LOGINSolene stared at the screen for a second like she was trying to piece together what she was looking at.Then without any more delay, she tapped on it, a silent breath escaping her.Lewis appeared on the screen.He sat behind a desk, not too formal, and not exactly relaxed either.The background looked more like a study than an office. And the look on his face was just hard to miss.He looked very put together.“Ready,” a voice—almost too faint to hear, said behind the camera, and Lewis lifted his gaze to the camera.Solene’s chest tightened.“Good morning.” He said calmly, his voice even, in a controlled way that immediately drew attention. “No need for introductions, as I believe most of you might already have an idea why this video is on your screen.” Solene’s fingers tightened slightly on the edge of the iPad.“I’m aware of everything that has been circulating online over the past few days, and I’ve decided to address it directly,” he continued. No hesitation, no searching for wo
Solene stepped out of the car, the early morning sun kissing her skin softly like it was trying to congratulate her.The door slammed shut behind her, and she moved towards the entrance, her shoulders finally straight without effort—for the first time in days.The door opened from within, and she stepped in, almost immediately noticing the shift in the air.But this time, it wasn’t sharp or suffocating.The lobby was calmer, quieter. No obvious stares digging into her back. Just the occasional whisper brushing past her ears.Her name still moved through the air, though. But it was softer, more controlled It seemed the interview had done a lot more than she expected. Her employees were all now minding their business, going on with their day like nothing had happened, and only spoke when they were spoken to.‘As they should,’ Solene thought as the elevator doors slid open.Mae stood inside, composed as usual. Clutching her iPad with a smile a little wider than usual as she stared at h
“...they’ve been given a story. And I’ve just given them the truth.”Lewis let out a slow breath, dragging a hand over his face. “Did you seriously make me come out here so you can keep watching that?” Chris looked up at first. Then he slid the phone across the table. “No. Just waiting for you to say what I want to hear.” Lewis turned away, his eyes settling on the ambulance parked across the road like it was something interesting.Chris just leaned back, studying him. “You’re acting like you’re being forced to do things you don’t want to.” Silence.“Or,” he added, leaning forward this time. “there’s something you’re not saying.”Lewis glanced at him. “What are you talking about?”“Solene calls you over, asks you to help clear both your names, and you hesitate?” he shook his head slightly. “That’s not normal.” Lewis’s jaw tightened.“Because who on earth would refuse to do something like that?” He asked. “Except there’s something bigger keeping you from doing it.”“You want me to
“I’m saying my child is not a topic for public speculation,” Solene said. “And I will not entertain conversations that reduce her to a headline.” Clarissa clicked her tongue softly. “Convenient.” Linda folded her arms. “Of course…run away, Solene.” “She’s not running away.“ Lewis suddenly said. “Know the difference already.” Linda turned to him sharply and glared. “Then what is she doing?” “What about the photos?” Rachel’s voice cut in once more. “The ones showing you and Mr Crawford in what many describe as…intimate settings.”Solene didn’t flinch once. In fact, the side of her lip curled slightly. “They are moments taken out of context.” She said. “Moments that have been twisted to fit a narrative.”“And that narrative being?”“That I’m involved with a man from my past.” Her eye flicked briefly to the camera, then back to Rachel. “I’m not.” Lewis’ jaw tightened again.Still, Rachel pressed, out for blood as she adjusted in her seat.“Mrs Alvarez, some people believe this goe
The morning settled in the house, like it had nothing to offer that day. It was slow, a little too warm, and definitely not the kind to make serious moves. Linda sat curled against the couch, a blanket loosely draped over her body, her legs resting on Lewis’s knee as he absentmindedly ran his hand over them. “It feels a bit swollen.” Linda whined, one hand on her tummy, the other gripping the blanket. Clarissa didn’t look up from the magazine in her hand. “It’s in your head.” “But I can feel it. “That’s because you don’t move anymore. And you need to eat properly.” Clarissa flipped a page. “None of that skipping meals nonsense.” “But I do eat.” “Only a little. Linda frowned. “I just don’t feel like it sometimes.” “That’s exactly when you should eat more.” Linda opened her mouth to argue, then she closed it, turning to Lewis. “Lewis, back me up here.” Silence. “Lewis?” she called. “Lewis!” He blinked. “Yes?” “Were you even listening?” Linda aske
“Our brand holds a certain standard,” Tessa added, on the other end of the phone. Her tone polite, but firm. “Especially when it comes to the faces we associate with.”Solène’s typing on the laptop slowed, but didn’t stop.She nodded once. “I understand.”“Although we’re not making any decisions yet,” Tessa clarified quickly. “However…the situation is gaining a lot of traction. Public perception matters.” Silence settled, longer than it had since the call began.“Mrs Alvarez, I trust that whatever is happening will be addressed. Quickly.” She added, “Before it begins to reflect beyond just you.” Solene let out a breath. She knew exactly what she meant.“It’ll be handled.”“I’m glad to hear that,” Tessa replied. “We’d hate for a child so promising like Arianna to be…affected by avoidable circumstances.” ‘Avoidable,’ the word echoed.But Solene said nothing.Then Tessa’s voice came through, calm and practiced. “We’ll be in touch.” The call ended.Solene placed the phone down on the
“Why didn’t you tell me all of this, and I had to hear it from Hannah?”Solene nearly rolled her eyes. “That’s because I wasn’t bothered about it. Why would I want to burden you with something that’s in my past, Mom?”“And when that past surfaces, is it still the past?” the woman asked on the other
Solene sipped her coffee with one hand, her bag clutched in the other as she stepped into the elevator.Her phone vibrated in her bag, and she passed her coffee to Mae, reaching into the bag for it.It was a notification from Hannah.A smile tugged at her lips as she clicked on the message.It had
“If you need anything—anything at all, don’t hesitate to call me.” Her mom said at the door.Solene nodded, her smile as bright as ever. “I will.”Then Vanessa shifted her gaze to Ronan, who stood a little behind, looking worn out. “Ronan dear, please take care of my daughter.”Ronan pulled Solene’
The car drove smoothly along the almost empty road, giving the night the quiet satisfaction it deserved.Ronan sat in the backseat, his eyes fixed to an iPad in his hands as he scrolled leisurely.“And the reservation for tonight?” He asked.“Yes, sir, the—”A scratching sound cut through the line.







