Page 62 of The Ruin
“What makes you so sure a divorce is in your future?” Mateo prods, topping off my glass with the last of the rosé.
I let out a sigh. “We can’t stay married after I went onTMZand told the world the whole thing was a sham. And even if Luka did still want me, he wouldn’t want to risk the agency’s image by staying together. DRM’s future is the most important thing. He made that crystal clear to the Maxilene rep I heard him talking to.”
“Mmm,” Mateo says, watching me glug down the booze in my hand.
He gets up and heads to the kitchen, and I hear him banging around in the fridge for a minute before the telltale sound of a cork popping hits my ears.
“Part of me is glad the truth is finally out, but at the same time, fuck Monica for doing this,” I say, as he comes back in with a fresh bottle of wine. “I don’t even know what she hoped to accomplish, other than ruining my career, my marriage, and my reputation. Why does she hate me so much?”
“Forget her,” Mateo says. “You’ve admitted everything. She has no more ammunition against you now—you’re free. If anything, she’s made herself look bad for blabbing, and if this does any long-term damage to Danica Rose, she’s put her own career on the line too.”
“I guess you’re right. I know I did the right thing, Mat. So why does it feel so bad?” I flip open the box of thin-crust white pizza we ordered an hour ago and grab a cold slice, taking a small bite. My appetite has basically been at level zero since all of this went down.
“Because you lost it all,” he says. “At least, you think you did. But it only seems that way right now. I promise everything’s gonna look different in time. Not too much time, either.”
I scowl at him and drop the rest of the slice. It tastes like ash in my mouth.
“You’re saying someday I’ll look back on this and realize it was all for the best?”
My best friend shrugs, offering a gentle smile. “Something like that.”
“I wish I believed you. Maybe we can both fly back to LA together next week.”
“I’d love to have you come with me, but you can’t hide from your husband forever,” Mateo tells me gently. “Why don’t we plan a trip for you once this is all figured out?”
“Fine,” I grumble. I know he’s right. It’s just not what I wanted to hear.
Leaning my head on his shoulder, I reach for the remote, but he tugs it from my hand.
“I need a break from all the marathoning,” he says. “My brain is mush. Let’s watch something different tonight.”
“Sure. Just notThe BachelororLove Island. No romance.”
“Deal.”
Mateo flicks through the channels, not seeming to find what he wants. I’m about to grab the remote back when he finally settles on one of those gossip-fueled entertainment channels.
“You seriously want to watch this?” I ask. “Haven’t we had enough of—”
And then the words die in my throat, as Luka’s face fills the screen.
My chest aches, my fingers itching to touch his handsome face.
“What is this?”
Mateo shrugs. “I don’t know. Looks like he’s giving an interview.”
Behind him and the show host, I see the all-too-familiar sight of Luka’s living room, along with the name of the show, which appears for a moment above them in graphic neon letters:Celebrity Chat. It’s the same show where Luka and I gave our very first interview together as a couple, when we publicly announced our engagement so many months ago.
“We’re thrilled to have Danica Rose Management’s VP of Talent Luka Zoric here today to address the agency’s latest public relations scandal,” the host is saying on the screen, all sympathetic smiles and fake concern. “We’ll hear from him after this commercial break.”
My stomach clenches. I’m sure Luka is gearing up to defend Danica Rose Management, to say how shocked he was to learn of my betrayal. How the agency had nothing to do with my scheme and how they’re planning to cancel my contract and cut all ties.
“Of course he’s on TV,” I say to Mateo. “He’s got to protect his image. Do damage control. Put out the fires, as Stefan would say.”
Mateo puts his arm around me and squeezes, and I steel myself for what I’m about to hear. I know exactly how this is going to go, and I expect Luka will double down on everything I said in my interview. It’s the only way to save DRM. Stefan probably set the whole thing up.
My mind strays to Tori and the baby, to Emzee. All the family I’ll lose because of this.
