I took a deep breath and grasped Anissa's hands. "Ani, calm down. Let's talk about this."
But she shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "You're hiding something from me, Dahlia. I can feel it."
I knew I had to tell her the truth, but not now. Not when emotions were running high.
"Anissa, please trust me. I'll explain everything later, I promise."
Anissa's eyes filled with concern. "Dahlia, I'm worried about you. You're my sister, my best friend."
I smiled weakly. "I know, Ani. And I appreciate that."
I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed Clyde's number.
"Hey, Moon," he answered, his voice soothing. "What's wrong?"
I didn't know when I burst out crying. Clyde's concern was palpable, even through the phone.
"Dahlia, where are you? I'm coming over."
"No, no, it's okay," I sniffled. "I just...the media's going crazy."
"I'm on my way," he insisted.
I took a few deep breaths, trying to compose myself.
"Okay," I whispered.
Clyde arrived 20 minutes later. I had managed to calm down slightly, having put on my favorite dress and moon necklace.
When I opened the door, Clyde's expression softened. He enveloped me in a warm hug.
"Shh, Moon, I'm here," he whispered. "Everything will be okay."
Anissa stood in the doorway, her eyes filled with worry.
"Clyde, what's going on?" she asked gently.
Clyde's grip on me tightened. He glanced at Anissa, his expression neutral.
"Anissa, I think it's best if you let Dahlia and me handle this," he said.
Anissa nodded, her face etched with concern.
"Dahlia, I'm here for you, no matter what," she said.
I smiled weakly.
"Thanks, Ani."
Clyde guided me out the door, his arm wrapped protectively around me.
As we walked away, Anissa called out.
"Dahlia, be careful."
Clyde's expression softened.
"Don't worry, Anissa. I'll take care of her."
We drove to his penthouse, the city lights blurring together.
"What happened?" Clyde asked gently.
I took a deep breath and told him everything.
Clyde's expression darkened.
"I'll handle the media," he promised. "No one will hurt you."
I smiled weakly.
"Thank you, Clyde."
He smiled back.
"For you, Moon, anything."
Clyde's press conference was seamless. He expertly deflected questions about his personal life.
Afterward, we returned to his penthouse.
"You were amazing," I praised.
Clyde smiled.
"For you, Moon, anything."
My mind wandered to Anissa, my sister and Clyde's wife.
"Clyde, what must Anissa be thinking?" I worried.
Clyde's expression turned cold.
"I don't care."
But I knew Anissa's pain went deeper.
"Clyde, please be kind to Anissa," I requested. "She's hurting."
Clyde's eyes narrowed.
"Why should I?"
"Because she's my sister," I replied.
Clyde sighed.
"Fine."
Later, Clyde called Anissa into his study.
"Anissa, we need to discuss our arrangement," he said.
Anissa's eyes welled up with tears.
"Clyde, why did you marry me if you already had a lover.. and you knew she was my sister?" she asked.
Clyde's expression remained emotionless.
"It's ..."
Anissa nodded.
"I know. But being treated like this...it hurts."
Clyde turned away.
"That's all, Anissa."
I watched, concerned.
"Clyde, please—"
He cut me off.
"Moon, stay out of this."