Jeremy's POV
I stared at the screen of my phone with trembling hands. Notifications poured in non-stop. Thousands of comments, messages, and news saying my name filled the timeline. All eyes were now on me, but not as a talented actor or the perfect man I'd always projected. No. Now, I was a traitor, a man who broke the heart of a woman who'd loved him for five years.
The throbbing in my head grew louder as I read the headlines dotting the gossip portal.
"Jeremy and Lolita - The Career-Breaking Affair?"
"There's the woman who Revealed the Dark Side of Her Relationship with Jeremy!"
"Actor Jeremy is Threatened to Boycott! Fans Turn Back Blasphemes!"
I grasped my phone tightly. No, this wasn't possible. This was just a small storm, and I could get through it. I'd contacted Melody so many times, but she didn't answer. Even when I tried to call Elena, the result was the same - no answer.
I look up, staring at my reflection in the mirror across the room. The normally confident eyes now seem blank. I look like a defeated man.
I get up off the couch and walk toward my apartment window that overlooks the city. The lights flash in the dark, but the beauty can't calm my mind. I take a huge breath, trying to think clearly. I need a strategy. I need an official statement to get the situation under control before things get even worse.
I reached for my phone and dialled my assistant, Adrian. It didn't take long before his panicked voice sounded on the other end of the line.
"Jeremy! What are you doing?! I've received more than a hundred calls today! The sponsor withdrew, the upcoming film contract was cancelled, and the agency and production house are considering letting you go! Do you realise how serious this is?!"
I rubbed my face roughly. "I know! But we can handle it. We can state that it was all just a misunderstanding."
"Too late! The evidence is too strong, Jeremy! There are photos, there are recordings, there are disgusting messages you sent to Lolita! What have you been thinking all this time?!"
I ground my teeth. Melody. It must be her who leaked all this. I never expected her to go this far. She who was always gentle, always patient, was apparently able to ruin my life in one night.
"What should I do?" my voice sounded weaker than I'd intended.
Adrian sighed heavily. "For now? Shut up. Don't make any statements, don't appear in public, and don't add fuel to the fire that is burning your name. I will try to fix this, but I can't promise anything."
I hung up and slammed the phone on the couch. My hands balled into fists. No, this couldn't end like this. I'd fought too long to be in the position I was in. I wouldn't let one mistake ruin everything.
I had to talk to Melody. She had to hear my explanation. Maybe I could convince her to delete the upload to withdraw all the accusations. She loved me, didn't she? She couldn't possibly want to see me break like this.
I would make her clear my name as soon as possible. That woman, what a jerk!
Determinedly, I grabbed the car keys and prepared to walk out of the apartment. I fell silent to find Lolita in front of my unit. She smiled meaningfully. She looked at me and pushed me inside.
"Don't tell me you want to go to your ex-girlfriend's house to beg?"
"I do want to go, but not to beg. Melody should withdraw the news and clear my name."
Lolita laughed and then shook her head. And walked to the mini bar, then poured the wine into a glass.
"You'll embarrass yourself. It could be a melody trap for revenge!"
I kicked the table in front of me, making several glasses shake before one of them fell and shattered on the floor.
Lolita, who was now sitting on the sofa sipping wine, only smiled crookedly. "Relax, darling. Let them talk. After all, scandals like this don't last long. They will also forget later."
I looked at her with great emotion. "Forgot it? My good name is ruined, and my employment contracts are cancelled one by one! My career could end because of this!"
Lolita shrugged, then walked toward me with a teasing smile. "We can turn things around, Jeremy. I've contacted some media. We can come up with a new narrative that Melody is just looking for attention. We can say she was the one who actually cheated on you first and is now pretending to be a victim."
I rubbed my face in frustration. "You think it's that easy? The public believes her! They pity her, and they hate me."
Lolita snorted and grabbed my phone. "Look at this," she said, revealing a post on social media.
I moved closer, and my eyes widened when I saw the photo displayed on Melody's mother's social media account. In the photo, Melody was wearing a wedding dress. Her gentle smile was on clear display as if her life was fine after crushing me.
Below the photo, there was one sentence that made my chest feel tight.
# BrideToBe
My left hand clenched so hard my books turned white. "She's... getting married?" my voice shook, a mixture of anger and shock.
Lolita let out a chuckle, then shot me a meaningful look. "Apparently, we need to give Melody a little surprise for her wedding. I have a crazy idea, darling. And I'm sure you'll love it."
I turned to her, our eyes meeting. Lolita's lips curved into a smile full of devious plans.
I didn't know what was going through her head, but one thing was for sure - I wasn't going to let Melody walk away easily. Not after everything she'd put me through.
And I'll make sure of that.
