid, examining it front and back before actually reading the note.

"It was the last show of the tour," Ira said in what she thought was a perfectly reasonable tone. "We've got a nice, long break coming, so no more dressing rooms will be invaded by dangerous flowers. This isn't a big deal."

"What emails?" Maenisa looked from Kate to Ira.

"She doesn't know," Kate said before Ira could respond. "Koy handles all of that."

"I'm standing right here, you know," Ira said, glaring at her well-meaning but definitely overreacting siblings—and Maenisa.

"He knows what color your underwear is, Ira," Ying said, sinking onto the sofa next to Wisanu as though the mere thought drained all her energy. "How would he know that?"

"He might have been at a concert," Kate pointed out. "The front row can see straight up. That's why I wear pants."

"I don't wear thongs, and I wear shorts under my dresses on stage. You know I wear shorts. It's delusional, like you said." Ira could see her siblings overreacting in slow motion. She'd been looking forward to the wrap party for weeks. She had special gifts for everyone, including the crew, with performance bonuses hidden inside. Now, she could see her grand gesture turning to dust. "There's no need to freak out over a silly fan letter."

"It's not just a letter," Wisanu said firmly. "Whoever wrote this was motivated enough to sneak past a line of people who are paid to keep him out just to make sure you know how he feels."

Ying sucked in a sharp breath, placing a hand on Wisanu's arm. "What if she'd been alone in here when he came in?"

Ira swallowed hard, trying to ignore the way that thought echoed her own earlier fear. "I wasn't."

Tan walked in mid-conversation on his phone, his voice sharp and commanding. "Pull everything. I don't care how long it takes. We need to ID this guy and figure out exactly where the security breach happened so it doesn't happen again."

Smith, the head of security, followed close behind, tablet in hand. His gaze flicked to the vase of flowers, then to Ira, and his lips pressed into a grim line.

Tan hung up and turned to Smith. "What did you find?"

Smith held up the tablet so they could see the video playing on a loop. "We got a guy with flowers coming through the hall about thirty minutes ago, but he kept his head down. No clean shots. Someone's running the ID list now, but I doubt it'll help."

"The ID was probably fake anyway," Maenisa said. She picked up the envelope from the vanity and studied it. "The man with the flowers may simply be a delivery boy, not the author of the letter. Though, the timing is suspicious for it to be anyone else. This took planning and precision. It speaks of someone fast and clever—a dangerous combination."

"Agreed," Smith said with a nod. "He came in when we shifted coverage from the stage to the hallways. The team was repositioning, maybe a five-minute window, tops. He wouldn't have made it in otherwise. We don't let delivery people through after the show starts."

"His goal wasn't to attack," Maenisa said, her tone firm. "At least, not this time."

"Can we track the florist?" Tan asked.

Kate peered at the flowers. "There's no logo on the vase."

"And no imprint on the envelope," Maenisa said, handing the letter and envelope to Tan. "The paper is textured. I doubt it will hold prints."

"He talks like he knows her," Ying said, her voice uneasy.

"Maybe they've met before?" Wisanu suggested, placing a hand over Ying's. "What if it's someone we all know?"

"Hello? Over here." Ira waved a hand, trying to get their attention. Ying and Wisanu glanced at her, but she could tell they weren't really seeing her. "If you're done overanalyzing things, I'd love to get into something less smelly before the party."

"Oh, I don't think we should go," Ying's voice broke slightly, catching Ira's attention. Ying was the calm one. She never panicked. Never. "If he snuck in here, what's to stop him from doing something worse? How do we know he's not waiting for her at the party, or back at the hotel? Or outside, right now?"

"An excellent point," Maenisa said. "We should skip the party, change hotels, and do security sweeps at both locations in case he left any traces."

Smith nodded. "I can handle the sweeps."

"No." Ira resisted the urge to stomp her foot. "We're not skipping the party. We can't. We've waited all year for this, and we need to say goodbye to the crew and give them their bonus. We can't miss it."

"They'll still get their bonus, Ira," Kate said gently. "The party will go on, and the crew will have a great time. But Ying's right. We shouldn't go—or at least, you shouldn't."

"I am not—" Ira's voice cracked, and she cleared her throat. "I'm not missing this party." The idea of being left behind filled her with far more panic than a bunch of flowers and a strange note ever could.

"Ira," Wisanu's voice trembled, something uncharacteristically fragile about his tone. "He could do worse than leave a note next time. He could have a gun, or..." He paused, taking a deep breath, his emotions clearly getting the better of him. "I'm sorry. I know I'm being emotional. I'm... worried. I'm just... really worried."

Tan, standing beside him, placed a steadying hand on Wisanu's shoulder, the gesture both grounding and supportive. "It'll be okay," Tan said, his voice calm and reassuring. "We'll handle this. We'll bring in extra security for all of you."

Ira frowned, her unease growing. Wisanu was the steady one, the one who never lost his composure, and his reaction was out of character. She glanced between him and Tan, noticing the subtle glances they exchanged. "What's going on with you?" Ira asked, her voice softer now, her eyes narrowing. "You don't fall apart in a crisis. You're the one who keeps everyone calm. You usually wait until it's over and then melt. What's happening?"

Kate tilted her head, observing Wisanu carefully. "Yeah, you've been a little off all week. What's up?"

"Is something wrong? Or..." Ying's voice trailed off as her lips formed a small o, realization dawning on her face.

Wisanu glanced at Tan, their eyes meeting in a brief, silent conversation. Tan gave him a slight nod and a reassuring smile, his hand squeezing Wisanu's shoulder gently.

"What? What's going on?" Ira asked, looking between them, her curiosity now tinged with concern.

Kate folded her arms, raising her eyebrows expectantly.

Wisanu sighed, rubbing the back of his neck before letting his hand fall to his side. "Well, we were going to tell you all at the party, but..." He hesitated, his voice softening. "I guess now's as good a time as any."

Tan stepped in, his tone steady but warm. "We're... expecting."

"Expecting?" Ira blinked, her eyes wide.

Wisanu nodded, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Tan and I are having a baby. Through a surrogate." His voice cracked on the last word, but the smile spreading across his face was radiant.

Ira stared at her brother, stunned. She wasn't sure what she'd expected to hear, but it wasn't this.

She should have, she realized. Wisanu was the only parent figure Ira had ever known, but raising a kid sister wasn't the same thing as having a child of your own. They'd all expected Wisanu to be the first one to start a family someday.

Someday, it seemed, was today. Just like that, the world shifted.

Wisanu had gone from being Ira's big brother to someone else's father.

Ying threw her arms around Wisanu and Tan. "Oh my God! I knew it! I just knew it! Congratulations! This is so fantastic! You're going to be amazing dads. I can't wait. How far along is the surrogate? Should we postpone the wedding?"

"She's just three months in," Wisanu said with a happy, tear-filled laugh. "The baby isn't due until after the wedding."

"This is so cool!" Kate squeezed onto the couch next to Wisanu and Tan. The three of them were a jumble of arms, giggles, and squeals.

"Congratulations," Maenisa said. She offered a rare smile that softened her sharp features, making her seem a little more approachable than usual.

Was it Ira's imagination, or did Tan stand a little taller when Smith shook his hand and clapped him on the back?

Tan's gaze fell on Wisanu, and the look they exchanged was so full of joy it made Ira's chest ache.

Once again, for a fraction of a second, Ira felt like she was on the outside looking in at something she couldn't quite reach. It was stupid, she knew that, but she couldn't stop the stab of jealousy or the uncertainty that followed.

She was happy for Wisanu and Tan. Her brother finally had what he'd always wanted.

So why did this news also make her feel sad? It didn't make any sense.

Ira shook off her ridiculous reaction and rushed forward to wiggle her way in, half on Kate's lap and half leaning against Wisanu. She wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed, hard. If a tear escaped, well... happy tears were a thing. Right? "I'm going to plan the most amazing baby shower ever."

Soon, all of them were crying, laughing, and talking all at once, just like they used to do as kids. It eased the irrational what-about-me panic bubbling in Ira's chest.

There was no reason to envy the way everyone else seemed to be moving forward while she felt stuck. No reason at all. Her life was good. Great, even.

"We need to celebrate. Let's get out of here," Ira suggested finally. "I want to raise a toast to my future niece or nephew."

"Right," Kate said with a grin. "Future niece or nephew."

Ira grabbed Wisanu's hands and pulled him off the couch. "Come on, let's head to the wrap party!"

Maenisa cleared her throat. "I hate to be the party popper, but we still have Ira's stalker to deal with."

Ira glared at her, exasperated. "It's pooper, not popper, and we don't need to worry about that right now. We have more important things to celebrate."

Wisanu squeezed Ira's hand, his expression apologetic but firm. "No, we don't. I can't relax knowing someone might be after you. We have plenty of time to celebrate before and after the baby gets here, Ira. But this? This needs to be dealt with."

"I think we should definitely push back the wedding," Ying said. "This whole situation with Ira needs to be sorted first. And honestly, I'd rather wait until the baby can be there too."

Tan looked at Smith. "How's your schedule for the next couple of months?"

"Months?" Ira tried hard to keep the panic out of her voice. She could feel isolation looming, a forced quarantine with no set expiration date, and the thought was enough to make her chest tighten.

Smith tapped on his tablet. "We're pretty booked with that Sirisopa tour. I could spare a couple of people, maybe, if they coordinated with Ira's personal security, but we might need to bring in a few contractors."

"Wait a second." Ira's frustration bubbled over. They were arranging her life for her without even asking. "I have plans for the break, you know, and they don't include being surrounded by an army of bodyguards."

"Do your plans include being kidnapped?" Maenisa asked, her tone dripping with you're-an-idiot contempt.

"It probably won't take that long to lock this down," Tan said, his voice calm. "But we need to be prepared."

"Nene will be back on Monday," Ira said. "She's more than capable of keeping one overzealous fan away."

"If she's so capable, why is she not here right now?" Maenisa asked, crossing her arms and fixing Ira with a pointed look.

"I gave her the weekend off," Ira snapped, meeting Maenisa's challenging gaze head-on. "After all, there should have been plenty of security here."

Tan raised a hand to defuse the tension. "Let's not point fingers. What matters is ensuring everyone's safety moving forward. If it takes a couple of months to fully address this, we'll make it work."

Ira exhaled sharply, knowing she wouldn't win this battle. "Fine. But don't expect me to be happy about it."

Kate put a restraining hand on Maenisa's arm. "I know this is frustrating, but there's no need to get pissy."

"I'm not getting pissy. I'm just... frustrated." Ira tried her best to sound reasonable and firm, but she was worried it came out petulant. They kept treating her like the child she used to be instead of the woman she was now. "I know where this is headed. Remember the last time we had a stalker? We holed up in that hotel in backwoods Thailand forever!"

"You make it sound like it was a decade," Kate said. "It was only a couple of weeks, and it wasn't backwoods. It was Chiang Rai."

"We were nowhere near a beach or anything else remotely interesting," Ira said. "And it turned out to be a fourteen-year-old kid who sent that letter on a dare from his friends. It was nothing."

"Yeah, but the guy before that actually climbed over the compound walls to get to my house, remember?" Kate said. "He's still in jail, I think."

"He didn't even get inside, and all he wanted was to meet you," Ira pointed out. "He was harmless."

"What about the guy who camped out on my apartment balcony?" Ying asked. "If he even caught a glimpse of me, he started singing loud enough to wake the entire building. I was trapped in my own home for weeks until his family finally took him to therapy."

"It was creepy, but it wasn't exactly dangerous," Ira said, her voice calm but firm. She could tell her arguments were falling on deaf ears. "The poor guy just needed some mental help. Which he got. He never came back, did he?"

"It makes sense to take some extra precautions until we know exactly who we're dealing with," Tan said, his deep, steady tone reminding her of their father's no-arguments-allowed demeanor when setting curfews.

"Come on, Ira, it's not like you live in a secure condo building in Bangkok anymore," Kate pointed out.

"No," Ira said as patiently as she could manage, "but the hotel I'm staying in right now is perfectly safe."

"I can think of a dozen ways someone could sneak into that hotel," Maenisa said, her expression sharp.

"Not helpful," Kate muttered.

"She's right," Smith chimed in. "If someone wanted to get to her, the hotel's probably the best place for him to try. Too many moving parts, too many access points."

"It's not like I'm alone at the hotel," Ira pointed out. "Nene's there. Nobody's going to try anything with her next door."

"This will require more than just one meat shield," Maenisa said, her tone laced with disdain. Somehow, she managed to pack everything she thought about Ira, her personal security, and the entire situation into one soft, derisive huff.

"Nene's not a meat shield," Ira snapped. "Don't talk about her like that. She's my friend."

"That is the problem," Maenisa said. "She is so wrapped around your little thumb that she'll be no good for this." She turned to Kate. "We need someone who will tell her no, not yes."

Kate nodded, looking thoughtful. "It's not a bad idea to bring in extra help. At least until we get this sorted."

Ira opened her mouth to protest, but Tan cut her off. "Nene's good. Nobody's saying she isn't. She'd take a bullet for you, no question. But it can't hurt to have some extra eyes on the problem. The question is, who?"

"I suggest you hire someone who specializes in close-contact personal protection," Maenisa said. "Someone with a background in investigation and strategic planning."

"Do we know anyone like that?" Ying asked.

"I do." Maenisa pulled out her phone and tapped on it. "Her name is Tawan Liang. I'm sending you her contact information now."

"You trust her?" Wisanu asked, raising an eyebrow.

"If I needed personal protection, she's who I would call," Maenisa said, her voice leaving no room for argument.

Ira watched the ripple of decision and approval travel through the room.

"Hey. Hello." Ira waved her hand. "Still here."

"Ira," Tan said firmly. "People like this don't usually stop at one letter. He's escalating. We're not going to ignore this."

"His next target might be one of your siblings," Maenisa added, her gaze piercing. "You must think of someone other than yourself."

The "for a change" hung unspoken in the air, along with a healthy dose of disapproval.

Ira bristled at once again feeling like the selfish one in the family, but dammit, wasn't it her life?

Except it wasn't.

It was Kate's, Ying's, Wisanu's, and now... the baby's. Her future niece or nephew.

Ira took in a deep breath and held it, forcing herself to stay calm. She didn't want to be the cause of yet another family argument. Slowly, she let the breath out, deliberate and steady.

"Ira." Ying stood from the couch and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Aren't you scared? Just a little?"

Kate moved to stand in front of her, wearing the same determined expression she'd used since they were kids to get Ira to do things she didn't want to, like cleaning up after dinner. "What's so horrible about contacting this Tawan Liang and asking her to do a risk assessment? In the meantime, you can move out of that hotel and stay at my place. The security was set up by Maenisa, so you know it's solid."

Kate's suggestion sounded perfectly reasonable and logical—not at all heavy-handed—which made Ira want to dig her heels in even more.

"Please, Ira?" Wisanu's voice was so soft, so full of quiet worry, that it hit Ira harder than any shouting could have. "Please let us keep you safe?"

"Oh, come on," Ira said, swallowing hard and trying to avoid their gazes. "That's not fair. You're about to be dads and you're using the baby against me."

Wisanu sniffed, though the smallest of smiles tugged at his lips.

Kate's eyes glinted with determination.

Ying's expression had gone blank, the look she only got when she was deeply upset but keeping it together.

They were surrounding her, her family, trying to protect her whether she wanted it or not.

This was what family did. They had your back, even when you didn't think you needed it. It was what she loved most about them, even if it was a royal pain sometimes.

"Fine," Ira said, drawing the word out longer than necessary. "Let's give her a call. But we're setting up a live stream into the party so I can still thank everyone in real time. Then we can go to Kate's place to toast the baby."

As people came in to set up the equipment for the live stream, Ira made her way to the shower.

In the quiet, with the hot water cascading over her, a line from the letter twisted around in her head.

I see how alone you are.

She wasn't alone.

Whoever wrote that letter was dead wrong. She wasn't alone, and she wasn't lonely.

The image of Wisanu and Tan sharing that glowing, we-have-a-secret smile flashed unbidden into her mind.

She was surrounded by people most of the time, but... she didn't have that.

All she had was a stalker.

A shiver crawled up and down her spine, despite the hot water.