Page 84 of Shattered Secrets
“It’s a gigantic relief.” It’s like I have new air to breathe. “And how is Maya? And Dean? We haven’t seen you for some time.”
“Dean is adorable. He doesn’t let us sleep much, but he’s too cute to care. Maya is amazing with him. She has so much patience. I just adore her.”
“I love how you speak of her. It’s so beautiful.”
“I’m tough on the outside but a romantic at heart.” He laughs.
I thank him and hang up. Great news.
Time goes by crazy fast, and my mood is uplifted after this morning’s news. I’m briefing the employees about the initial results we got from the first lectures. All the numbers are good. There was a high response from the celebrity lecturers, as I predicted, but not enough teens filled out the questionnaires.
I’m showing the team some ideas on how to improve on that and letting them make their own suggestions when a secretary knocks on the conference room door.
“Miss Beckett, someone is waiting for you at reception.”
“Who?”
“She didn’t give a name. She insists on talking to you.”
“Be right there.” I show the last slide in the presentation before I let everyone go back to work. Who could be looking for me here in the office? A journalist trying to ambush me? Maybe they heard about the case being dropped. I’ve done a few interviews recently, but they’re always pre-arranged. I’m not doing surprise interviews. Determined to kick her out of here, I stride to the entrance.
At the reception, standing with her back to me, is a woman with long blonde hair dressed in a dark blue suit. She doesn’t look familiar. I approach, and she turns to me.
She looks at me with narrowed eyes. She is a beautiful young woman. Her face looks vaguely familiar, but I’m pretty sure we haven’t met. Is she some famous personality? I’m not big on celebrities.
“Hi, I’m Ayala Beckett. How can I help you?”
“I know who you are,” she says in a bitter tone. “Can we talk in private?” She tilts her head. “Unless you’re like Ethan and want to talk here, in front of everyone. I don’t care either way. I have nothing to lose.”
What does Ethan have to do with her? Tension builds in my muscles. “Let’s go to my office.” I gesture with my hand toward the hallway, and she follows.
After I close the door, I face her. “So what do you want to tell me that you would take the trouble to come all the way here, Miss...?” What could she want?
“Castle. My name is Lena Castle,” she says in a high-pitched tone and looks at me as if the name should tell me exactly who she is. The name means nothing to me. I look at her blankly.
“He didn’t tell you about me? Why am I not surprised?” She paces the room, muttering to herself. “Two months ago, Ethan was at a fundraising event for children. You know, the one with the vice president in attendance?”
I narrow my eyes. If she’s trying to impress me, it won’t work.
“Ethan was alone, and he hit on me. Couldn’t keep his hands off me.” Her gushing tone makes me sick. “I slept with him. And now I’m carrying his child.” She smiles and caresses her nonexistent pregnant belly.
My world starts spinning.
She’s the blonde from the party. The pain I felt when I saw her picture then is nothing compared to what I feel now. She’s pregnant. She’ll give him a child. The only thing I can’t give him. I want to curl up into a ball and hide under the desk. But I’ll be damned if I let her see my pain.
“What do you want from me? I’m not Ethan.”
“You’re dating him. I just wanted to give you a heads-up. He was happy when I told him that he’s going to have a child soon. You should look for another sugar daddy.”
“Sugar Daddy?” My plan to remain indifferent crumbles as the anger seeps through the cracks.
She looks around as if examining the place. “Do you live with him? Do you work for him? He designed your life. Looks like you made a good deal. You open your legs for all of this.”
“Get out of here,” I can’t help demanding and raise my voice. “Whatever it is you want, go get it from someone else.”
She leaves my office, a satisfied smile on her face. I break down. She got what she wanted.
How long has he known about this? Why didn’t he tell me? Fuck. Why is everything so hard all the time?
