“I’m fine. But I was poking around online, reveling in your newfound fame, and I came across something disturbing. Seems like it just posted this afternoon. Chloe... they know about your father.”
Chloe froze, the phone plastered to her ear. “What do you mean?”
“They know everything. His illegal marriage to your mom, his name, the fact that he has another family, that he left and never returned...”
Dread weighted her stomach. “That’s—that’s not possible.”
“I’m so sorry.”
The whole world was now privy to her private business? Her deepest wound and hard-won scar was now exposed for a bunch of nosy fans to pick at? Not to mention how this might affect Mom and Sean.
How had this happened? It was all her fault. She was the one who’d stepped into the spotlight. Chloe cupped her forehead as shegrappled for a solution. “If it was just posted, maybe we can get it taken down.”
“I’ve been looking around. The story’s already been picked up by a few sites. People are talking about it on social media.”
“No.” There was no pulling something back once it went viral. Her eyes stung with tears. How could this be happening?
“I know this is upsetting, honey. But you didn’t do anything wrong. It was your father’s problem, not yours or your mom’s or Sean’s. The comments have been mostly sympathetic toward you guys.”
“Oh great, they feel sorry for us. How did this happen?”
The door opened, music blaring, and Sean shoved his head inside. “Mom wanted to know if you can— What’s wrong?”
Chloe was at a loss for words. And so many emotions were roiling through her that she didn’t know which one to focus on first. She put Meghan on speaker. “Sean’s here, Meghan. Can you tell him what happened? For heaven’s sake, shut the door.”
Sean did as she asked, his gaze sharpening on her. It wasn’t like her to snap.
“I was looking around online,” Meghan said, “and I came across some unfortunate information. The media knows about what your father did to you guys. They know his name and everything, and the story’s being reported on multiple sites.”
Sean pinned Chloe with a stare. “What?How did this happen?”
“I know, I can’t believe it myself. I just don’t understand how—” Chloe cut off as Sean’s eyes narrowed on her.
“I’ll tell you how it happened. You put yourself in the spotlight. You made yourself a household name. Now those vultures are crawling all over, pecking away at any carcass they can find.”
“I couldn’t have known this would happen, Sean.” Still, a wave of shame washed over Chloe. Because he was right. It didn’t explain how they’d discovered the skeleton in their closet, but she’d all but begged for their interest by entering Liam’s world.
“What site did this start on, Meghan?” Sean asked in a much gentler voice. “Can you tell?”
“Let me see. Give me a second.”
“There’s no way a reporter could’ve found this on his own, is there?” Chloe said. “There would’ve been no record of divorce. Their so-called marriage wouldn’t still be on record.”
“Mom told us she’d had it annulled, and that would’ve removed the marriage entirely from public records.”
“Then how could they have found out? Have you told anyone at all?”
“No, never. I think Mom only told Aunt Sharon and Uncle Ernie, and they would never divulge this.”
Chloe agreed. They would never humiliate Mom this way. “There’s only a handful of people who know.” She’d only ever told Meghan—and then Liam two days ago. A sick feeling stirred in her stomach. But he would never...
Sean’s gaze sharpened on Chloe’s face. “What? What are you thinking?”
“Nothing,” she said weakly.
“Guys,” Meghan said, “I think it wasPeoplemagazinewho reported the story first.”
Chloe froze. Liam had had an interview withPeopleyesterday—the day after she’d confided in him about her father. Bile rose to the back of her throat. She put her hand there as if she could stop the burning sensation. It couldn’t be true. He wouldn’t do that to her. He had to know what a sensitive subject this was, and he cared about her. Didn’t he?
