Chapter 30
I walk into the Marry Me production offices on my own. Ella wanted to come with me, but she’s not supposed to know anything about my time on the show, so she stays home. It’s okay, though. I have a plan, and I’m determined to make this work. I don’t need Ella’s fame or her lawyers. I will make the producers see things my way even without help.
I stride into the building, head held high and reeking of resolve. More than just my heart rides on this plan. I recognize the receptionist sitting behind the desk from all my time working here before we started filming. The cheerful woman, in her early fifties, gives me a bright smile. She was always kind. “Vivian! It’s good to see you again. What brings you here today? I thought you were released from the show.”
I match her smile, though I lift my chin and pull my shoulders back. “Hi, Claire. It’s nice to see you, too. I need to speak with whoever’s the most in charge of the Marry Me production. The highest up. It’s urgent.”
Claire’s brows shoot up, but quickly furrow. “Oh, I’m sorry. They’re all in a meeting right now.” She glances around and then ducks her head. In a whisper, she says, “Sebastian’s family is here. They’re trying to get the whole production shut down because of what Aaron said.”
I glance across the office toward the conference room. The wall is glass, but the blinds are shut. Still, I can hear the raised voices even from across the room. This couldn’t be more convenient. “Perfect,” I say. “I’d really like to speak with his family, too.”
Without waiting for permission, I cross the office and barge into the conference room. The arguing screeches to a halt. At least a dozen pairs of eyes stare at me in confusion, disbelief, and suspicion. A couple of people look curious, though, and excited. An older man in an expensive suit with a stern face frowns at me. “This is a private meeting.”
Claire stumbles into the room behind me, apologizing to her bosses. “I’m so sorry. I couldn’t stop her.”
This man must be the head honcho. Jeremiah is the highest up in the Marry Me production, so I’m guessing this man is from the network. He could have the whole production shut down and fire everyone in this room. I decide it’s him I need to convince. I meet his frown with a polite but determined gaze. “I’m sorry to interrupt your meeting, but we need to talk.”
He raises a brow at me. “And you are?”
I maintain eye contact. After going head-to-head with Sebastian so often in the beginning of the show, this man doesn’t seem so scary. I give him a bright smile. “I’m the woman who’s going to save the show.”
Quiet murmurs sweep through the room.
Looking around the conference table, I only recognize a handful of the people present. The lawyer and the quiet producer from when I agreed to sign on as a contestant seem curious to see me. “Vivian!” the producer says, breaking the stunned silence. “What are you doing here?”
I take a breath and stare him down. “Bring me back for the final rose ceremony.”
Brows fly up all around the conference table. The quiet producer clears his throat and gives me an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. That’s not how the show works. Sebastian let you go.”
I scoff. “We both know why Sebastian let me go, and it wasn’t because he doesn’t care for me. Nothing about this season has gone according to plan. If you could break the rules to get me on the show, I know you can bend them to bring me back. Think about it. A surprise twist ending for an unprecedented season.”
The quiet producer, the lawyer, and a couple other people all nod. They can’t help the hope shining in their eyes. Maybe it won’t be as hard to convince them as I thought. Before any of them say yes, a woman breaks the silence. Anger and frustration lace her tone. “I’m sorry, but, who are you?”
I blink at the woman. The scowl on her face is so familiar it sends a pang of sadness straight to my heart. Her steely gray eyes burn with a fire I recognize. It’s the same fire her son gets in his eyes when he’s angry or passionate. She’s glaring at me, but I can’t help smiling at her. “Mrs. Monroe?” I ask it as a question, but it’s clear I know the answer. She nods, and I smile at the younger woman sitting beside her. “And you must be Sophie.”
Sophie sits back, startled to be addressed by name. I flash her a bright smile. “Sebastian has told me so much about you both. I wish it were under better circumstances, but I’m glad to meet you.”
“Who are you?” Sophie asks. Her frown has been replaced with curiosity.
I pull my shoulders back and look Mrs. Monroe directly in the eyes. I push as much confidence into my voice as I’m capable of. “My name is Vivian Euling, and I’m in love with your son.”
Mrs. Monroe’s eyes bulge, and Sophie gasps.
“He loves me too.”
Mrs. Monroe narrows her eyes at me, but Sophie’s gloss over. She can’t hide her hope. “He loves you?” Mrs. Monroe asks, doubt dripping from her tone. “That man said Sebastian sent you home.”
I step further into the room and move around the conference table until I’m standing right across from Mrs. Monroe. “Have you ever heard the phrase ‘If you love something, let it go. If it comes back, that’s how you know?’”
Mrs. Monroe’s shrewd gaze softens the tiniest bit. I’m breaking through her skepticism. “There were unique circumstances surrounding my presence on the show. I needed to go home, and Sebastian needed to prove once and for all that he cares about me. He let me go because it was the right thing to do. He did it because he loves me.”
Mrs. Monroe gulps. Sophie takes her hand, and the two of them share a hopeful look.
“If I’m not there at the final rose ceremony, Sebastian will propose to Emma. Like he’s said a million times, and like that scumbag Aaron told the entire nation, Sebastian needs a wife. He’s determined. He will choose Emma, and I can’t live with that. I can’t watch him attach himself to a woman he doesn’t love out of necessity. He deserves better. And Emma deserves to be more than someone’s backup.”
I turn my stare on the producer whose name I still don’t know. “People will be disappointed if he chooses Emma. Bring me back. It’s what the nation is going to want. It’s the fairy-tale ending your show promises. The audience will go insane over it, and you know it.”
The producer and several other people slowly start nodding. Even the big boss man seems to be considering it. I think I’m golden until Mrs. Monroe speaks. “I don’t know if you’re being sincere right now,” she says to me, “but it doesn’t matter. We’re not going to let this season air. We’re shutting it down.”
All of her anger comes back, and she starts glaring at everyone and anyone who braves looking at her. I can’t blame her. Not after what Aaron did. But I can’t let her do that. “With all due respect, Mrs. Monroe, that would be a mistake.”
She turns her hostility on me, leaning forward with both of her hands pressed to the table like she’s a breath away from shooting to her feet. “A mistake? After all the horrible things that bastard accused my son of, you think I’m going to let these people put him on the television so they can paint him as some violent asshole?”
I take a breath. She’s not mad at me. She’s mad at the show. I understand that. I also understand that she loves her son and is only trying to protect him. If I thought shutting down the show would help Sebastian, I’d be right beside her with a torch and a pitchfork. But it won’t help. “That’s exactly why you have to let the show air. The accusations are already out there. If you cancel the show now, it makes it seem like everything Aaron said is true. It looks like you’re covering up Sebastian’s bad behavior.”
Mrs. Monroe and her daughter exchange another worried look. They have a long, silent debate and turn to me hesitantly. It’s Sophie who speaks next, her voice as wary as I’ve ever heard anyone. “And if they let the show air, what exactly will people see?”
It takes me a moment to get it. These two women know Sebastian. They don’t want to admit it, but they’re both afraid Aaron’s accusations are true. They’re afraid the show will only prove him right—that Sebastian is a villain.
My heart swells. “It’s true at first Sebastian was a bit…difficult. He was arrogant and broody. It was obvious he didn’t want to be there, and he couldn’t hide his distaste for 90 percent of the contestants.”
Mrs. Monroe bites her lip. Sophie sucks in a deep breath and holds it. I give them both the gentlest smile I can. “If the show airs, the nation will watch a hardened heart soften. They’ll watch a jaded man gain hope.”
Mrs. Monroe slips her arm around Sophie’s shoulder, and they both watch me with desperation in their eyes. Their expressions are pleading with me, praying that what I’m saying is true. I wish I could give them both a hug. Instead, I give them as much reassurance as I can. “They’ll see the kind of man who would rescue a traumatized woman and hold her until she feels safe. They’ll see a man who doesn’t care if the whole world has to listen to him chew because he can’t pass up a good street taco.”
Sophie barks a laugh at that.
“They’ll see a man who loves Japan because of Pokémon and futuristic toilets. A man who would spend the day in a humiliating dance lesson wearing a leotard and leggings just to make a girl’s dream come true. They’ll see a man who could go out with a different beautiful woman every weekend and jet set all over the world partying, but who instead chooses to go home every Sunday to spend his precious free time with his family. They’ll see the most thoughtful, caring, kind, genuine man in the world.”
My voice shakes, and I have to take a deep breath. My eyes are burning. But I’m not the only emotional one in the room. Both Mrs. Monroe and Sophie are dabbing at their eyes, and a few of the other women in the room are sniffling.
Mrs. Monroe looks at me with awe. “You really do love him.”
I nod. “I do. And I promise you, he loves me too. Sebastian may have joined the show because he had to, but that doesn’t mean what we feel for each other isn’t real, and I think that will be obvious to anyone who watches the show. The nation is going to fall in love with your son, Mrs. Monroe. So much that no one will even remember the money issue.”
Mrs. Monroe’s eyes spill over, and tears track down her cheeks. She shakes her head, weeping softly. “It’s not about money. Sebastian wasn’t disinherited. He won’t lose his fortune. He did it because if he doesn’t get married, our company could fall apart. Thousands of people could lose their jobs. Their stocks would plummet. It could destroy people’s livelihoods. He’s doing this for his employees. He’s going to get married no matter what because he is responsible for so many people, and he will do whatever it takes to help them.”
My tears finally escape my eyes. Of course he is. This makes so much more sense than just wanting to keep his fortune. It’s the piece of the puzzle I’ve been missing this whole time. He’s the most selfless man I’ve ever known. “He told me once that his greatest fear is of letting people down,” I say softly.
Sophie gives me a watery smile. “It’s true. He carries such a heavy burden on his shoulders. He’s been under so much pressure.”
My heart aches for Sebastian. “Then let me help him carry the load. Let the show air. Send me back for the final rose. Do an interview about the truth of your husband’s will. Let people know it’s not about the money. Let them see what a selfless man Sebastian is. If you need a fall guy, fire Aaron. Sue the shit out of him. The creep deserves it.”
The quiet producer clears his throat and says, “Actually, Aaron’s already been let go. Jeremiah too, since he’s the person who told Aaron about the stipulation in Mr. Monroe’s will.”
I am sad to admit that the most satisfied, smug, wicked smile spreads across my face. “That is the most amazing news I’ve heard in a long time.”
Sophie snorts and smirks at me. Mrs. Monroe has more decorum than her daughter, but her lips are pursed as if she’s fighting a smile and her eyes twinkle with amusement. I have a feeling I’m really going to love my in-laws. Assuming I can win this room over. And Sebastian.
I stare Mrs. Monroe down, and with all the passion I can muster, I say, “Drop whatever legal actions you’re in the process of filing, and let the network air their show. Send me back, and I promise I will love your son for the rest of my life.”
Mrs. Monroe cracks a smile. “You drive a hard bargain.”
I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. “I learned from the best.”
She grins like she knows I’m talking about her son. “All right, fine. You have a deal, Miss Euling.” She shoots a look at the man I’d deemed the big network boss. “You can have your show, if you let Vivian go back.”
The man looks at her, then looks at me, then looks at her again. His poker face is excellent, but I know he’ll go for it. There’s no good reason not to. “Very well,” he finally says. “I’m glad we’ve been able to come to an agreement.”
Cheers go up around the room, and people get up out of their seats. Several of them shake my hand. The Marry Me producer—I really need to learn his name—and the network executive approach me. “Thank you, Vivian,” the producer says. He’s all relieved smiles. “The final rose ceremony is in a week. We’ll be in touch soon.”
The network guy gives me a once-over, then holds out his hand. “It appears we owe you our thanks,” he says.
“I didn’t do it for you.”
For some reason, that makes him crack a small smile. “I’ll still take the win.”
We say our good-byes, and I hurry out the door. I’m anxious to get out of here and tell Ella the good news. Mrs. Monroe and Sophie catch me just as I step into the elevator. “Vivian! Wait!”
Mrs. Monroe smiles at me, and Sophie tackles me in an excited hug. “You have to go to lunch with us. We want to know everything.”
I laugh and return her hug. “Sorry. I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. I heard a rumor I’ll have to give the show my firstborn child if I break my NDA.” Never mind that I already told Ella everything.
Mrs. Monroe’s eyes light up. “And children are something you want?”
Whoa, now. She sounds way too excited about that. I hold up my hands. “Let’s try to get through the rose ceremony before we start talking about kids. Maybe a few years after that, too. I’m only twenty-three.”
Mrs. Monroe sighs playfully. “A grandmother can dream.”
Sophie smacks her mother’s arm. “Stop. You’ll scare her away, and Seb hasn’t sealed the deal yet.”
I shake my head and chuckle. My days of being afraid of Sebastian are over. I’m all in. “Lunch sounds great.”