Song for this chapter: Astrid S - It's Ok If You Forget Me on the multimedia.

_________

Nat

As I settled into my seat on the flight from L.A. to New York City, I tried to calm the nervous flutter in my stomach. The lie I'd told Linc about Juls being Ivy's father was weighing heavily on me. I knew I had to come clean to Sign, but the thought of confronting her in person made my anxiety spike. Still, I was determined to sort things out. Escaping the press tours and taking this flight felt like a small rebellion against the chaos of my current life.

To avoid being recognized, I'd opted for a casual outfit—a simple hoodie, jeans, and a baseball cap pulled low over my face. I hoped it would be enough to keep the fans and paparazzi at bay. As I settled into my seat and pulled out my phone to review my notes on how I was going to approach Sign, I heard the distinctive sound of a familiar voice.

Turning slightly, I saw Travis, Linc's manager, making his way down the aisle. He was hard to miss with his striking presence—tall, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, with sharp, chiseled features that seemed almost too perfect. His ash-blond hair was styled effortlessly, complementing the piercing, serious expression in his steely blue eyes. Travis always had this composed air about him, like someone who could handle anything thrown his way without so much as breaking a sweat.

He was scanning the overhead compartments and then, with a slight frown, approached the empty seat next to me. My heart skipped a beat. What were the chances of running into him here?

"Hey, Nat," Travis said as he sat down beside me. His voice was smooth, with a casual confidence that made it clear he wasn't fazed by much. He seemed a bit surprised to see me, but not overly curious. "Fancy meeting you here."

I offered him a tight smile, trying to keep my face neutral. "Hey, Trav. Didn't expect to see you on this flight."

He nodded, pulling out his laptop and starting to set up. "Yeah, I'm heading to Manhattan for a bit of business. And you?"

"I'm heading there for a... personal matter," I said carefully, avoiding his gaze. I was hoping he wouldn't press for details.

Travis raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable, but didn't pursue it further. Instead, he opened his laptop and began typing away, already engrossed in his work. I took a deep breath, trying to focus on the upcoming conversation with Sign. I needed to get it right, but sitting next to Travis—so composed and focused—only heightened my anxiety.

As the plane took off, I looked out the window, the cityscape of L.A. gradually shrinking into the distance. It was strange to be flying away from everything, almost like I was running from the responsibilities and the turmoil I'd left behind.

Travis glanced over at me. "You okay? You seem a bit on edge."

I forced a laugh. "Just a lot on my mind, you know? Traveling always makes me a bit jittery."

He nodded sympathetically. "I get that. Long flights can be a hassle."

We fell into a comfortable silence as the plane climbed higher. I used the time to mentally prepare for what I needed to say to Sign. I was determined to be honest with her, no matter how awkward or difficult it might be. It was the right thing to do, and I knew I couldn't avoid it forever.

The flight continued, and Travis was engrossed in his work while I reviewed my notes. Despite the turbulence of my thoughts and the discomfort of the situation, there was a strange sense of calm knowing that I was finally taking action to make things right.

As the plane began its descent into New York City, I felt a mix of relief and apprehension. This was it. Time to face the truth and hope for the best.

When I finally arrived in front of Sign's house, my nerves were on edge. I had only managed to pinpoint its location because the media frenzy had plastered it all over the news. The street was eerily quiet now—no flashing cameras or intrusive reporters, just a late afternoon calm.

Just as I was about to ring the buzzer, I noticed a familiar face. Travis was standing a few steps away, looking as surprised to see me as I was to see him. He gave me a questioning look as he approached.

"Nat?" he said, clearly caught off guard. "What are you doing here?"

I shrugged, trying to play it casual. "I came to talk to Sign. Looks like we're both on the same mission."

Travis raised an eyebrow, but before he could respond, I noticed the absence of media presence. The quiet seemed almost too calm after the chaos of the news coverage. We tried knocking on the door, hoping someone would answer, but there was no response.

Frustration mounted as I glanced at my phone. I decided to call Juls, hoping he might have a lead on where Sign could be. The call rang a few times before Juls answered.

"Hey, Nat. What's up?" Juls' voice was a welcome distraction from the growing tension.

"Juls, I'm outside Sign's place, but no one's answering the door. Do you know where she might be?"

There was a brief pause on the other end before Juls responded. "She's actually at my apartment. She and Ivy are staying here for the day. You should come over."

Relief washed over me. "Thanks, Juls. I'll head there now."

I hung up and turned to Travis, who was watching me with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Looks like Sign's at Juls' place. I'm heading over there now. Do you want to join?"

Travis nodded. "Sure, I'm coming with you."

***

As we stood in front of Juls' unit, I couldn't help but wonder about the reason behind Trav's visit. Last time, at the team meeting, his animosity toward Sign had been palpable. It seemed like he carried a grudge, especially when it came to Linc.

The door swung open, and Sign stood there, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw Travis. Her expression shifted from confusion to unease as she glanced between Travis and me.

"Trav?" Sign said, her voice tinged with apprehension. "What are you doing here?"

Travis nodded curtly. "Long time no see, Sign. As much as I'd like to keep it that way, I needed to see you because of everything going on right now."

Sign looked down for a moment, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. I could sense her struggle to muster confidence in the face of this unexpected confrontation.

Before the tension could escalate further, I stepped forward. "Sign, I'm here because I need to talk to you about something important. It's about Linc and the situation with the media."

Sign's gaze shifted to me, and she nodded, stepping aside to let us in. Travis and I followed her into the apartment, the atmosphere charged with the weight of unresolved issues and the urgency of the situation.

As we settled into the living room, I could see that Sign was trying to regain her composure. I could only hope that our conversations today would bring some clarity and resolution to the tangled mess that had become their lives.

When I stepped into the apartment, Juls was the first to notice me. His face lit up with a mixture of surprise and relief as he saw me. Without a word, he walked over and enveloped me in a warm hug. I held him tightly, feeling a rush of comfort from his presence.

"Nat, you actually came," Juls said, his voice muffled slightly by the embrace. "I'm so glad you're here."

I pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze with a smile. "I couldn't stay away. I had to come."

Before I could say more, Travis walked in, his demeanor as cold and distant as ever. "This is Travis, Linc's manager," I introduced quickly, trying to keep things moving smoothly.

Juls gave Travis a polite nod, though his eyes held a hint of caution. "Nice to meet you, Travis."

Travis barely acknowledged Juls, his focus on Sign, who stood nearby looking uneasy. I guess Ivy was in the bedroom because I couldn't see her, thankfully she's shielded from the tense exchange.

Sign took a deep breath and began, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry for everything, Travis. I know this all started when I met Linc at the restaurant in Vegas."

Travis's expression turned scornful. "Save it, Sign. I'm not here for your apologies. It's not news to me that you've been nothing but trouble for Linc, even from the start."

Sign flinched at the harshness in his voice. She opened her mouth to respond, but Travis cut her off sharply. "You've always been a complication in Linc's life. You've been causing problems for him for years. Why would today be any different?"

Juls and I exchanged confused glances, struggling to piece together what Travis was alluding to.

Juls's voice held a note of frustration. "What are you talking about? What's this history you're referring to?"

Travis glared at Sign, his irritation palpable. "It's obvious, isn't it? From the moment you entered Linc's life, you've created chaos. And now, look where we are. It's always the same with you."

Sign's face went pale, her shoulders sagging under the weight of Travis' words. The tension in the room was thick, and it was clear that the past had left deep scars that were now coming to light.

As the conversation unfolded, I found myself grappling with a growing sense of disbelief. Sign's voice wavered with emotion as she defended herself. "You know all I ever wanted was the best for Linc. Everything I did was to protect him."

Travis' expression was icy, his voice dripping with contempt. "Is that what you think? Because that's not how I remember it. You haven't changed at all. You're still the same trouble you were years ago. Always bad news for Linc's career."

Sign's frustration was evident. "That's not true, Travis. You know I had to keep Ivy from him because that's what was best for him. I didn't want to complicate his life."

The revelation hit me like a lightning bolt. Ivy? Travis knew about Ivy all this time? My heart raced as I processed the shock. I couldn't believe that Travis had kept this from Linc. The thought that Linc had been kept in the dark about his own child for so long, and that Travis had known, was overwhelming. The room felt charged with the weight of unspoken truths and unresolved tensions. I was caught between the need to confront this new layer of deception and the desire to support Sign, who looked more vulnerable than ever.

I took a deep breath, feeling a surge of determination. It was time to face the truth. I could no longer keep the lie hidden, not with everything unraveling around us.

"Sign," I said, my voice cutting through the charged atmosphere, "there's something I need to tell you. I lied to Linc about Juls being Ivy's father. I said it to protect your secret, but now it's clear that we need to face the truth."

Sign's eyes widened in shock, and she turned to me, her face a mix of confusion and betrayal. "What do you mean?"

"I told Linc that Juls was Ivy's father," I continued, feeling a knot in my stomach tighten. "I did it because I thought it was the best way to keep Linc from finding out about Ivy. But now, with everything that's happened, it's clear that we need to address this directly. Linc deserves to know the truth."

Travis' gaze shifted to me, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. I could sense the weight of my admission settling over the room. Sign looked pale, her shoulders slumping as she absorbed the gravity of what I'd just revealed.

I felt a mix of relief and anxiety, knowing that I had to confront the repercussions of my actions. There was no turning back now.

"It's a good thing you lied," Travis said, his tone almost condescending. "Now, here's the plan. Juls and Sign should pretend to be a happy couple with Ivy. That way, the media will believe that Juls is Ivy's father and Sign's partner, which will deflect attention from Linc and protect Nat's career."

I was taken aback by Travis' suggestion. It was as if he was laying out a chessboard with moves that seemed both outrageous and cruel. I couldn't believe my ears.

I stared at him, incredulous. "That's ridiculous. Juls and I have always been open about our relationship. How could anyone believe that now?"

Travis' smirk didn't waver. "Your relationship is tainted in the public's eye. Juls needs to take the fall for this. He'll be seen as Ivy's father, and you, Nat, can claim that you were unaware of Sign and Ivy. That way, you can salvage your career. Sign will have to take the fall as well, making it look like she kept Linc in the dark about Juls and Ivy."

The absurdity of it all hit me. "You want them to fake a relationship just to save face? And you want Sign to play along with this charade?"

Travis nodded, his expression resolute. "Exactly. It's the only way to control the narrative now. If Sign and Juls go out together and present themselves as a family, it will divert attention from the real issues and protect Linc and Nat's careers."

I looked at Sign, who was clearly struggling with the idea. Her face was a mask of worry and disbelief. I felt a pang of guilt for dragging her into this mess, but I also knew that we were running out of options.

Sign finally spoke, her voice trembling. "And what about Linc? What happens to him if we go through with this?"

Travis's response was cold and pragmatic. "Linc will have to deal with the fallout, but this is the best solution for everyone else involved. If you want to save Linc and Nat's careers, this is what needs to be done."

I could see the anguish in Sign's eyes, and I knew we were all caught in a tangled web of deceit and desperation. The solution wasn't perfect, and it left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I understood the stakes.

I watched as Sign took a deep breath, her eyes showing a mix of resignation and determination. After a moment of silence, she finally nodded. "Alright, I'll do it."

Juls, who had been quiet throughout most of the conversation, finally spoke up. His voice was steady and filled with resolve. "Whatever Sign wants to do, I'll do it too. If this is what it takes to fix things and clear up the mess, then I'm in."

I could see the relief in Trav's face; it was clear he saw their agreement as a victory. I, however, still felt uneasy. The reality of what we were about to do settled heavily on me. My gaze shifted between Sign and Juls, trying to process the situation and what it meant for everyone involved.

"Thank you," Travis said, his tone slightly softer now. "This will help mitigate the damage and get us back on track. I'll handle the media, and we'll make sure the narrative is clear."

As I listened, I couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort. We were all stepping into a new, complex phase, driven by necessity and the hope that things would eventually settle. It was a strange blend of relief and trepidation, knowing that our actions would shape the way forward.