Page 53 of Enemies Under One Roof

Fake everything.

Especially you, Ivy.

Her stomach heaved, and she feared she’d lose its minimal contents; her appetite, along with her peace of mind, had become a thing of the past.

She’d heard the whispers and speculation between her agent, publicist, stylist, make-up artist and hairdresser as they’d worked for hours to get her ready. They’d all presumed she was tense and rigid because Ben was attending the premiere tonight.

Her sob echoed around the suite. She didn’t care about Ben, all she could think about was Ethan. He’d been her only thought, like she was stuck on a loop, haunted by the last sight of him on the doorstep at WillowGlen. Like history repeating itself, except she was the reason he’d been there this time, not his mother.

He’d never forgive her.

She scrunched her eyes closed and hoped for the fortitude to erase the image from her mind for good, to be able to get through tonight.

Forever without him.

She slumped further.

Forever.

Her head pounded in agony and her eyes flung open, frantically searching for a distraction. She caught sight of the script her agent had thrust into her hands, along with the contract she’d wanted her to sign on the spot.

Instead, Annie had ordered everyone out. She needed quiet. She wanted peace, so she could wonder where Ethan was, what he was doing, whether he was thinking of her, missing her. Not to read through a script she already knew would be more of the same.

One-dimensional.

Soul-destroying.

She recalled Ethan telling her he was transforming one of his hotels into a respite centre for elderly carers. At the time she’d been so proud and moved that he could and would change his business model. Now she could pinpoint that moment as when she’d finally begun to acknowledge the feelings she’d pushed deep down for years, the feelings that made her want to transform her career, make it an avenue for meaningful, powerful and uplifting stories. Wanting him to be equally proud of her, but more than that, she wanted to be proud of herself.

Not allowing any time to second-guess herself, she walked over, picked up the contract and ripped it in half.

No matter what, she wasn’t doing any roles like that, no more degrading stereotypes, ever again. She didn’t know what her future would look like yet, but it wouldn’t include that.

Except there’d still be the matter of what she’d done to her parents.

And no Ethan in her life.

She crashed back to reality, and the tears she’d held at bay for hours ran down her cheeks.

No Ethan. Ever.

The look on his face on the doorstep, the grey tinge replacing his olive skin, the wildness in his eyes.

What did he think of her now? That she was like his parents, completely heartless towards him? Like his mother, constantly walking out on him without a backward glance? Not caring about how he was, what he was doing? Never wanting to make him the priority in her life?

Nothing was further from the truth.

She swung around and stared into the mirror again, past the clothes and make-up to the haunted look in her eyes that no amount of eye shadow, eyeliner or fake lashes could hide, to the abject misery stamped on her face at the pain she’d inflicted on Ethan.

It hit her then, that she had to tell him the truth about her past. About what she’d done and why, because the thought of him thinking she didn’t want him was worse than revealing her secret to him, the reason she’d pushed him away, thinking she’d didn’t ever deserve the happiness he represented.

She lowered her head because she knew there was more. He needed to know that she loved him with everything that was in her. He deserved the truth, the full truth from her.

Fear gripped her throat.

Would he still want her when he knew what she’d done?

Would he forgive her after she’d been so scathing and mean when she’d told him she was leaving?