“I don’t care,” Harlow snapped. “None of this would have worked without Stella. She knew there was more than one ending. She decided to let Luna win. You can’t cut her out.”

“You still talk too much, even after all this time,” Stella said fondly.

“That was a choice she made, and as you’ve learned choices have consequences,” Jewel said, and then looked at Stella. “It ends here for you.”

“That’s fine. I’m leaving with exactly what I want,” Stella said.

“And what’s that?”

“The bald cat, of course.” Stella grinned. “You’re going to give him to me.”

PARENTHETICALS

Jewel had really outdone herself.

Brunch had been served in a massive golden ballroom for everyone—staff and security included. The theme, of course, was Graduation.

Tables with elaborate floral centerpieces and chairs had been set up on one side, enough brunchy foods to feed a small army on the other, and in the center, the dance floor was already in use. The DJ played an interesting mix of music—some old, some new, and some things Stella had never heard that would make her parents lose their minds if they knew she was listening to them. Opulent velvet curtains bordered the windows and sunlight streamed in, creating dazzling prismatic patterns with the crystal chandeliers.

“I still owe you an interview,” Jewel said, sitting with Stella at her empty table.

Truth be told, Stella wanted to be alone. She had gone from severe isolation to spending every waking hour for over forty-eight hours with strangers who became so much more. Surprisingly, she’d had her fill of people for now. It wouldn’t last, most likely, but she just really needed a little break.

Stella asked, “Can I have a rain check? I’m decompressing.” Even her brain felt tired—a wholly new experience for her.

“No,” Jewel said. “Why did you let Luna win? You had everything. Why did you give it away?”

Stella sighed theatrically. She let Luna win because that’s what big sisters did. “The game meant more to her than it did to me. I got the ending I wanted.”

Jewel narrowed her eyes. “You did all that just to prove you’re better than me? Better than everyone? Really?”

“Yes,” she said. It was true. She’d outsmarted the Gamemaster, but she never would have pulled it off without the others. Her people. Her friends and her sisters—that was the ending she wanted and risked everything for. Maybe Jewel was rubbing off on her—maybe she liked it when people thought the worst of her after all.

“At least you’re honest about it.”

“Why did you do it?” Stella decided to throw the question back at her. “People like you don’t just wake up and decide it’s time to go Full Wonka. What really happened? I genuinely want to know.”

“That, actually.” Jewel laughed. “It was time to send the torch back down.”