Ethan Adler took the soft, faintly scented tissue and wiped it messily across his face, trying to dry his tears.
The path forward—the very idea was both tempting and crushingly heavy for him.
For the past few years, his life had been scheduled to the brim by Starlight Media. Which shows to film, which programs to appear on, which drinking parties to attend, which gigs as a male model to take—it was all controlled by James Lynn.
He never had the right to choose for himself.
Now, he was finally free.
But now that he was free, where was he supposed to go? What was he supposed to do?
He didn't even know if he had any real, recognizable value beyond his face and body.
"I…" He opened his mouth, his voice raspy and thick with confusion and helplessness. "Valentine… I-I don't know… what else I can do…"
Annelise Valentine turned her head and looked at his downcast profile, a picture of helplessness, and his faintly trembling eyelashes. She was silent for a few seconds.
