I sat motionless on the couch, gazing at the city lights from my apartment window. The post I had published earlier that day had exploded, now dominating every major gossip site and social media platform. My phone buzzed on the coffee table, but I left it untouched, the vibrations feeling like distant echoes in the chaos of my mind.
Suddenly, the door crashed open.
“Jillian!” Matthew’s voice roared, filled with anger, as he stormed into the room.
I didn’t move. I didn’t even acknowledge him at first, my eyes fixed on the empty space in front of me. "What do you want?" I asked, keeping my voice even.
He slammed the door behind him, his face flushed with rage. “Cut the act. Did you post that crap about me online?” His words were sharp, accusing.
I tilted my head slightly, feigning innocence. “What post?” I asked, keeping the confusion in my voice.
His fists clenched at his sides, and his eyes narrowed with frustration.
“Don’t pretend, Jillian. It’s all over the internet—people are saying I’ve gotten some woman pregnant. Do you have any idea how much this is going to ruin me?”
I shrugged, leaning back on the couch and crossing my arms. “Sounds like a problem for you to deal with, Matthew. Maybe you should find out who’s behind it.”
He took a step closer, his eyes hardening. “Are you pregnant?”
The question hung in the air, cold and accusing.
“No,” I lied smoothly, my tone steady. “Why would you think that? Didn’t you always tell me not to get pregnant?”
His gaze drilled into me, searching for any crack in my facade. “You better not be,” he hissed. “Because if you are, I’ll make sure no one ever knows about it. I’m not letting anyone ruin my premiere.”
I could feel my stomach twist, but I kept my face neutral.
"Why do you care so much?" I asked, my voice laced with disdain. "Is it not true, Matthew? Haven’t you lied to me, used me, and then turned around to announce your relationship with Debbie like nothing happened?"
For a brief moment, his expression faltered, but he quickly recovered, standing taller. “That’s not the way it looks. The thing with Debbie, it’s just for the publicity. You know how this business works.”
I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping me. “Do I? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re juggling it all—your career, your perfect public image, and Debbie on the side.”
His voice softened as he stepped closer, reaching for my hand. “Jillian, you’re overreacting. None of this is what it seems. You’ve always been the one for me.”
I remained silent, letting the weight of his words hang in the air until he spoke again.
“The movie’s what matters right now,” he said, his tone shifting. “Once we get through this, we’ll focus on us. We’ll talk about marriage. I promise.”
I nodded slightly, pretending to believe his empty promises. “Sure, Matthew. Whatever you say.”
“Good,” he said, his smile returning as if everything was fine. “How about dinner tomorrow? Just the two of us. We can talk more then.”
Before I could respond, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, his expression hardening. “I need to take this,” he said, his voice cold, already heading for the door.
I didn’t need to ask who it was. Debbie’s name flashed on the screen as Matthew answered, his voice taking on that familiar affectionate tone.
“Hey, babe,” he said, his warmth unmistakable as he stepped out into the hallway.
No goodbye, no glance back.
That was it.
The moment the door clicked shut, I stood up, my mind set. I began packing my things in silence, not looking back once.
When I stepped outside, a sleek black limousine waited for me. I climbed in, the door closing behind me with a soft thud. My phone buzzed again, and I looked at the screen. It was Stephen.
“Jillian,” he said, his voice full of concern. “I’ve heard things. Were you and Matthew really together?”
I hesitated, my heart heavy. “Yes,” I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
There was a pause before Stephen spoke again, the bitterness clear in his tone. “And you didn’t tell me? Why?”
“Because Matthew told me not to,” I said, the words coming out with little emotion. “It would’ve messed with his contract. He said it was for the best.”
A short laugh escaped Stephen. “And now? Now you see how he used you, don’t you?”
“I see it,” I said firmly. “And I want him to pay.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Pull our investments from his agency,” I said, the decision coming naturally. “And ruin the movie. I don’t care how. Just make it fail.”
“Consider it done.”
For the first time in days, a sense of satisfaction filled me.
Before heading back to the family estate, I made one last stop.
The hospital came into view as the limousine pulled into the parking lot. My hands shook slightly as I stepped out, the gravity of what I was about to do settling deep in my chest. It wasn’t just about Matthew anymore. It was about me, and this baby didn’t deserve to be part of his selfish world. I had to make the choice. There was no going back.
