Page 92 of Faking Ties

The next question goes to Jax, and the interpreter asks, “What was your inspiration behind making this movie?”

“Easy,” Jax says, “my wife, Stella, was the inspiration.”

The audience gasps and I whip my head to face him, my jaw hanging open. Stella inhales sharply in my ear, and that’s confirmation enough. They weremarried? How the hell could she leave out a detail likethat?

Jax’s smile is the opposite of friendly, as if sayingcheckmate, motherfuckerto me. I don’t know how to respond, and Stella’s unhelpfully silent. Normally, Hunter would step in and help me in a situation like this. It’s what he’s perfected on the red carpet. But he can’t do anything right now.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I’m alone in this and I’m going to have to be the one to get myself out of this mess. Insinuating that they’re married is one of the most damaging things Jax could say about Stella. She has a reputation of being America’s sweetheart, and America’s sweetheart doesn’t cheat. I can already picture the headlines calling Hunter a homewrecker and calling her a whore.

Responsibility falls onto my shoulders, stifling and crushing. Responsibility for Stella, but also responsibilityfor Hunter. Hunter’s done nothing but support me, and it’s time I repay that favor. I’ve got to find a way to fix this. Jax is the one in the wrong here, not Stella or Hunter. And I refuse to have their names dragged through the mud because of this smug asshole next to me.

“Bless your heart,” I say, glaring at Jax. “You must have me confused with another ex of yours. Probably the one you cheated on me with.” More gasps sound in the room and I stand up and say, “Thank you all for having me. I hope you enjoy the soundtrackmorethan the movie.”

With a flip of my long hair, I stride confidently across the platform to Hunter. My heels click against the wooden platform, the only sound in the room. Hunter holds his hand out for me and helps me down the stairs.

Even then, no one says anything.

He places his hand on my lower back and guides me out of the cinema and back into a car. I rip the earpiece out of my ear and the only thing holding me together is Hunter’s hand gripping mine. We don’t talk. We can’t, not in front of the bodyguards. Only Kai knows I’m not Stella from the team.

The second the door closes behind us to the hotel room, I whip out the phone and video call Stella.

“What the fuck?” I explode. “That was the secret?”

“I’m sorry,” she says, worry bracketing her lips. “No one knew. Not even Rachel.”

“Shit.” I squeeze my eyes shut for a beat, hurt and shocked. “How could you put me in a situation like that?”

“I tried to help, by being in your ear.”

“Little good that did,” I seethe. “You were quiet the moment I actually needed you.”

“Well, if it helps, I think your response was amazing and it’s going to go viral.”

“That doesn’t help. Not at all,” I say, rubbing my temples. “Rachel’s going to blow a gasket. All our asses are on the line right now.”

She glances down at her phone. “Speaking of Rachel… Give me a second and let me add her to the call.”

That’s the last thing I want right now. I’m really not in the mood to be lectured by Rachel for not handling the situation to her satisfaction while Stella and Hunter sit by and watch. But I can’t do anything to stop Stella from calling her. Or from Rachel answering on the first ring, wearing all black and a severe expression.

“What in the ever-loving fuck is going on?” she asks the two of us before glaring at Stella. “First, you married Jax and didn’t tell me? And you.” She turns her glare on me. “What part ofdon’t cause a scenedo you not understand?”

“Now wait one moment,” Hunter says, coming to my side and appearing in the video. “Jax was the one who caused a scene, not Elodie. She did what she couldin a tough situation. You should be thanking her for putting Jax in his place.”

“No one asked you,” Rachel dismisses Hunter with a flick of her hand.

He stiffens, and I grit my teeth and say, “You don’t get to talk to him like that. And he’s right. You keep blaming me but, news flash, I’m not responsible for Jax’s actions or the secrets he shares with Stella. At least I didn’t confirm anything and instead turned the tables on him and left before it could turn into a bigger story.”

“Do you really think you know how to manage a PR crisis?” Rachel lets out a humorless laugh.

“Don’t you dare disrespect her like that,” Hunter says. “Elodie’s the only one here trying to save the situation. What have you done to help? Scold her at every moment? Tear her down? Is that how you treat Stella, too?”

Rachel opens and closes her mouth multiple times in shock.

“You’ve been extra harsh on Elodie since the beginning,” Stella says. “You should be angry with me, not her. She handled the situation better than I would’ve. Over the years, I’ve given you too much control. And it’s time I take it back. We’re doing things my way from now on, and if you’re not okay with that, then I suggest you look for another job.”

“I see,” Rachel says evenly. “Well, I can’t stand by and follow all of you down the wrong direction.”

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