The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 82
Victoria’s POV
My trembling fingers scrolled through yet another scathing headline Victoria Taylor: Hollywood’s Newest Fraud Exprised!” I threw my phone across the bedroom, watching with grim satisfaction as it bounced off my silk pillows. The sound wasn’t nearly as satisfying as glass shattering against the wall–like the vase I’d destroyed yesterday, or the crystal decanter from the day before.
“Miss Victoria?” A timid knock at the door. “Would you like some breakfast?”
“Get the fuck away from my door!” I screamed, hurling a designer she at the wooden panel. The thud was followed by hurried footsteps retreating down the hall.
I collapsed onto my bed, curling into a fetal position as tears burned behind my eyelids.
My phone buzzed again from somewhere in the bedding.
And those photos… God, those photos. The ones my PR team had assured me were destroyed years ago. I’d been young, desperate, and stupid. Now they were everywhere.
I scrolled through my contacts, desperate for anyone who might help My agent’s calls went straight to voicemail after he’d delivered the news yesterday: “Take some time off, Victoria. We’ll reassess when this blows over.” Translation: you’re toxic, and we’re cutting you loose.
“This is fucking insane,” I whispered to my empty room, voice cracking from hours of screaming and crying. “Who would do this to
me?”
My phone buzzed with an email notification:
Dear Ms. Taylor,
In light of recent events, Luminous Cosmetics regrets to inform you that we must terminate our contract effective immediately. As per section 12.3 of our agreement regarding moral turpitude clauses…
I didn’t bother reading the rest. That was the fifth brand to drop me in three days.
A sob tore from my throat as I hurled my phone at the mirror, watching my reflection splinter into a thousand pieces. The crash
brought an immediate pounding on my door.
“Victoria!” My mother’s voice, sharp with concern. “Open this door right now!”
“Go away!” I screamed back, my voice raw.
“Victori, darling, please!” The doorknob rattled.
I collapsed onto the floor amidst the shattered glass, too exhausted to fight anymore. “It’s open,” I finally called out.
Mom rushed in, her perfectly manicured hand flying to her mouth at the sight of me surrounded by broken glass. “Oh my God, Victoria! What have you done?”
“What have I done?” I laughed bitterly. “I didn’t do anything! Someone is trying to destroy me!”
Her eyes swept over the destruction of my room–the overturned furniture, shattered glass, clothes strewn everywhere. For three days, I’d refused to let the staff clean, preferring to wallow in the physical manifestation of my ruined life.
Chapter 82
“You can’t stay like this,” she said firmly, stepping carefully through the debris Look at yourself.
I caught a glimpse in what remained of my mirror–mascara streaked down hollow cheeks, unwashed hair clinging to my scalp, designer pajamas wrinkled and stained. 1 barely recognized myself.
Mom’s Tace twisted with a mixture of heartbreak and frustration. He long are you going to keep acting like this? Look at yourself! She gestured wildly at my disheveled appearance, “You’ve barely eaten anything for two days. You break whatever the staff brings you. What’s the point of all this?
The concern in her voice broke through the numbness that had been any only protection. Tears welled up and spilled over before 1 could stop them.
“But Mom, what am I supposed to do? My career is over!” The words aught in my throat, choking me. “The agency says I should. take a break, but I know they’re just dumping me. All those brands are canceling my contracts.” My voice cracked with desperation “Mom, who would do this to me?”
“I worked so hard to become a star,” I whispered, clutching please help me!”
at
her sleeves like a child. “I can’t let my career end like this! Mom,
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