Chapter 38 The Breaking Point
THE brEAKING POINT
LILY
Harris doesn’t bother with pleasantries. His face is hard, mouth set in a grim line as he addresses us. The coldness in his eyes sends a chill down my spine.
“The label’s not renewing your contract,” he announces, his tone clipped, like he’s severing any hope before it can take root. “You’ve breached the agreement by pulling Lily on stage.”
The words hit like a sledgehammer. I hear the sharp intake of breath from the guys behind me. Enzo mutters a curse under his breath, Dylan shifts on his feet, and Marcus’s jaw tightens, his arms crossed as he stares Harris down.
“Wait, what?” My voice wavers, coming out more breathless than I intend. “Harris, we got approval. We went back and forth with them for weeks and they agreed. Plus, the fans loved it. The band has never been more connected.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Harris snaps, his icy gaze drilling into me. “This isn’t about what the crowd loved. It’s about what the label has written in the contract with the band. You knew the rules, Lily.”
Guilt crashes over me in waves. I glance back at the guys, their faces a mixture of anger and disbelief. Marcus is fuming but trying to keep his composure. Jax looks like the wind’s been knocked out of him, his pale face etched with defeat.
We read the contract, and it explicitly states that no guest artists can be added to the tour unless they are pre-approved and listed.
But we did reach out to the label beforehand, got their approval, and now it feels like the whole thing was a carefully laid trap.
They approved my appearance on stage, even though it technically violated the contract. I am not a listed artist.
“What does this mean?” Marcus speaks first, his voice low and sharp. “Are we done?”
Harris sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “The label is allowing you to finish your final two shows, but after that, your contract is terminated. And Lily,” he pauses, his words cutting like glass, “you’re done. Effective immediately.”
The world tilts. I struggle to process his words as they settle in.
Fired.
From the band. From the one place that’s felt more like home than anything else I’ve ever experienced. My breath catches in my throat, and I fight the tears burning at the back of my eyes.
“I… I’m fired?” The words barely come out, my voice trembling.
“Yes,” Harris confirms without an ounce of emotion. “Pack your things, Lily. You’re leaving with me.”
It feels like the ground beneath me is crumbling.
I can’t stop myself from looking back at the guys.
Enzo’s fists are clenched at his sides, his entire body taut with rage.
Dylan’s jaw works as he stares at the ground, his usual easy-going demeanor nowhere to be found.
Marcus meets my eyes, his expression one of helplessness.
And Jax… Jax looks utterly broken, like the weight of this news has crushed him entirely.
“Lily,” Jax croaks, stepping forward, his voice hoarse and raw. “This can’t be happening.”
I want to reassure him, tell him everything will be okay, but I can’t lie to him. Not when I don’t even believe it myself.
“I need to pack,” I whisper, my voice cracking.
Harris nods briskly. “Go ahead. I’ll wait.”
The bus feels foreign as I step inside. The familiar warmth, the comfort are gone, replaced by an unbearable heaviness.
I lean against the door for a moment, willing myself to keep it together.
My hands tremble as I grab my clothes, my notebook, the small collection of personal items I’ve brought with me.
The tears I’ve been holding back finally spill as I shove my things into my bag. This isn’t just about me. It’s about them, about us. What does this mean for Jax’s recovery? For the band’s future? For our new songs? For everything we’ve worked toward the last few months?
I hear soft footsteps behind me and turn to see Enzo standing in the doorway. His face is hard, his jaw tight, but when his eyes meet mine, his expression softens.
“You don’t have to do this,” he says quietly, stepping closer. “We’ll figure something else out. We always do.”
I shake my head, tears blurring my vision. “I don’t want to make things worse, Enzo. If I stay, it might hurt the band even more.”
He cups my face in his hands, his touch warm and steady. “We need you, Lily. I need you. You’re not just part of the band—you’re part of us.”
His words nearly undo me, but I force myself to focus. “Harris isn’t giving us a choice.”
Enzo pulls me into a hug, his arms wrapping around me like he’s trying to shield me from the world. “This isn’t right,” he murmurs.
I cling to him, the weight of it all pressing down on me. “I don’t want to leave,” I whisper, my voice breaking.
“You won’t,” he says fiercely. “We’ll find a way.”
I nod against his chest, even though I’m not sure I truly believe him.