Chapter 3

Victor’s POV 

The car door swung open and Jason slipped into the passenger seat. He was short, old, dressed in all black like he was headed to a funeral. 

I did not even bother greeting him. I just started the ignition and pulled away from the curb. The hum of the engine filled the car, low and steady, like a predator purring before the strike.

“Okay, Jason, what’s the latest update?”

He adjusted himself in the seat and reached into his coat pocket. “It’s confirmed. Elliot and Jonah are in a romantic relationship. And I have the evidence to prove it.”

I glanced at him briefly before turning back to the road. “Good job. Hope the evidence is damning?”

He handed me a brown envelope, and I could hear the faint rustle of glossy paper inside. I opened it with one hand, eyes still on the road. The first picture said enough. A hand on a back, a kiss exchanged, clothes rumpled in early morning light. I smiled.

“Your money will be wired to you this evening,” I said coolly, sealing the envelope again. Jason nodded without a word and stepped out of the car at the next red light.

This was the beginning. Every piece was moving exactly how I wanted.

**

Later that evening, I parked a street away from Elaine’s apartment. A few taps, a knock, and I was gone.

She opened the door seconds later, and there it was. The envelope. My little gift.

She bent down, picked it up, and flipped it open. Her eyes widened. I watched from the rearview mirror as a grin crept up her face like ivy over brick.

“Just what you needed,” the note read. Signed: V.

I didn’t need to stick around to hear her glee. I could already imagine her back pressed against the door, whispering to herself, “This month’s rent is paid. Hell, I might even take a vacation after I publish this.”

Perfect.

*****

Elliot's POV 

I pulled her in for a kiss. “Just needed some air. You know how crowds get to me.”

“You were gone a long time… and I saw a man running out of here crying. Is everything okay?”

I laughed softly. “Yeah, just a business partner. Things aren’t going well for him, financially. We had a talk.”

“You sure?” she asked, concern etched on her face.

“Positive.”

She touched my neck. “Then what are these red marks? And your lips, Elliot, they are swollen.”

Shit.

“Wasp stings,” I said quickly. “I reacted, but I’m fine now. I’ll grab a scarf. Don’t want to cause a scene.”

She eyed me, suspicious, but nodded slowly. “Okay…”

“Let’s get back,” I said, placing my hand on the small of her back and guiding her away from the mess I had created.

And just like that, I returned to the stage, the lies, and the life I no longer recognized.

*******

The loud bang on my door jerked me awake like a slap to the face.

I rubbed my eyes and sat up in bed, only to see my father standing at the foot of it, jaw tight, arms crossed.

“Dad? What is going on? What was that noise?”

“Save the questions, young man.” His voice was sharp and cold. Then he flung a stack of magazines onto the bed. They scattered around me like bricks dropped from a rooftop.

Each one had my face plastered on the cover.

Billionaire’s Son Secretly Gay?

Caught Cheating on Socialite Fiancée Clara With a Man!

And there it was. That picture. Jonah’s hand on my cheek. The kiss. The shadows of the night before, the sun of the morning after. The same image repeated on all the covers like a taunt.

I couldn’t speak. My mouth opened but nothing came out.

“Well?” Dad asked, his voice biting. “Going to explain yourself? Or are you just going to admire how photogenic you look?”

He shook his head, pacing the floor like a wolf trapped in a cage.

“This was the same guy from your engagement party, Elliot. Do you even understand what you have done?”

Still, I said nothing. My thoughts were spinning so fast I couldn’t grab one to hold onto. My heart thumped like a drum.

“I don’t have time to coax the truth out of you. Your mother can handle that part.” He stopped pacing. “Just know this, our reputation, legacy, and the company are all on the line because of you. I expect this to be handled. By tomorrow.”

Then he turned and slammed the door shut behind him, the echo shaking the walls.

I sat in silence, rubbing my face. I couldn’t breathe. I ran my hand through my hair over and over until it hurt. Everything… was falling apart.

My phone buzzed, dragging me back into the moment.

Clara 💕

I swallowed the lump in my throat and picked it up.

“El… is it t-true? What the blogs are saying?” Her voice was hoarse. She had been crying.

I shut my eyes. “Clara… have you been crying?”

“That is not the answer to my question!” she snapped. Then the sobs returned, pouring from the speaker like waves.

“I can’t explain much over the phone,” I said. “I’m coming over.”

A long pause. Then she hissed under her breath and ended the call.

–

I dressed in black from head to toe. Hoodie, face cap. Anything to keep the cameras from catching me.

Journalists swarmed outside the gates like vultures sensing blood. I slipped out the back, turned the corner, and broke into a jog. I needed distance. Air. Space to think.

By the time I got to Clara’s house, I was drenched in sweat and nerves.

“Mr. Sinclair!” A voice called out.

Shit.

“Mr. Sinclair!”

I turned, already annoyed. A woman shoved a recorder into my face.

“Is it true? The rumors in the news?”

I glared at her. “Don’t you have anything better to do than stalk people and destroy their lives?”

“Stay away from me,” I growled, low and sharp, “or I’ll have you arrested for harassment.”

I turned away before she could respond, walked up to the door, and knocked.

The maid opened. “Miss Clara is upstairs, sir.”

I nodded and made my way up, each step heavier than the last.

At her door, I heard the sobs. Soft. Heartbreaking. I closed my eyes and pushed the door open.

She looked up from her bed, her cheeks stained with tears. Her mascara had smudged. My heart broke a little.

“Now that you’re here,” she said, voice trembling, “just tell me. Is it true? What the media is saying about you and Jonah?”

I stared past her, at the picture on her dresser. One of us at the beach. She looked so happy in it.

“Yes,” I said quietly. “It’s true.”

Her expression collapsed. “And this is how I find out?” she whispered.

“No, no, I never meant for it to turn out this way.”

“So you never planned to tell me?” she snapped. “You let me believe we were in love…”

“I did not love you that way,” I interrupted. “But I cared about you, Clara. Deeply. Like a sister.”

She let out a bitter laugh. “A sister.”

“Please… don’t sound like that. You have to believe me, I never meant to hurt you.”

“Save it!” she cried. “I don’t want to hear another word. Just leave.”

I turned to go, but paused at the door.

“Clara… one last thing. Please. Don’t do something rash.”

She scoffed. “You have some nerve asking me for anything.”

“I know,” I said. “I have no right. But I have no one else. Dad won’t listen. Mom… would be crushed. If this spirals any further, I’ll be disowned. Left with nothing. Please… don’t tell anyone. Don’t make it worse.”

She stared at me, expression unreadable.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

Then I stepped out, leaving her pain, and mine, behind that closed door.