Victoria’s POV
The bright lights of the studio burned into my retinas as I held the al pose. My jaw ached from smiling for hours, but I maintained my position without flinching.
“Cut! That’s a wrap,” Thomas White barked, finally lowering his camera. His perpetually furrowed brow relaxed slightly. “These will do. Ms. Taylor, you’re free to go.”
Coming from Thomas, that was practically a standing ovation. I exhaled slowly, letting the tension drain from my shoulders as the
assistants dismantled the set.
Twenty minutes later, I sank into the plush leather seat of my private car, finally able to let my guard down.
“Jesus Christ, I’m exhausted,” I groaned, letting my head fall back. “I had no idea Thomas was such a nightmare to work with. The man’s a freaking drill sergeant!”
Sophie glanced up from her phone, a small smile playing on her lips. “What are you looking at? You’ve been glued to that thing all morning.”
“Nothing much. But Victoria, have you noticed that all those nasty stories about you online have disappeared? They’ve been replaced with news about your current projects.”
“What?” I sat bolt upright, suddenly wide awake. “Give me that phone!”
I snatched it from her hands, frantically scrolling through the entertainment news sites. Sure enough, the vicious headlines linking me to Brandon had vanished. In their place were glowing articles about my Diana campaign and my casting in “Midnight Echo.”
“Victoria Taylor Lands Coveted Role in ‘Midnight Echo“”
“Diana’s New Face: Victoria Taylor Dazzles in First Campaign Shots
I scrolled faster, my hands trembling slightly. Not a single mention of the alleged affair.
“Oh my God,” I whispered, tears pricking at my eyes. “What the hell happened? How is this possible?”
Sophie shrugged. “Must be something happening at Stark Group headquarters. Looks like your troubles are finally over.”
I clutched her hand tightly. “I knew those ridiculous accusations wouldn’t stick forever. Sophie, thank you for standing by me through all of this. When everything was falling apart, you were the only one who never left my side.”
“Don’t be silly, Sophie said, squeezing my hand. “That’s what best friends are for. Now that this mess is behind you, you should probably think about moving back home. Staying at your parents‘ place isn’t a good look.”
“You’re right,” I agreed. “I’ve weathered this storm, but I can’t give those vultures any more ammunition. I should move back today.”
Even as I said the words, a knot formed in my stomach. Alexander had been so quick to believe the worst about me.
My mind drifted to Brandon’s face, the way he’d announced me as Diana’s spokesperson that night. The pride in his voice, the confidence in his decision.
My heart skipped a beat.
“Victoria? Hello? Earth to Victoria!”
1/3
Chapter 281
Sophie’s voice snapped me back to reality. She was waving her hand front of my face.
“Brandon! I blurted out, then immediately wished I could take it back.
Sophie’s eyebrows shot up. “What? What about Brandon?”
1 blinked rapidly. “Huh?”
6
“I’ve been trying to get your attention for like a full minute, Sophie aid. “You just completely zoned out. And then you said Brandon’s name. What’s going on?”
“Nothing! Nothing at all!” I insisted, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. out who set me up.”
was just thinking about this whole situation–trying to figure
My heart was pounding loudly. What was wrong with me? Why was hinking about Brandon Stark, of all people?
The next few days passed in a whirlwind. The Diana photoshoot wrapped ahead of schedule, with everyone raving about the campaign’s potential. “Midnight Echo” officially announced its cast, with me prominently featured.
Despite the disappearance of the negative press, I couldn’t help noticing the way people still whispered when I walked by. The story might have been scrubbed from the internet, but it lingered in people’s memories.
When I finally pushed open the door to the house Alexander and I shared, I was greeted by silence.
“I’m home!” I called out, my voice echoing in the empty foyer.
The housekeeper emerged from the kitchen, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Madam, you’re back!” she exclaimed. “Would you like me to prepare something to eat?”
“Just make whatever,” I said, then paused at the foot of the stairs. “Actually, prepare whatever my husband enjoys. Let me know when he gets home.”
I spent the next hours meticulously preparing for Alexander’s return. Fresh sheets, expensive perfume, a long bubble bath. By the time I heard the front door, I’d transformed into the perfect picture of a devoted wife.
I emerged from the bathroom wrapped in silk, my hair still damp. Alexander stood in our bedroom, shrugging off his jacket. He barely spared me a glance before turning away.
“Alex, you’re home!” I said brightly. “The chef made your favorites tonight. I’ve got the next few days off, so we can actually have dinner together!”
“Hmm, was his only response.
“Alex,” I finally said, my voice smaller than intended. “I’ve explained everything. You know the truth now. Why are you still treating me like this? There’s nothing between Brandon and me. I love you–enough that I was willing to hurt Summer to be with you.”
Alexander’s posture softened slightly.
“Fine, I’m not really angry anymore,” he conceded. “But you need to be more careful. This scandal has put me in an incredibly difficult position.”
I stepped closer. “I understand that. But think about it–why would Brandon give me these opportunities? It has to be because of
you.”
2/3
Chapter 281
I took a breath before continuing, my voice dropping. ‘Do you know Elle Sinclair? Brandon’s cousin? I think she’s behind all this. She seems to have it out for any woman who gets close to Brandon. It’s like she’s obsessed with him.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “Elle Sinclair? Are you saying she has feelings for Brandon?”
I nodded eagerly. At the annual party, Brandon just made a simple announcement about my contract. Next thing I know, someone’s plastering doctored photos of us everywhere. This wasn’t a coincidence, Alex.”
Alexander was quiet for a moment. Then he looked at me with a decisiveness that made my stomach clench.
“If it’s that complicated, then maybe you should step away from it all he said firmly. “Now that everything’s died down, it might be the perfect time for you to leave the entertainment industry altogether.
I froze. “Excuse me?”
“The entertainment world is full of these politics,” Alexander continued. “Look at all the trouble it’s caused. The Taylor family doesn’t need the money, and neither do you. I can certainly provide for you.”
I stared at him, speechless. Then the anger hit.
“Are you seriously asking me to give up my career?” I demanded. “This has nothing to do with money, Alex. Acting is my dream—it’s what I’ve always wanted! And now that everything’s finally falling into place, you want me to just walk away?”
Alexander’s face hardened. “You-”
“No,” I cut him off. “I will listen to you about almost anything, but not this. Never this. My career is non–negotiable.”
From then on, this same argument played out repeatedly, with neither of us willing to budge. We existed in the same house but might as well have been living on different planets. Even sleeping in the same bed, we maintained a careful distance that felt wider than any ocean.
He wouldn’t back down. And neither would I.
Chapter Comments
