“I also didn’t cause Stella’s unfortunate visit to the hospital. What happened to her was an accident and I’m glad that she’s currently recovering in private. To the paparazzi who used that as a means of drama, you’re sick and I hope you know karma’s real.”
The entire crowd leaned in at Emily’s words. Reporters especially drew closer, their pens poised and electronic devices being typed away at.
“And that man in the pictures is neither a sugar daddy nor a director.” She released a deep breath. “This isn’texactly how we planned on telling everyone, but we’re happy to finally share it anyway.”
She gave Nicolas a look, her eyes pouring out all the sentiments she felt for him in that moment.
“Ladies and gentlemen, meet my husband, Nicolas Re.”
Cameras flashed at their fastest speed, voices shouted out inquiries and fans screamed loudly. If she’d thought what happened before was bad, this was sheer madness.
“Cameron!” She heard Nicolas shout. “Call the others to help us leave!”
“Yes, sir!”
The bodyguard spoke into his microphone and two other men appeared from backstage in the blink of an eye.
“Let’s go,” Nicolas issued, gently brushing her cheeks.
Stunned, Emily simply nodded and let him guide her, leaving everyone else with the most shocking news of the new year.
54
Camera flashes popped in the distance, muffled by the walls of the venue. Nicolas’s hand pressed firmly against Emily’s lower back as he guided her to the waiting car. Two bodyguards followed, Cameron walking before them.
Emily exhaled. The secret was out. This chapter of their lives was finally behind them. Now, they could start a brand one.Happily.
The parking lot was surprisingly empty. When Cameron went and spoke to a valet dressed in all black, Emily realized Nicolas had arranged for it to be that way. He’d planned for them to leave together.
“Are you okay?” Nicolas whispered, his eyes scanning her face.
She opened her mouth to reply, but their heads snapped to Cameron when he stepped back in a quick flash, his arms raised with a…is that a gun?
Why was he pointing a gun at the worker?
“You’ve got some nerve showing up here.” The head bodyguard’s tone was dark.
Nicolas’s body instinctively shielded Emily, gathering her to stand behind him. Still, she poked her head out in time to catch the valet removing his black cap, a smile creeping onto his face.
Emily felt like she’d been submerged in ice water.
Damien.
Her past stalker.
His eyes locked onto her, twinkling in delight.
Slowly, his gaze trailed up to the barrier between them, Nicolas, and his jaw tightened.
“Couldn’t miss it for the world,” Damien drawled, “It’s Emily’s return to the big screen after all. And Iamher biggest fan,” he referred to Cameron’s statement.
Damien looked at her again, eyes softening it into something disturbingly sweet. “Did you get my flowers, sweetheart?”
Emily froze, her stomach twisting.
The lilies and the card.
It had been him. Not Stella. Not Adrianna.
