Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Isabella
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“The truth is, Isabella’s holding my career back. She gets jealous about intimate scenes with my co–stars, so I stopped telling her about them. I wanted to go public with our relationship, but let’s be real–with where our careers are headed, my fans would never accept her,” Gabriel’s recorded voice cut through my speakers.
“Gabriel, do you like me more than Isabella?” Sabrina’s voice followed, soft and almost coy.
“Without question. The fans can’t get enough of our chemistry.” He paused, and I could almost picture his dismissive shrug. “Truth is, I only started dating Isabella because she was clearly infatuated with me. Charlotte suggested I pursue her–she’s tight with Mr. Lucas Murphy at Golden Stage, and I desperately needed those connections to break into the industry. So, I followed Charlotte’s advice.”
The recording ended there, but its echo devastated everything in its wake. I wanted to laugh at how blind I’d been, but the tears came faster, hot and unrelenting. Gabriel had played me for a fool.
It was a calculated performance orchestrated down to the last detail. Did Gabriel really play me for five years, following Charlotte’s manipulation?
And the worst part? He confessed all of this to Sabrina.
For five years, I gave him everything: my dream, my love, my faith. In return, he used me like a stepping stone and trampled my self–respect!
He even went as far as stealing my necklace design–something so personal–and giving it to Sabrina.
My hands trembled as I unblocked his number and sent him the recording.
Me: ‘We’re so done, Gabriel‘
I followed it up with another message.
Me: ‘And the necklace? My design? You stole it from my files, had it made, and gave it to Sabrina? You’ve crossed every line. Consider that necklace my breakup gift. Goodbye, Gabriel. I’m done.
This will be the last time I shed tears over Gabriel. His name illuminated my phone screen–another incoming call–but I felt nothing but hollow exhaustion.
How blind I’d been. I regret wasting five years, but I have only myself to blame.
Never again. My career, my dreams–they wouldn’t be sacrificed for any man.
With a deep breath, I blocked Gabriel’s number again. Let him figure out just how little I cared anymore.
A knock at the door startled me, pulling me out of my thoughts. Who could it be?
“Ma’am? We’re Mr. Blake’s housekeepers from the main mansion. He asked us to deliver some items this morning,” a woman called out politely.
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“One moment!” I called out, quickly scanning the room for my clothes–the ones Grayson had taken off me the night before.
After a futile search, I surrendered to necessity and slipped on Grayson’s white dress shirt. The expensive fabric draped past my thighs as I rolled up the too–long sleeves. I opened the door, mustering an embarrassed smile.
“Uh, h–hi! Sorry about my… state of dress. I can’t seem to find my clothes from yesterday.”
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Chapter 16
The younger of the two women, barely out of her twenties, gave me a pointed once–over, one brow arched.
The older woman’s smile, however, held nothing but warmth. “Boss Grayson likely sent them to be laundered.”
Before I could reply, my phone buzzed in my hand. Grayson’s name lit up the screen–it was a video call.
“We’ll get started cleaning the villa, Ma’am,” the older woman said gently. “You go ahead and take the call.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, stepping back into the room.
Taking a steady breath, I accepted the call. Grayson’s face appeared on the screen, his typically self–assured expression shadowed by concern.
“H–hi!” I stammered, trying to sound composed.
He frowned, his sharp eyes narrowing.
“Have you been crying?” he asked directly.
Red–rimmed eyes appeared in the corner of my screen, revealing my attempt to hide my emotions. I quickly shook my head, brushing it off.
“It’s nothing,” I said softly. “Just some news that upset me. But don’t worry–this will be the last time I cry over it.”
“Is this about those nasty rumors circulating about you?” His eyes darkened with concern.
If that’s the case, then he must already know. I sighed. “Yes. It affected the beauty brand I’m endorsing and caused me trouble.”
“Then let’s take legal action against Golden Stage, Bella. I’ll help you with it.”
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I was momentarily taken aback. The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind–I’d just accepted Golden Stage’s poor treatment without protest. But now that I was on the brink of marrying Grayson, my reputation mattered more than ever. Perhaps that explained his eagerness to intervene.
“Alright. Let’s do it.”
I quickly shifted the topic. “By the way, where are you now?”
“Lake City. I just arrived and thought of calling you.”
Lake City was miles away from me. After our night together, after everything we’d shared until dawn broke, he was already handling business in another city. Had he slept at all?
The faint shadows under his eyes hinted at exhaustion, yet he still exuded that striking, commanding charm that made him irresistibly handsome.
“My polo suits you,” he added, his voice low, cutting through my thoughts and sending a blush to my cheeks.
“I couldn’t find my clothes,” I replied, fumbling for an excuse.
“I’ll send my personal shopper over. Whatever you need–clothes, accessories, jewelry.” He spoke with the casual authority of someone used to making million–dollar decisions before breakfast.
“Thanks, Gray…”
“Those marks I left are quite visible.”
The heat in my cheeks intensified. “Stop it!”
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Chapter 16
“Fine, I’ll behave for now. But seeing how good you look in my clothes makes me curious about what’s underneath
“Gray!” I squeaked, my entire body flushing warm at his suggestive tone. Thank heavens I was alone in his room, the housekeepers busy somewhere downstairs.
“Anyway, I have a request. And I really hope it’s fine with you,” I said.
“Go on…”
“I want to keep our marriage a secret–for now. Even from my family”
A pause stretched between us before he answered, “If that’s what you want.”
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My heart cased at his understanding. Grayson was a successful business tycoon at twenty–eight, while I was merely an actress with a career tainted by scandal. The last thing I wanted was to drag his name into unwarranted scrutiny.
“What’s your plan aside from sending our lawyer to Golden Stage?” he asked.
Summoning all my courage, I finally said, “I want to manage your entertainment agency–SummitGlow Talent”
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