Chapter 75
Nick’s voice came through the phone, almost too calm for my liking. “Look, Scarlett, don’t let this bother you. It’s just a bunch of rumors, and people always make a mountain out of a molehill. We need to stay focused and not let this get to us.”
I clenched my teeth, trying to keep my frustration in check. “Nick, this isn’t just some rumor. You saw what they’re saying about me. I’m being dragged through the mud because of you, and now my life is in chaos.”
There was a long pause before he finally spoke again, his tone shifting slightly. “Scarlett, I didn’t want any of this to happen, but I can’t control what the media says or how people react. You know how this works.”
I pressed my hand against my forehead, trying to suppress the headache that was building. “You can’t control what the media says, but you can control your actions. Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier? And why did you let me get caught up in this mess? Do you have any idea what Ashton’s going to think about all of this?”
“Look, I get it,” Nick replied, his voice softening. “But what’s done is done. I’ll handle it, okay? I’ll clean up the mess.”
I didn’t respond immediately, my mind racing through all the consequences of this situation. Ashton’s coldness towards me, the gossip at the office, and the fact that my personal life was being splashed across headlines—it all felt like too much to handle at once.
Finally, I said, “Fine. But you need to fix this. I can’t be the one to clean up your mess.”
After hanging up, I sat at my desk, the weight of everything sinking in. My mind drifted back to Macy and our conversation about John. I could feel the panic still simmering inside me. He could be out there, lurking, and I couldn’t let my guard down now, not when so many things were falling apart.
I needed to talk to Ashton. But with the lock changed, and the news spreading like wildfire, I wasn’t sure what to expect anymore. Would he even help me, or had I completely lost his trust?
The ringing of my phone jolted me back to the present. I glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Ashton. My heart skipped a beat.
Swallowing my nerves, I answered, “Ashton.”
“Scarlett,” his voice came through, distant but clear. “We need to talk.”
My stomach churned. I hadn’t expected him to reach out so soon, especially after everything that had happened. But hearing his voice, it was like a faint glimmer of hope. Maybe this conversation would give me the answers I needed.
“Where are you?” he asked, the sharpness in his tone making it clear that he was in no mood for small talk.
“I’m at the office,” I said quietly, trying to steady my breathing.
“I’ll be there in thirty minutes,” he replied. “Don’t go anywhere.”
I hung up, feeling both relieved and terrified. I didn’t know what he was thinking, but I knew one thing for sure: This was the moment that would decide everything.