“To help with what, though?”
“Mom, please, trust me. I need to get home so I can run some errands.” To her credit, she only side-eyed me suspiciously about twelve times on the ride back to my place but didn’t ask again.
“You know I’m here for you, right?”
I leaned over and gave her a kiss as she parked in front of my building. “I know, Mom. I love you so much and promise we’ll talk soon, but I need to run out and take care of a few things first.” When she hesitated, like she might hold me captive in her car, I quickly exited and ran to my building. For the first time in more than a month, I finally felt hope.
I had to take a good shower, change into some decent clothes, and then go deliver the news to Ridge in person. He would still be at the office by the time I was ready. I rushed anyway.
By the time I was ready to walk out the door, a ping from my phone gave me pause. Before I could read it, another one popped in.
DD: I am on my way over. Do not leave your house.
That was strange. How in the hell would my best friend know what I was about to go do?
DD: I mean it. Stay put.
I debated ignoring her texts but decided it wouldn’t hurt to wait a few more minutes to go see Ridge. Whatever was going on, DD never gave orders, so I knew whatever she needed to see me about had to be important.
Violet: I’m waiting for you.
I glanced down to see another text from Moreland’s fiancée.
Gabby: I’m so sorry, Vi. I don’t understand how he could do that, knowing what we do about what happened.
Violet: What are you talking about?
Gabby: Have you heard from Ridge recently?
Violet: We haven’t talked at all in a long while.
Gabby: Oh, God! I’m so sorry. You need to see this.
There was a link included in her text that I stupidly, immediately clicked on. It took me to a tabloid page and front and center was a picture of Ridge at the airport with his hands wrapped around Fiona’s waist. My heart sunk somewhere into my stomach as I took in all the other details. He was holding her and staring down into her face as she beamed a huge smile back up at him. Her hands were on his shoulders. It was a very intimate moment caught on film.
DD: Turn your phone off until I get there.
Violet: Too late.
DD: Shit. I’m speeding. Will be there soon. DO NOT DO ANYTHING STUPID!
Like what?
It wasn’t like I could run to the airport and try to stop whatever this was. I had wondered why my husband - ex-husband - hadn’t filed charges against Fiona. Maybe everyone had been wrong. Maybe they had been feeding me a bunch of horseshit to make me feel better. Ridge never fought for me, and everyone told me that it was for the best. He was giving me space. We could work it out later when cooler heads prevailed. Clearly, either they were all liars or Ridge had all of us fooled.
My eyes scanned the rest of the tabloid for more details.
Ridge Westover shocked the world when he cheated on his wife who he had always seemed blissfully wed to. The woman he cheated with, was none other than his personal assistant - Fiona Iverson. Sources close to the couple insisted that it was not what everyone thought and that Ridge was some sort of victim, but from what our photographer saw today, that couldn’t possibly be the case. The top dog of Westover Records was seen getting very up close and personal with his former assistant at the Atlanta International Airport. Afterward, the couple boarded the same flight bound for Sydney, Australia.
It was mentioned that Westover Records was looking to branch out and bring their production team to Australian shores soon, but it looks like Ridge Westover might just be bringing a brand new - or maybe not so new - love affair there with him.
There were more pictures, each just as damning as the last, including one where that bitch was up on tiptoes kissing Ridge. It looked like it might be his cheek instead of his lips, but I couldn’t tell from the angle, and the caption heavily insinuated it was heated, though from Ridge’s body language, that appeared to be a lie. I felt sick.
After throwing up what little was on my stomach once again, I made my way to the door just in time to let DD inside before she banged the damn thing down.
“Fuck, Vi. I can’t believe this bullshit.” I didn’t get a chance to respond before my best friend had me wrapped in her arms as she kicked my front door shut.
“He’s with her,” I cried into DD’s shoulder.
