Chapter 91

Eleanor's POV

I don't remember exactly how I got to Serena's apartment building. The world was spinning, and the city lights blurred into streaks of gold against the dark sky. All I knew was that I couldn't go home.

The cold concrete of her doorstep seeped through my dress as I sat there, waiting. My phone buzzed several times, but I ignored it. The world could wait. Everything could wait until Serena came home.

When I finally heard the click of heels against floor, I lifted my heavy head. There she was, key in hand, looking surprised to find me hunched by her door.

"Eleanor?" Serena's voice cut through my alcohol-induced haze. "What are you doing here?"

"You're finally back," I mumbled, my voice cracking. The sight of her concerned face made my eyes well up with tears I'd been holding back all evening. "I... I just..."

She quickly knelt beside me, her hand gentle on my shoulder. "How much did you drink?"

"Just a little... or maybe a lot." I tried to laugh, but it came out more like a sob. "I knew... I knew you'd take care of me..."

"Come on, let's get you inside." Serena helped me to my feet, steady and strong as always. The world tilted dangerously, but her arm around my waist kept me from falling.

Inside her apartment, everything was neat and familiar. She guided me to the bathroom, where I caught my reflection in the mirror - mascara smeared, lipstick faded, hair a mess. I barely recognized myself.

"Want to tell me what happened?" Serena asked as she handed me a warm washcloth. The concern in her voice made my chest tight.

"Nothing really." I focused on wiping my face, avoiding her eyes. "Just... there are some people at home I don't want to see right now."

"Eleanor..."

"I'm fine," I cut her off quickly. "Can I just... can I sleep? Please?"

She sighed but nodded, helping me into her guest room.

She didn't push, and that's why I loved her. Instead, she dimmed the lights and left a glass of water by the bed. "Get some rest. We can talk in the morning if you want."

Just as I was settling under the covers, my phone buzzed again. This time, Serena glanced at the screen before handing it to me.

"Your agent's calling."

My heart skipped when I saw the name.

"Eleanor? We need to talk." Something in Alice's tone made me sit up straighter. "It's about you and Director Gillard."

Just hearing his name sent an unwelcome flutter through my chest. I pressed my fingers against the bedspread, steadying myself. "What about us?" I kept my voice carefully neutral.

"Photos are circulating online of you two together. The media's already running with it."

My fingers went cold. "What photos?"

"Listen, I'm sending you the links now, but-"

I was already pulling up the news sites. The headlines hit me like a physical blow:

*"Rising Star Eleanor Yates and Award-Winning Director Jace Gillard: Hollywood's New Power Couple?"*

*"Exclusive: Inside Eleanor and Jace's Secret Romance"*

The first shot showed Jace and I outside the mansion. Even though we were clearly standing apart, the media had spun their own narrative. They claimed we were having a lovers' quarrel, embarrassed at being caught by paparazzi.

"Let me see," Serena leaned closer to look at my phone screen. I tilted it toward her, my hand surprisingly steady despite my racing heart.

"Look at this," I pointed to the second photo. "They're comparing it to an earlier blurred photo they thought was Jace." A bitter laugh escaped me. "I can see why they made the connection though. Lucas's profile does look somewhat similar to Jace's."

"This is ridiculous," I snapped into the phone, my voice sharper than I intended.

"Eleanor." Alice's voice took on that careful tone she used when delivering uncomfortable suggestions. "Maybe we should consider-"

"No." The word came out like a whip crack.

"Just hear me out. Your image could actually benefit from this. Director Gillard's new project is generating major buzz, and a potential relationship would-"

"There is NOTHING between Jace Gillard and me." My voice trembled with the effort to keep it under control. "And there never will be. I want this shut down. Now."

My hand was shaking so badly I nearly dropped the phone. Serena had abandoned her laptop entirely, watching me with concern.

"Eleanor, be reasonable," Alice pressed. "The public loves a good romance story, especially between-"

"This isn't a story," I cut in. "This is my life. And I'm not playing this game with him again." The last words slipped out before I could stop them.

"At least consider-"

"No." I took a deep breath, forcing my voice to steady. "Release a statement. Keep it professional. Director Gillard and I maintain a purely professional relationship. That's all."

After ending the call, my fingers trembled as I pulled up Jace's contact. I hadn't called this number in years, had sworn I never would again.

I hit dial before I could second-guess myself. Each ring felt like an eternity.

"Eleanor." His voice was exactly as I remembered it - smooth, controlled, betraying nothing.

"I need you to make a statement immediately." I cut straight to the point, my words clipped and professional. "Deny any relationship between us. I'll do the same. We need to shut this down before it spirals further."

The pause that followed was barely noticeable, but I knew him well enough to recognize it as deliberate. "Of course," he said finally. "But we should align our stories first. How do we explain your presence at my door that night?"

My stomach dropped. Serena had abandoned any pretense of working on her laptop, watching me with growing concern.

"I..." The word hung in the air, incomplete.

"Take your time," Jace said, his tone maddeningly reasonable. "We need a credible explanation. The media won't accept vague statements, not with those photos circulating."

I resumed pacing, each step carrying me from one end of the bedroom to the other. "I don't know," I admitted finally, hating the weakness in my voice. "I'll think about it and get back to you."

"Eleanor-"

I ended the call before he could finish. My hand was shaking so badly I had to set the phone down on the nightstand.

"That was him, wasn't he?" Serena's quiet question made me realize I'd been standing frozen, staring at nothing. "The one you've been avoiding all this time."

A harsh laugh escaped me. "A wolf in sheep's clothing." The words came out bitter and sharp. "That's what he is - looks like a gentleman, acts like one too. Until you get close enough to see the truth." I turned to face Serena fully. "Don't let his polished exterior fool you. He's a snake in expensive suits, a predator with perfect manners."

"Eleanor..." Serena's voice was gentle, concerned.

"No." I cut her off, suddenly unable to contain the words anymore. "You don't understand. He's... he's heartless beneath that sophisticated facade. A monster in tailored clothing. Everything about him is calculated, choreographed for maximum effect."

My voice cracked slightly. "And the worst part? He's so good at it that everyone falls for the act. Everyone except those who've seen behind the curtain."

I sank onto the edge of the bed, exhaustion suddenly weighing down my limbs. "You know what makes it even more obvious? My brother." A small, genuine smile touched my lips for the first time that evening. "He's everything Jace pretends to be - loyal, sincere, someone who actually means what he says. The difference is like night and day."

My phone buzzed again on the nightstand. Jace's name appeared on the screen. I stared at it for a long moment before turning the phone face down.