32. Theo
32
THEO
T he door slams behind me harder than I intended, the sound ricocheting through the quiet house. My chest heaves as I pace the length of the living room, one hand tangled in my hair, the other clenched at my side.
Grace’s interview plays on repeat in my mind—her poised expression, her calm, measured words—and the bile rises in my throat when I think about Alexia’s pathetic attempt to derail it.
The interview was a last-minute thing, so how did Alexia even know it was happening? Why is she in London?
If Alexia found out, did Andrew?
How dare she?
Grace has worked so hard on the shelter and all the PR surrounding it. For Alexia to come in and try to derail it is rage-inducing.
Alexia had the audacity to try to twist it, to make it about her petty, vindictive agenda.
If I ever see her again…
I stop pacing and take a deep breath. My anger is a live wire, sparking and hissing, but there’s something else beneath it, steady and grounding. Pride.
Grace didn’t just handle Alexia’s attack—she rose above it.
When Alexia had tried to make a scene with her accusations, Grace had turned the conversation back to the shelter with such finesse that even I—who knows her better than anyone—was left in awe.
I replay her words:
“I think it’s important to focus on the positive impact we can have on our community.
The shelter will give so many women a chance to rebuild their lives, and that’s what truly matters.”
She’d smiled then, genuine and radiant, and even through the TV screen, it was impossible not to feel the warmth of her conviction.
The shelter’s website had crashed within minutes of the interview airing, flooded with donations and inquiries. Grace had turned Alexia’s spite into something good, something meaningful.
If that isn’t the definition of grace…well, her name fits her better than I deserve.
The buzz of my phone pulls me from my thoughts. I glance at the screen, expecting another message about the interview. Instead, it’s an unknown number. I hesitate, but curiosity wins out.
“This is Theo.”
“Mr. Rossi, my name is Blake Lawson.
I’m an attorney representing several individuals who...”
He pauses, his voice tight.
“Who have been targeted by Alexia Carter?
I’ve been trying to get in touch with you.”
My grip tightens on the phone. “Why?”
“I believe your experience with Miss Carter could be pivotal in exposing a pattern of behavior.
She’s recently accused a local construction company owner of misconduct—a man who happens to be a personal friend of mine.
As I’ve looked into her past, it’s become clear that this isn’t an isolated incident.
She’s done this to multiple men, in various ways, over several years.”
I sit heavily on the couch, my anger momentarily replaced by cold disbelief. “You’re telling me she’s done this before? To other people?”
“Yes, and the damage she’s caused is staggering.
Financial ruin, reputations destroyed… some men have even faced legal consequences for things they didn’t do.
But it’s a house of cards, Mr. Rossi.
If enough people come forward, we can take it down.”
For a moment, I’m speechless. The memory of what Alexia tried to do to me burns like an old scar. The lies she spun, the way she twisted the truth to suit her narrative…
I’d thought it was personal, a targeted attack. But now, knowing I wasn’t the only one? It’s infuriating and, oddly, relieving all at once.
It’s a money grab, I’m sure.
She wants to bribe people to pay her off. She wants the attention that comes with going public, especially in my situation.
How many magazines paid her a fortune for an interview?
“What do you need from me?” I ask.
“A statement, for starters. Something to corroborate what we already know. It’s important to show a pattern; your story could encourage others to come forward. There’s strength in numbers.”
I lean back, running a hand over my face. “Yeah, I’ll do it. If it helps stop her from doing this to anyone else, I’m in.”
Lawson’s relief is palpable, even through the phone.
“Thank you, Mr. Rossi.
This isn’t an easy thing to do, but your courage could make all the difference.
If we’re successful, Alexia Carter could face serious consequences.
We’re talking about the possibility of a life sentence for her crimes.”
A life sentence.
The weight of it settles over me. She tried to ruin my life, and now it’s her own life that might be on the line. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a grim satisfaction at the thought.
“Do you want a written statement?”
“No, if you don’t care that I record, I can get everything over the phone now, and then we’ll be done. I may have questions, but for the most part, I’m trying to establish a pattern.”
“Certainly.”
“Start from the beginning, how you met and when things spiraled out of control.”
I do as he asks, starting from the initial meeting where his ex-boyfriend was abusive and they got into a fight.
“If I can interrupt, do you have a name for this gentleman?”
“I believe she called him Eric. I can get a photo of him, though. We went back to get all of that because she said she was worried he’d come there to kill her.”
“This sounds familiar,” he sighs. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same man and just part of her scam.”
I blow out a breath.
How disgusting.
“I gave her a job after telling her that I didn’t want a relationship with her.
She started trying to file sexual harassment charges through whoever she could.
She claimed that I came on to her, made her feel uncomfortable, etc.
None of it happened, but it was her word against mine.”
“She’s done the same thing with my client, and about everyone she’s ever worked for.”
I’m not surprised now.
I recount the story from beginning to end for him. He makes grunts and sighs through a lot of it. We wrap up the call, and I’m left staring at the phone in my hand, the anger I’d felt earlier replaced by a quieter, more determined energy.
This isn’t just about me. It’s about every man she’s hurt, every lie she’s told, every life she’s tried to destroy. Maybe her reign of terror will be over soon.
My phone buzzes again, and this time it’s Grace. I answer immediately.
“Hey,” she says, her voice soft but steady. “How are you?”
I glance at the TV, where the interview is playing on repeat. “Proud. You were amazing, Grace. Truly.”
She laughs, a sound that eases the tension in my chest. “Thanks. It wasn’t easy, but I…I’m glad I did it. The shelter needed the exposure, and if it helps even one woman, it’s worth it.”
“It’s going to help a lot more than one,” I say firmly. “The donations are pouring in, and the way you handled Alexia…you were brilliant. I don’t know how you kept your cool.”
“Years of practice,” she jokes, but there’s a hint of weariness in her tone. “She’s not worth losing sleep over.”
I want to tell her about the call with Lawson, about what Alexia’s been doing to other men, but I hold back. Grace has enough on her plate without adding this to it.
For now, it’s enough to know that justice is finally within reach.
“You’re incredible, you know that?” I say instead.
“I have my moments,” she replies, and I can hear the smile in her voice. “I’ll be home soon.”
“Good, I can’t wait to get my arms around you.”
As we hang up, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. I just hope we can handle the situation with Andrew as effectively as this Alexia thing is being handled.
I blow out a breath and shake my head.
Why do people have to be so crazy and act like this?
Why can’t they just leave others alone?
I call Devon; he picks up on the second ring.
“I just had an interesting phone call.”
“Oh yeah, what about?”
“A lawyer called about Alexia.
It seems she’s attacking a construction company owner with her crazy, and he’s fighting it.
The lawyer told me he’s been reaching out to former employers and anyone she’s filed things against, and it seems it’s all the same MO.”
“I found the same things. Then, none of those men were willing to come forward. Did you tell him that you’d make a statement?”
“Yeah, he recorded our conversation. Do you still have the photo of her ex? He’s wondering if she doesn’t use someone to show up and threaten her.”
“Ooof, I hadn’t thought of that. It makes sense. I have it; if you get his information, we can send it to him. Anything that helps put her away, the better.”
“It’s nice to feel like this chapter might be ending. If only the Andrew stuff were looking the same way.”
“I’m working on it,” he groans. “This has been a nightmare but it’s refreshing to know that there could be an end in sight there too.”
“Keep me posted.”
We hang up, and I go downstairs to see what Maggie is cooking for dinner. Grace walks through the door, a smile plastered on her face. I walk over and hug her tightly.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” she says softly. “How about we go to these interviews together in the future.”
“Alexia’s attack might have been worse if I was there today.”
“Who cares? I can handle manipulative women like her. She probably would have shown her ass a little more, though.”
“Possible. I’ve got lots to tell you,” I breathe as I kiss her softly.
We sit down at the dining room table to start dinner as Maggie fusses at bringing us food.
I smile back at my fiancé.
This couldn’t be more perfect.