I sat in my apartment, staring blankly at the city lights through the window. The viral post I’d created hours ago had already spiraled out of control, dominating every gossip site and social media platform. My phone buzzed on the coffee table, but I ignored it.
Then the door burst open.
“Lexie!” Derek’s voice boomed, his face red with fury as he stormed inside.
I didn’t flinch. I didn’t even stand. I just turned to face him, my expression blank. “What are you doing here?”
He slammed the door shut behind him. “Don’t play dumb with me,” he snapped. “Did you do it? Are you the one who posted that garbage about me online?”
I tilted my head, feigning confusion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His jaw clenched, his hands balling into fists at his sides.
“Don’t lie to me, Lexie. The post is everywhere—people are saying I got some woman pregnant. Do you have any idea what this is doing to my career?”
I shrugged, leaning back against the couch. “Sounds like you have a lot on your plate, Derek. Maybe you should take it up with whoever posted it.”
He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. “Are you pregnant?”
The words hung in the air.
“No,” I lied smoothly, my voice steady. “Why would you think that? Didn’t you tell me not to get pregnant?”
His gaze bore into mine, searching for any sign of weakness. “You better not be,” he growled. “Because if you are, I’ll make sure that baby never sees the light of day. There’s no way I’m letting anyone ruin my movie premiere.”
I felt my stomach churn, but I kept my expression neutral.
“Why does it matter?” I said. “Is it not true, Derek? Did you not lie to me, use me, and then announce your relationship with Allison to the entire world?”
His eyes flickered, and for a moment, he looked unsure. Then he straightened, his voice turning defensive. “That’s not what it looks like. The thing with Allison—it’s just for promotion. You know how this industry works.”
I laughed bitterly, the sound cutting through the tension in the room. “Do I? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re trying to have it all—your career, your perfect image, and Allison on the side.”
“Lexie,” he said, his tone softening as he tried to reach for my hand. “You’re overthinking this. None of it is real. It’s you I care about. You’ve always been the one for me.”
I didn’t respond, letting the silence stretch between us until he finally spoke again.
“Listen,” he said, his tone shifting once more. “The movie is the most important thing right now. Let’s just get through this, and then we can focus on us. I promise. We’ll talk about marriage soon.”
I forced a small nod, pretending to accept his hollow reassurance. “Sure, Derek. Whatever you say.”
“Good,” he said, his smile returning as if he had won me over. “Why don’t we go out for dinner tomorrow? Just the two of us. We can talk more then.”
Before I could answer, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, his face tightening. “I need to take this,” he said quickly, already heading for the door.
I didn’t have to ask who it was. Allison’s name lit up the screen, the sound of her voice faintly audible as he answered the call.
“Hey, babe,” he said, his tone warm and comforting as he stepped into the hallway.
He didn’t even say goodbye to me.
That was the last straw.
The moment the door closed behind him, I stood and began packing. When I finally stepped outside, a black limousine was waiting for me.
As I climbed inside, my phone buzzed. Alex’s name appeared on the screen.
“Lexie,” he said. “I’ve been hearing some things. Were you and Derek in a relationship?”
I hesitated. “Yes,” I admitted quietly.
There was a pause on the other end. “And you didn’t tell me? Why?”
“Because Derek told me not to,” I said. “It would’ve violated his contract. He swore it was for the best.”
Alex let out a bitter laugh. “And now this? He used you, Lexie. Do you see that now?”
“I see it,” I said, my voice firm. “And I want him to pay for it.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Pull out our investments from his agency,” I said without hesitation. “And sabotage the movie. I don’t care how—just make it fail.”
Alex didn’t even hesitate. “Done.”
For the first time in days, I felt a sense of satisfaction.
Before heading back to the family estate, I made one last stop.
The hospital loomed ahead as the limousine pulled into the parking lot. My hands trembled as I stepped out, the reality of what I was about to do settling in my chest like a stone.
This baby didn’t deserve to be tied to Derek. To his lies, his selfishness, his betrayal.
I had no choice but to abort this.
