Chapter 28: Chapter 27: The Karaoke Disaster

The private karaoke room at SingStar Lounge was a sensory overload. Neon lights blinked erratically, throwing the room into a disorienting mix of purples, blues, and greens. A half-functional disco ball spun lazily from the ceiling, casting fragmented reflections onto the group of Ava's clients—who, fueled by alcohol and a misguided sense of confidence, had decided that their rendition of Shallow from A Star Is Born was the perfect way to showcase their "bond."

Harper, holding the microphone like it was a magic wand, belted out the lyrics with so much conviction that Ava almost admired her bravery. Dan, her fiancé, leaned into the chorus with gusto but absolutely no sense of pitch. Together, they sounded like a duet between a dying cat and a car alarm.

Ava grimaced as the microphone crackled with feedback. She clutched her soda like it was a flotation device in a sea of chaos. "How did I let this happen?" she muttered to no one in particular.