Chapter 44
chapter forty-four
MARISOL
“Okay.” Eva stares down at my phone. “We can fight this.”
I take my phone from her and tuck it back into my bag. I drove straight back to Sorrento last night after visiting May and Cami. I spent the night at my place, stuffing everything I own into two suitcases and all the duffel bags I could find.
“That’s the thing, Eva. I don’t think I want to.”
Eva’s face drops. “What are you talking about?”
I got an email yesterday from an anonymous sender.
One can only assume who that is. But the email contained a folder of photos alongside a good dose of blackmail.
The photo that gnawed at me was a photo of me and André in La Sirena.
We were dancing together, his hands around my waist and mine around his neck.
I felt sick just looking at it, but even seeing it couldn’t jog my memory of that moment.
There were also photos of Leo with different women.
A few with the same woman who has blonde curly hair.
They look close. I don’t know who she is or how Julia got these photos, because I know Leo hasn’t seen anyone since we started our act.
But it doesn’t matter, because she threatened to release them alongside the headline that we had a fake relationship—unless of course I left Regina Models for good.
I either give up my dream and hold onto my reputation, or say yes to the Caribbean trip and let these photos go viral.
But it’s not even about the photos. I don’t care if everyone in the world thinks that Leo’s and my relationship isn’t real, because we know that it is.
But this really isn’t about any of that. It’s about me.
“I can’t thank you enough for how hard you’ve worked for me over the last year,” I say.
“Nope.” Eva shakes her head. “You can’t be resigning, not now.”
“I’m sorry,” I say. “But I don’t think this is meant for me anymore.”
Eva tips her head in response, her gaze knowing.
“The years of me running from my past and even my future are over. I’ve had a glimpse of what that future could look like, and I think I have to chase that more than I need to chase any kind of photoshoot or brand trip.”
A small smile plays on her face. “I have a sneaky feeling a certain tall, extremely handsome man has something to do with this.”
“It’s not because of him,” I say. “I don’t want you to think I’m giving up my life for a man because I’m not. But Leo…he reminded me of who I was before grief ruled all of my decisions. He showed me who I could be if I chose to do things differently, and I want to do things differently.”
Eva reaches across the table, taking my hand in hers. “I understand, Marisol,” she says. “As much as I hate to lose you! I understand, and I hope you find the future you deserve.”
I smile. “I think I already have.”