Accidentally yours.

Pearl remained by the window long after the ripple of morning light had shifted across the floor, her gaze fixed on nothing and everything, as if hoping the city beyond the glass could offer answers she couldn't find within herself.

With a quiet sigh, she turned away and padded slowly to the couch, the same spot where she had been sitting since dawn broke over Montelucia. The cold cup of coffee still sat on the table, untouched and forgotten, a small testament to how little had changed since the morning began.

She'd muted every notification, turned off the TV, and tossed her phone on the couch across the room. Yet the tension in her chest remained a lingering weight.

A sharp knock interrupted the heavy silence.

Pearl blinked.

The knock came again, this time firmer, and urgent.

She slowly rose to her feet, dread curling in her stomach. She wasn't expecting anyone. And no one had called to say they were coming.

When she opened the door, her heart nearly stopped.

"Elijah?"

Her younger brother stood in the hallway, backpack slung over one shoulder, baseball cap pulled low over his forehead. His face was tight, eyes stormy.

"Hi," he said curtly, brushing past her without waiting for an invitation.

She shut the door slowly, still stunned. "What… what are you doing here?"

He dropped his bag by the couch and turned to face her. "Seriously, Pearl? That's your question?"

She stepped back, swallowing hard. "I just wasn't expecting you."

He gave a bitter laugh. "Yeah? Well, I wasn't expecting to wake up and find out that my sister is engaged to Montelucia's golden billionaire."

"Elijah, it's not—"

"What the hell is going on?" he cut her off. "I had to find out through some random post online. Pearl, the internet is on fire. Your face is everywhere. Do you even understand what that means?"

Pearl shook her head. "No. Nothing like that."

She flinched. "I didn't ask for this."

"No? Because it really looks like you did. From the photos, you two looked pretty cozy. Don't lie to me, Pearl."

"I'm not lying to you!" she snapped, then took a breath and softened. "It's just… complicated."

"Then uncomplicate it for me," he demanded, stepping closer. "Tell me what's going on. Are you being forced? Is he blackmailing you?"

"No Elijah" She said immediately.

"Then explain it. Because I know you, Pearl. You don't just fall in love and jump into an engagement overnight. That's not you."

"I didn't say I was in love," she murmured.

He stared at her, brows furrowed. "So... you don't love him?"

Pearl hesitated.

The silence between them stretched, thick and heavy. She looked away, eyes drifting to the window where Montelucia City buzzed beneath the rising sun. "I don't hate him," she said quietly.

"That's not an answer."

Her jaw clenched, and she forced a small laugh. "When have things with me ever been simple?"

Elijah's voice softened. "Pearl... just be real with me. I'm not going to judge. I just want to know you're okay."

She looked at him then, and something about her expression made him still. Her eyes were tired, not just from sleepless nights, but from carrying too much.

"I'm okay," she said. "Or at least I will be."

"But you didn't answer me," he pressed. "Why him? Why now?"

Pearl stood, pacing toward the window. "Because the world thinks we're together. Because... After what happened that night at the rooftop party, the press spun the story so fast there was no stopping it. And Richard—" she stopped and sighed, "—he made a decision. One that kept both of us from being dragged further into scandal."

Elijah's voice dropped, hard and accusing. "And you said yes?"

"It's not that simple Elijah".

"Then explain it to me!" he shouted. "Because it sounds like you're letting him drag you into something dangerous. Or worse... Are you doing this for the money?."

Pearl looked up sharply, stunned. "What?"

"I mean it. Are you doing this because you're broke? Because of me? Because you're still trying to look out for me?" His voice cracked slightly. "You don't have to ruin your life for my sake."

"Elijah—"

"—then stop. I'm serious, Pearl. Don't throw yourself into some media circus because you think I still need saving. I'm fine now. ."You don't have to keep worrying about me. And if this, whatever this is, is your way of trying to fix things for us financially, don't. I've got it."

"That's not what this is." pearl said now feeling teary

"You sure?" he demanded. "Because it smells like desperation."

She stepped forward, her voice stronger now. "I'm not desperate. I'm just… caught in something that got way out of hand."

Elijah stared at her, his jaw clenched.

She gave a weak smile. "This isn't forever. It'll pass. I promise. It's just for a while.

"I don't just want you worrying about me all the time."

"I may be the younger sibling, but I'm still your brother, so let me worry about you okay?"

Then he let out a frustrated sigh and turned toward his bag. "I should go."

"What?" she asked, stepping toward him. "You just got here."

"I came to check on you. That's all. I didn't come to stay long."

"Will you at least let me make you something to eat?" she asked gently.

He shook his head. "No. I'm heading back to school now.

"Elijah…"

He looked at her again, eyes a little softer now. "Just promise me something."

"What?"

"If anything happens, anything at all, you call me. I don't care if it's day or night or finals week. I'll come to you."

Pearl's throat tightened as she nodded slowly. "Okay. I promise."

He stepped forward and pulled her into a tight hug. "I love you, sis."

"I love you too."