The announcement came at breakfast.
No loud music. No gameshow voice.
Just the screen lighting up with three quiet words:
GROUP THERAPY CHALLENGE.
The living room was rearranged. No cameras in sight — but everyone knew they were still watching.
Twelve chairs. One circle.
The host's voice echoed through hidden speakers:
"Each contestant will answer one question. No skipping. No lying. Viewers will vote on authenticity."
Naomi crossed her legs. "Manipulative."
Zoe smirked. "Sounds like high school."
Ren just sat down.
The first question landed on Emily.
"What would you change about your relationship with Ren?"
She swallowed.
"I would've told him the truth. That I needed him more than I let on."
Ren looked down.
Next: Brooke.
"Why did you break up?"
She scoffed. "Ask him. He stopped fighting. I got tired of yelling into silence."
Riley's turn.
"Do you still love him?"
Pause. Then a simple:
"Yes."
No hesitation.
Zoe's turn.
"Were your feelings ever real?"
Laughter, then stillness.
"More real than I wanted."
Naomi's question:
"Would you do it all again?"
She didn't blink.
"No."
Ivy's turn.
The question was different.
"What are you hiding?"
Silence.
Everyone leaned in.
Then, softly:
"I know where the cameras don't reach. And I've seen what you're all like when you think no one's watching."
Vanessa smiled like she'd been waiting.
"If Ren picked someone else, would you be okay with it?"
Her voice was silk.
"I'd support his choice."
Beat.
"Then make sure she never hurts him again."
Everyone went quiet.
The host's voice returned:
"Thank you for your honesty. Results will be shared… when we feel like it."
Ren stood up last.
No question for him.
No need.
His silence said enough.