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“So!” The first host grinned at me. “The other big news is that there’s an upcoming family wedding! Caroline Vale, Bryce’s cousin, is set to marry tech-billionaire Eli Hazleton! Are you excited for the wedding?”
“I’msoexcited. It’s going to be amazing—they’re getting married at a beautiful spot on Spruce Island. I can’t wait.”
“And what are you wearing?”
“It’s a surprise—I can’t tell you that!” I laughed. “But how about I text you a picture from the wedding? Then you can see for yourself!”
“I love it. Awesome!” The first host said.
“One final question, Chloe.” The second host leaned forward, eyes sparkling. “Girl to girl… What’s it like living in a giant mansion with America’s hottest billionaire?”
I grinned at her. “It’s like a fairytale,” I said. “It’s every girl’s dream come true.”
The interview ended, and Olivia Jensen came over to me. She whistled. “That was amazing, Chloe. I can’t believe you teared up like that, it was so emotional!”
“Did it go okay?” I asked.
“Are you kidding me?” Her eyes were wide. “After seeing that interview, no one on earth would doubt how much you love your husband. The love was just oozing out of you.Oozing.”
“Good,” I said, even though it wasn’t good.
It was, however, exactly what Gene Windsor wanted.
THIRTY-SEVEN
wedding bells
The next fewdays passed in a blur. Tons of requests rolled in for more interviews; I politely told Olivia Jensen to decline them. There would be no more press for Chloe Windsor. My ratings were favorable with the public, but that no longer mattered.
My ratings with Gene Windsor wouldneverbe favorable. What mattered was following his script, doing his bidding. What mattered most was protecting my husband and brother, the two people I had left in the world.
Akira had checked in. Lydia and my father had signed the contract and taken the money. They understood that there wasn’t any more coming, at least in theory. My father had once again waived his legal rights to Noah. This time, Akira had him execute an agreement that she filed with the family court. She said it could take a while, but eventually, a judge would approve it. Then he wouldn’t be able to fight me for my brother.
Not that he really wanted him. Not that he’d called to check in on his son—he hadn’t. He and Lydia had probably cashed their check, hit the liquor store, and were having a good old time doing what they did best—getting fucked up and making a mess of things. They weren’t aware of what they’d set in motion, how their actions had impacted me. They would never know because I would never speak to them again. They hadn’t meant for Gene Windsor to take their picture and use their existence as the rationale to get rid of me once and for all. Once again, I was collateral damage—their poor choices had led to my downfall.
I prayed to my mom.Don’t let me get bitter.But I was worried I was already halfway there…
A bright spot was my brother. Noah seemed as happy as ever. He played with Boss the puppy and fished off the private dock for hours. The troubles the rest of us were facing—the paparazzi, the pending charges, the blackmail—didn’t trickle into his happy bubble. I was so relieved about that.
The thing that sucked? I was going to pop that bubble sooner rather than later. And I knew my brother would never forgive me.
Don’t think about it, don’t think about it, don’t think about it!Because if I didn’t do what Gene asked, Noah would face a lot worse.Thatwas the thought I needed to keep front and center in my mind.
Every moment of every day, I needed to think about the people that I loved. I needed to keep my eye on the ball and forget everything else.
After the interview, Bryce sent me flowers.I’m one lucky bastard,the card read.I’m so proud of you, babe.I hugged the card to my chest as my eyes filled with tears. Bryce had no idea what was happening with me, what was about to happen. He’d been so busy with the board and legal that he’d barely slept.
It was better that he was busy. If I was around him too much, if we were close… I was pretty sure it would break me. I couldn’t risk that. It seemed that fate was intervening, making Gene’s plans come true. Everything was falling into place.
The government still hadn’t announced the formal charges against Gene, but it was just a matter of time. Daphne wasn’t taking the news particularly well. She was worried about how it would impact her, of course. “He told me that he’s definitely going to prison. They’ll probably freeze his assets—I don’t know what that means for the baby and me!”
I wanted to comfort her, but I didn’t know what to say. When I asked Bryce about it in passing, he made me feel better. “Don’t worry—we’ll take care of her. She’ll be able to stay in the house. It’s not like I’m going to let her and her childstarve.” He was already assuming the leadership role, and I was glad for it. Bryce was a good guy. He would make choices that helped the people around him.
I was doing this for a reason.
I hoped Bryce’s position would make Daphne happy, but then again, she was accustomed to a more lavish lifestyle. She’d been texting me all morning—not about her husband’s impending arrest but about which gown to wear to the wedding. She’d sent me six different pictures, all with different “looks.”I still can’t decide—help!
At least Daphne’s priorities were still intact. I had to give her that. I texted back that I liked the pink dress best.You look pretty in that color.Her husband was a snake, the devil, and a master manipulator all rolled into one, but shedidlook good in pink.
