Page 133 of Golden Ruin

Things might be different if there was a relationship to salvage in the first place, but all I have are a collection of bad memories and broken promises. That’s not a foundation worth rebuilding in my opinion. So, maybe the moral of the story is that everything isn’t meant to be fixed, and the sooner Mom accepts that, the better.

I glance down at my phone when a notification chimes. It rings out over the sound of Jax singing along to a theme song playing on his tablet. When we reach a stoplight, I open it and immediately wish I hadn’t based solely on the title of Pandora’s new post–The Internet Wanted Receipts.

My heart races because, lately, her posts have been laser focused on Sterling and me. So, what sort of receipts is she talking about?

Without a second thought, I cross the intersection and pull off the road, easing into a parking space outside a nail shop before opening the full post.

*

@QweenPandora

Well, lovelies, it looks like Marla Simon just dropped the latest episode of her podcast. And this one? Whew! #TheSubstitute is back, and Tiffany Pierce did not come to play. Click the link and give the episode a listen.

Trust me, you won’t want to miss it.

Later, peeps :)

–P

*

My hands are shaking as I clutch my phone, hiding my emotions as much as possible when I turn toward the back seat.

“Jax, sweetie, plug in your headphones and put them on for me, okay?”

He nods and does as he’s asked without question. And the second I know he’s not listening, I click the blue link Pandora posted, and a video begins to play.

The title alone is infuriating as fuck—Manipulation 101.

“Welcome back,” Marla begins, smiling at Tiffany from matching white armchairs. “Last time you were here, I told you this seat would be waiting whenever you were ready to tell your side of things. Today, it seems you decided to accept my offer, so let’s get into it, shall we?”

“Absolutely,” Tiffany says, pushing her dark hair over her shoulder as she smiles. “Thanks for having me on again.”

“You kidding? It’s literally my job to give the people what they want, and your story is what they want, girl. There’s been a lot of speculation since those photos of your ex and his son’s mom dropped. But is it just about that? I mean, you were kind of vague before. So, what’s changed that has you ready to share your truth?”

“You know how it is. Speak too soon and suddenly you’re just the bitter ex. Everything you say gets dismissed before anyone even hears you.”

“Girl, yes.”

“I sat with this for a while, honestly hoping things wouldn’t get to this point. But with everything coming out, I had to speak up and set the record straight.”

“So, are you saying that this… What do we even call it? A fling? This didn’t just start after your engagement ended? Because half the internet is running with the idea that these two just reconnected. But the other half disagrees. They believe your ex, Sterling, was involved with Lexi, his son’s mother, long before that. Some even think she’s the reason your engagement ended. Is that what you believe?”

Tiffany doesn’t answer right away. She’s staring at the floor, a distant smile on her face as she thinks, tears pooling in her eyes.

“You know, people point to the fire… to her moving into his house… but from where I was standing, she started moving in on him long before that.”

Marla arches a brow. “Ok, now you’ve got my attention. Walk me through that. Start at the beginning.”

Tiffany takes a deep breath, milking the moment. “I ignored how she always seemed to find a way to be around him. Family gatherings, celebrations after games, things like that.”

“Okay, playing devil’s advocate here for a sec. Is it possible that’s because she was bringing their son to these events?”

I want to smack the shit out of Tiffany when she scoffs at Marla’s question. “I’d buy that if she was actually bringing him with her.”

Marla rears her head back. “Oh… that changes things. So, you’re saying she was showing up solo? Casually crashing her ex’s personal space? I’m curious to hear what his family had to say when she’d pop up.”

Tiffany’s brow tenses. “Honestly, they’re part of the problem. They were enablers, validating Lexi’s feelings, defending her. Never once did anyone stand up and suggest that she fall back. For me. Hell, for Sterling!”