Page 209 of Collide
“But,” I say for her.
She sighs. “Yeah. But.” She runs a hand through her perfectly styled hair, the cracks in her calm, professional exterior starting to show. “I have to ask…did you end things with Alex?”
I stiffen, jaw tightening. “No.”
Kylie exhales, frustration and concern flashing across her face. “Elena?—”
“I have no plans to end things,” I cut in, holding her gaze steady. “Just because hemightbe having a baby with someone else doesn’t mean we have to end. People have babies all the time, it doesn’t mean their lives or relationships stop.”
Her eyes widen slightly, like she hadn’t expected me to be so firm.
“I’m telling you this because I care about you—you need to think about what this could do to your career if the truth comes out. If he’s the father, and you’re standing by him publicly, itcould ruin everything you’ve built before you even really get to enjoy it. You’ll lose in the court of public opinion. You’ll stand in the way of their ‘happy family’ ending.”
Her words hit their mark, but still, I feel that stubborn heat rising in my chest.
If we burn, we burn together.
“I’m not going to pretend we’re nothing just to save face.” My voice wavers. “I’ve spent my whole life hiding parts of myself to make everyone else comfortable.”
Kylie softens, but she isn’t done. “I’m not saying hide forever. But at least keep this private right now. Please. For you. Protect yourself until you know where this is heading.”
I look away, staring out the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city. The sky is gray—cold and distant.
“We can’t control what people say,” Kylie adds gently, stepping closer. “But we can control what we give them to talk about.”
Her words hang heavy between us.
Finally, I turn back to her, forcing a small smile. “Thanks, Kylie. I’ll think about it.”
She searches my face for a moment, like she isn’t sure if she believes me, but finally nods.
“Okay. Just…be careful. You’ve worked too hard to let it all fall apart.”
She leaves, the door clicking quietly behind her.
I let out a shaky breath, pressing my hands to my face.
Because even though I don’t want to admit it, a part of me knows she’s right.
Chapter 29
I Fall Apart
When I return to my apartment, despite Kylie’s warning, I feel lighter. For now, the label is happy, and my reputation has recovered.
Groceries in hand, I stop dead in my tracks. There, sitting on the bench outside my door, is Carole.
Her posture is perfect as always, legs crossed at the ankle, her hands folded neatly in her lap. But there’s something in the way she’s staring down at them, something small and almost fragile that catches me completely off guard.
What is she doing here?
She looks up as I approach, offering a tentative smile. “Elena.”
I freeze, standing awkwardly in front of her. “Carole. I…wasn’t expecting to see you.”
She nods, smoothing an invisible crease from her perfectly tailored coat. “I know. I wasn’t sure I should come. But I wanted to talk to you.”
A part of me stiffens—the old resentment rising, sharp and familiar—but something in her tone makes me pause.
