Chapter 4 Entering the Spotlight House
The black SUV dropped them off in front of a sleek modern mansion just as the sun was going down. Cameras were already waiting, mounted on the walls, tucked into the landscaping, one even hanging from the overhang above the front door like it was daring them to step inside.
Nova climbed out first, arms wrapped around herself like she could hold her anger in. Kael followed, duffel bag slung over his shoulder, jaw tight.
A producer with a clipboard met them at the entrance. “Welcome to the Spotlight House. Phones off, bags checked, and remember everything is live or recorded. No off-camera zones except the designated bathroom stalls. Let’s get you settled.”
They barely had time to drop their bags in the foyer before the producer pointed them down a long hallway. “Your room is at the end. Shared. Good luck.”
Nova stopped walking. “Shared?”
“House rules,” the producer said with a tight smile. “All couples share. Cameras everywhere except the bathrooms. Try to look like you don’t hate each other.”
She didn’t answer. She just walked.
The bedroom was bigger than Kael expected, king bed, two nightstands, a couch in the corner, and at least four visible cameras pointed at different angles. The red recording lights glowed like tiny eyes.
The second the door clicked shut behind them, Nova turned on him.
“Tell me what really happened with Sienna.”
Her voice was low but sharp, the kind of quiet that felt louder than shouting. She stood between him and the door, eyes locked on his face like she could force the truth out if she stared hard enough.
Kael set his bag down slowly. “I already told you in the conference room.”
“No. You gave me the short version for the suits. Now it’s just us.” She took one step closer. “Did you put something in her drink?”
“No.”
“Did you touch her?”
“No.”
“Then why were you carrying her like that?” Her voice cracked on the last word, but she caught it fast. “And why won’t you say anything? People are calling you a predator, Kael. My best friend is in the hospital because of whatever happened at that party, and you’re just… silent.”
Kael looked at her for a long second. The exhaustion in her eyes, the way her hands were clenched at her sides like she was holding herself back from shaking him. He almost told her everything right then, the shady teammate, the way Sienna had looked scared even before she started fading, the feeling that something bigger was wrong.
His mouth opened.
Then he stopped.
“If I tell the truth,” he said quietly, “it won’t just ruin me. It’ll ruin her too.”
Nova stared at him, breathing hard. “What does that even mean?”
He didn’t answer. Couldn’t.
She let out a bitter laugh that didn’t sound like a laugh at all. “You’re unbelievable. My best friend gets hurt, your stupid hockey program is falling apart, and instead of fixing it you drag me into this fake circus so you can keep your scholarship? My internship, my chance to actually find out what happened to my brother, all of it on the line because of you.”
Kael’s shoulders dropped a fraction. For the first time since the party, his voice softened, almost pleading. “I know you hate me. I get it. But my mom… she’s barely keeping the lights on. If I lose the scholarship, we lose the apartment. Everything. I’m not asking you to like me. I’m asking you to pretend. Just enough so they don’t take it all away from her.”
Nova looked away, jaw working. The silence stretched between them, thick and uncomfortable. She rubbed her arms like she was cold, even though the room wasn’t.
A sharp knock on the door made them both flinch.
“Ten minutes until group intro!” a voice called from the hallway.
Nova exhaled through her nose. She didn’t look at him when she spoke again. “Fine. We pretend. But the second this is over, I’m done with you.”
Kael nodded once. “Deal.”
They stepped out of the room together, shoulders brushing in the narrow hallway. The second they entered the main living area, the other contestants turned to stare. Seven other couples, all sizing them up like fresh meat.
One guy, tall, blond, cocky smile, leaned against the kitchen island with his arms crossed. His eyes flicked over Nova, then landed on Kael with clear amusement.
Before anyone could say anything, the guy held up his phone, grinning.
“Hey everyone, look what just hit the group chat.”
He turned the screen around.
It was an old photo from last semester. Kael at another party, red cup in hand, arm slung around two teammates, laughing. The caption underneath read: Guess the golden boy wasn’t so golden after all.
The comments were already pouring in under the shared post.
Nova’s shoulders stiffened beside him.
The approval rating on the big wall screen — which had been hovering around eleven percent since the announcement dropped sharply. A warning banner flashed across it in red:
Penalty Triggered: First Warning Issued. Improve authenticity or face consequences.
The blond guy smirked. “Welcome to the house, Voss. Try not to drag your new girlfriend down with you.”
Kael felt Nova go rigid next to him. The air in the room shifted, heavier now, every camera suddenly feeling ten times more obvious.
And just like that, the game had already begun.
