CHAPTER 18: The Morning After

I woke up alone.

For a moment, I panicked. Last night—the kiss, the proposal, the promise to make this real—had it all been a dream?

Then I saw the note on my nightstand.

"Had to go to the office early. James's interview dropped at 6 AM. Don't read it. I'll handle everything. -A"

Don't read it.

Of course I was going to read it.

I grabbed my phone and pulled up People Magazine's website. The headline made my stomach turn.

"JAMES STERLING SPEAKS: 'My Father Betrayed Me With the Woman I Loved'"

There was a photo—James looking wounded and sympathetic in an expensive suit. The subtitle read: "Exclusive: Sterling heir opens up about family scandal, heartbreak, and moving forward."

I scrolled down, knowing I shouldn't but unable to stop myself.

"She was the love of my life," James says, his voice breaking. "I was planning to propose. I'd even bought the ring. Then one mistake—one argument—and she was gone. The next thing I know, she's pregnant with my father's child."

A lie. Complete fabrication. He'd been cheating for months. There had been no ring.

But the article continued, painting me as a vengeful ex who'd seduced his father for revenge and money.

"I don't blame my father entirely," James continues. "She's very... convincing. Young, beautiful, vulnerable. She knew exactly what she was doing."

My hands were shaking. This was character assassination. Deliberate and cruel.

"The worst part," James says, "is that my father has chosen her over me. His own son. We haven't spoken in weeks. All because of her."

The door to my room opened. Alexander stood there, still in yesterday's clothes, looking exhausted.

"You read it."

"You knew I would."

He crossed to the bed, sitting beside me. "It's all lies, Bella. Everyone who matters knows it's lies."

"Do they? Because from where I'm sitting, it looks pretty convincing." I showed him the phone. "He's playing the heartbroken victim perfectly."

"Let him play. We know the truth."

"The truth doesn't matter if no one believes it."

Alexander took the phone from my hands, setting it aside. "Look at me."

I met his eyes.

"James is trying to control the narrative because he's lost control of everything else. His relationship with me. His standing at the company. His dignity. This interview is desperation, not power."

"It doesn't feel like desperation. It feels like he's winning."

"He's not." Alexander's hand found mine. "We're releasing our own statement this morning. Announcing our engagement. Showing a united front."

My stomach flipped. "Already?"

"The ring is being sized. Should be ready by this afternoon. We'll do a photo—something simple, intimate. Show them we're happy. In love. Building a life together."

In love. Were we? He'd said he was falling for me. I was definitely falling for him. But love felt like a big word for whatever this complicated thing between us was.

"What if they don't believe it?" I asked.

"Then we prove it to them. Day by day. Until they have no choice but to believe."

---

The statement went out at nine AM.

"Alexander Sterling and Bella Martinez are pleased to announce their engagement. They are excited to build a life together and welcome their first child in March. They appreciate the support and well-wishes during this happy time."

The response was immediate.

T*****r exploded. Half calling it romantic, half calling it damage control. Entertainment sites ran split screens—James's tearful interview on one side, our engagement announcement on the other.

"STERLING FAMILY WAR: Father and Son Battle Over the Same Woman"

Claire cornered me at my desk. "Oh my God, you're engaged?"

"As of last night."

"Bella, that's—congratulations?" She looked confused. "Is this happy news?"

"It's complicated news."

"Everything about your life is complicated news." She sat on the edge of my desk, lowering her voice. "But are you happy? That's what matters."

Was I happy?

Scared, yes. Overwhelmed, absolutely. But underneath all that—

"Yeah," I said, surprising myself. "I think I am."

"Then screw everyone else. You're having a baby with a man who clearly cares about you. That's more than most people get."

After she left, I stared at my computer screen, not really seeing the marketing reports in front of me.

A man who clearly cares about you.

Did he? Last night felt real. The kiss felt real. But in the harsh light of morning, with James's interview painting me as a manipulative villain, everything felt uncertain again.

My phone buzzed. Alexander.

ALEXANDER: Ring is ready. Can you meet me at the lobby at noon?

ME: For what?

ALEXANDER: Photos. For the announcement.

ME: We're really doing this.

ALEXANDER: Unless you've changed your mind?

Had I? This morning had been chaos. James's lies, the media frenzy, everyone dissecting our relationship. This was my life now if I married Alexander.

But it was also my life if I didn't marry him. Single mother. CEO's baby mama. Forever linked to the Sterling family drama.

At least this way, I wouldn't be facing it alone.

ME: I'll be there.

---

The photographer was discreet—someone Alexander's PR team trusted. They'd set up a small area in a private conference room. Soft lighting. Neutral background.

"This won't take long," the photographer promised. "Just a few shots of you two together. Maybe one with the ring."

The ring.

Alexander pulled out a velvet box, opening it to reveal the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen. Not ostentatious. Just a simple platinum band with a perfect diamond. Elegant. Timeless.

"It was my grandmother's," Alexander said softly. "My mother gave it to me years ago. Said I'd know when I found the right person."

My throat tightened. "Alexander, I can't—this is a family heirloom."

"Which is exactly why I want you to have it. You're family now."

He slipped it on my finger. Perfect fit.

The photographer started shooting. "Beautiful. Now, Mr. Sterling, if you could put your arm around her—perfect. Bella, look up at him. Good. Now smile like you're in love."

I didn't have to fake it.

Looking up at Alexander, his arm around me, his grandmother's ring on my finger—it felt real. Terrifyingly, wonderfully real.

"That's perfect," the photographer said. "Just a few more."

Alexander's hand moved to my stomach—still flat, but we both knew what was growing there.

"Our baby," he murmured, just for me.

"Our baby," I repeated.

The photographer caught it—that moment of connection. Of possibility.

After she left, Alexander and I stood in the empty conference room, still holding each other.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I don't know. Ask me tomorrow after the photos run and people start dissecting them."

"They can dissect all they want. I know what I feel."

"What do you feel?"

He pulled back just enough to look at me. "Like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."

My heart did that complicated thing again.

"Even with all this chaos?"

"Especially with all this chaos." He kissed my forehead. "We're in this together, remember? Whatever comes next."

"Together," I agreed.

As we left the conference room, I caught sight of James across the lobby. He was staring at us—at my hand in Alexander's, at the ring catching the light.

The look on his face was pure hatred.

This wasn't over. James's interview had been the opening salvo. Whatever came next would be worse.

But as Alexander's hand tightened around mine, I realized something.

I wasn't facing it alone anymore.