The morning after Midnight Reverie dropped, the city felt different.
Quieter. Heavier.
Lian stood in front of his apartment window, staring at the sunrise that was too bright for how little he'd slept.
His phone buzzed every few seconds — messages, mentions, missed calls.
The world had heard their song.
He didn't even need to check the charts.
He already knew.
When he finally unlocked his phone, his notifications were an avalanche:
> #MidnightReverie hits #1 in 17 countries!
Lian breaks silence — independent release shocks industry!
Who is Rian Vale's secret partner?
And then the ones that stung:
> "Betrayal of contract."
"Disrespect to his management."
"A reckless act of rebellion."
Lian turned the screen off and pressed his forehead against the cold glass.
Freedom had a sound.
It also had a price.
---
By the time he reached Vale Studio, reporters were already swarming outside the alley.
