Chapter 28

twenty-eight

. . .

Hillary leaned back in her office chair, the familiar hum of the Muse magazine newsroom enveloping her like a comforting blanket. The clacking of keyboards and murmur of voices felt like home after a eight months away. She took a deep breath, savoring the scent of fresh coffee and printer ink.

This was where she belonged.

Her eyes drifted to the framed article sitting on her desk, her first front page piece at Muse. A small smile tugged at her lips. She had worked so hard to get here, pouring her heart and soul into every word. And now, after the tumultuous whirlwind of her relationship with Julius, she was ready to focus on her true passion—journalism.

Three months since the hellish article and while she was able to show her face in the office, she hadn’t heard from Julius even once.

“That’s fine. He told you he wanted space, and you needed to learn to navigate his world. You picked your world.” She muttered and returned her focus to the screen.

“Hillary, do you have a moment?” Ethan’s smooth voice cut through her concentration as she typed away at her latest article. She glanced up, surprised to see him of all people standing at her desk, wearing the incognito hat and glasses he wore throughout filming.

“Ethan, what are you doing here?” Hillary asked, her brows furrowed in confusion. After the scandalous photos of her and Ethan surfaced they’d dealt with it head on and not spoken since.

He stepped closer to her desk, keeping his terrible disguise on. “I came to make you an offer,” he said, his blue eyes intense. “A chance to continue your acting career, and even get Julius back.”

Hillary’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Julius’s name. The pain of their breakup was still raw, a constant ache in her chest. But she pushed it aside, focusing on Ethan’s cryptic words. “What do you mean? My career is right here, and it’s not like your kiss ruined acting, I did that on my own. Turns out I did it to make Julius happy, not me.”

“Bullshit, you are great at it and I saw how much you enjoyed it.”

“I don’t want to make a scene, come with me and get coffee. We’ll talk there.”

She stood and brushed past him without a word, not really caring if he followed her to the elevator or not. Only once she got on and turned did she see him there beside her.

“Hillary—”

“Coffee. Hush.”

As the elevator went to the fourth floor where a makeshift coffee shop had been created for the building while she was gone making it much easier to get Olivia coffee than before. Not that she still did that, coffee runs. She tried to keep her breathing steady. She’d gained so much confidence on set, and she didn’t want Ethan’s sudden appearance to burn that away.

The elevator chimed, and she stepped out, again not caring if Ethan followed as she approached the counter and ordered before stepping to the side and waiting for her coffee. Ethan did the same and somehow managed to keep quiet while they waited for their drinks.

Hillary blinked, pulling herself out of the memory. She had taken Ethan up on his offer that day, and true to his word, he had helped her weather the storm of scandal and keep her career intact. But Julius, that was a different story.

She shook her head, pushing thoughts of her lost love aside. She had work to do, stories to uncover.

Hillary’s fingers tightened around the steaming mug of coffee as it was handed to her before moving to a table and taking a seat. Her eyes locked on Ethan as he settled into the seat across from her. The bustling café faded into the background, the chatter of patrons and the hiss of the espresso machine melting away until all that remained was the tension between them.

“I’m sorry, Hillary,” Ethan began, his voice low and sincere. “I clearly misread your attraction to me. I thought...” He trailed off, shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter what I thought. I was wrong, and I’m sorry.”

Hillary’s jaw clenched, a flicker of anger sparking in her chest. “You’re damn right you were wrong,” she snapped, her voice trembling slightly. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? What your little stunt cost me?”

Ethan leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. “I know, and I’m truly sorry. But Hillary, you have to believe me when I say that I was only trying to protect you. If anyone had found out about your relationship with Julius, the scandal would have been?—”

“I don’t need your protection,” Hillary interrupted, her eyes flashing. “I’m a grown woman, Ethan. I can make my own choices, my own mistakes. And how does kissing you fix a problem in dating Julius?”

Ethan sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. “I know that now. And I want to make it up to you, Hillary. I want to help you navigate this industry, to make sure you get the recognition you deserve. Breaking you away from him would save you when he came back from the film and realized he wasn’t as interested as he thought. Which he does with everyone he dates.”

Hillary’s brow furrowed, a flicker of doubt creeping into her mind as she tried to ignore what he said about Julius. Could she really trust Ethan, after everything that had happened? But the sincerity in his eyes, the genuine remorse in his voice... maybe he truly did want to help her.

“How?” she asked, her voice guarded. “How can you possibly make this right?”

Ethan’s lips curved into a small smile. “By being your ally, your friend. By introducing you to the right people, helping you network and build your brand. And maybe, just maybe, by finding a way to bring you and Julius back together.”

Hillary’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Julius, a painful longing twisting in her chest. Could Ethan really help her win him back? Or was it just another empty promise, another way for him to manipulate her?

She bit her lip, torn between her pride and the desperate desire to salvage her relationship with Julius. Could she really trust Ethan, the man who had inadvertently caused this whole mess in the first place? But what choice did she have?

“Julius and have been through the shit over the years. We’re back on together next month, he’ll be talking to me. Can you say the same for you? Let me help make things right. I am a sore loser, but I’m not an ass.”

“Okay,” she heard herself say, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll let you help me. I’m not saying I want to act, but I don’t want to be the only one not talking to Julius.”

A slow smile spread across Ethan’s face, his eyes glinting with something Hillary couldn’t quite place. “You have my word, Hillary. I won’t let you down.”

She took a deep breath, weighing her options. In the end, what choice did she have? Ethan was offering her a lifeline, a chance to salvage her career and her heart. And despite everything, a small part of her wanted to believe him, to trust in the sincerity shining in his eyes.

“Okay,” she said softly, her fingers tightening around the mug. “I’ll let you help me. But Ethan, if you pull a stunt like that again, if you even so much as think I have a sexual attraction to you?—”

Ethan reached across the table, his hand coming to rest gently on hers. “I won’t, Hillary. I promise you that. From now on, I’m in your corner. I think you’re too good for Julius, but I fucked up, and I did enjoy our friendship while filming.”

Hillary nodded, “I know just how you’re going to help me.” She pulled out her phone and brought up an email. “You’re going to take me to this and ensure no scandals occur.” Sliding the phone across the table, she waited as he read the email and nodded.

The glittering ballroom was a sea of elegance and opulence as Hillary stepped through the arched entryway, her hand resting lightly on Ethan’s proffered arm. She drew in a shaky breath, her eyes widening as she took in the lavish decor, the twinkling chandeliers casting a soft glow over the mingling guests.

“Relax,” Ethan murmured, his lips brushing her ear as he leaned close. “You look stunning, and you belong here just as much as anyone else. Julius wasn’t wrong about you, you were made to be here, even if your anxiety gets the better of you, you’ll learn.”

Hillary smoothed a hand over the silken fabric of her gown, a small smile playing on her lips. Ethan had insisted on arranging her attire for the evening, and she had to admit, he had impeccable taste. The deep emerald dress hugged her curves, the color bringing out the vivid green of her eyes.

As they made their way through the crowd, Hillary couldn’t help but marvel at the ease with which Ethan navigated the social currents. He greeted people with warm smiles and firm handshakes, his charm and charisma drawing them in like moths to a flame.

“Hillary, I’d like you to meet Dia Fairchild,” Ethan said, guiding her toward a statuesque woman with silver-streaked hair and a regal bearing. “Dia is one of the most influential talent agents in the city.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Fairchild,” Hillary said, extending her hand with a shy smile.

Dia’s appraising gaze swept over her, a flicker of recognition sparking in her eyes. “Ah, yes. Hillary Mitchell, the rising star and journalist at Muse Magazine. I’ve read your series. Quite impressive. I can’t wait to see how the premiere article turns out. Not to mention the film. I know your agent was thrust on you, but if things go well, perhaps you’ll hear from me.”

Hillary’s cheeks turned a rosy shade as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The compliment made her hands stop trembling and gave her the confidence to continue speaking.

“Thank you. That means a great deal coming from someone with your reputation.”

As the evening wore on, Hillary found herself drawn into conversations with directors, producers, and fellow actors, each new introduction facilitated by Ethan’s smooth interventions. She marveled at his ability to read the room, to sense when she needed rescuing from an uncomfortable exchange or when to push her gently into the spotlight.

“You’re doing great,” Ethan whispered, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back as they stopped by the bar. “Just remember, you deserve to be here. You have something special, Hillary. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.”

Hillary met his gaze, a genuine smile curving her lips. In that moment, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude toward him. Maybe, just maybe, Ethan Cole wasn’t quite the villain she had made him out to be.

As the charity event drew to a close, Ethan insisted on seeing Hillary home. The cool night air wrapped around them as they walked side by side, the city’s pulse thrumming in the distance. Hillary’s mind buzzed with the evening’s conversations, the faces and names blurring together in a kaleidoscope of possibility.

“You really held your own tonight,” Ethan said, breaking the silence. “I meant what I said earlier, Hillary. You could have anyone you wanted, any role you desired. If only you wouldn’t hide behind your fears.”

Hillary glanced at him, her brow furrowing. “I’m not hiding. I just know my limits.”

Ethan stopped, turning to face her fully. His blue eyes gleamed with intensity, his voice low and earnest. “I meant what I said. Julius was right about you. He saw your potential, even if his methods were misguided. The whole world is going to see it in a few months. You shouldn’t run from acting just because he made your relationship crumble. You’re more than just Julius Theon’s former arm candy, Hillary. You have a fire inside you, a talent that deserves to be seen.”

His words hung in the air between them, heavy with truth. Hillary swallowed hard, her heart racing. Deep down, she knew he was right. She had let her fear of failure, of being exposed, dictate her choices for far too long.

“Thank you, Ethan,” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper. “For everything tonight. For believing in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. Maybe you’re not the jerk I summed you up to be after that stunt.”

Ethan smiled, a genuine warmth softening his features. “Anytime, Hillary. I’m here for you whenever you need me.”

With a final nod, he turned and melted into the night, leaving Hillary alone on her doorstep. She watched him go, a strange mixture of emotions swirling within her. Gratitude, confusion, and a small, flickering spark of something she couldn’t quite name.

Inside her apartment, Hillary leaned against the closed door, her mind reeling. Ethan’s words echoed in her head, mingling with the memories of Julius, of their shared passion for storytelling. She loved Julius, there was no denying that. And her love for writing, for uncovering the truth, would always be a part of her. But acting...acting had ignited something within her, a thrill she couldn’t ignore.

Maybe there was more for her than a single movie, a fleeting brush with the spotlight. Maybe, just maybe, she had the strength to chase her dreams, to reach for something greater. The possibilities stretched out before her, vast and untamed, and for the first time in a long time, Hillary felt a flicker of genuine excitement for what the future might hold.

Her fingers itched to reach for her phone, to tap out a message to Julius. To ask him to meet, to talk things through. He had promised to help her navigate this new world, to be her guide and her support. But the memory of his anger, the way he had walked away without a backward glance, stopped her short.

No.

She couldn’t go bothering him, not now. Not when she was just beginning to find her own strength, her own voice. Julius had left her to fend for herself, and while a part of her ached at the thought, another part whispered that maybe, just maybe, it was for the best.

Hillary pushed herself away from the door, her steps carrying her further into the apartment. She paused by the window, gazing out at the city lights that twinkled like stars against the velvet sky. A world of possibility lay before her, and for the first time, she felt ready to face it head-on.

“I don’t need him,” she whispered, the words a quiet affirmation in the stillness of the night. “I can do this on my own.”

It was time to step into the spotlight, to claim her place in the world, and to let her own light shine. Julius gave her a gift with his love, and she wasn’t going to lose it just because he was gone from her life.