XXV

Summer Preston

Solené walked over to the woman I now knew as Drew and whispered something in her ear.

Nolan caught my eye, raising an eyebrow as if to ask if I knew what was going on.

I shook my head, frustration bubbling in my chest.

Nolan sighed, tossing his trash and pushing his chair in before switching off the TV. Then, he made his way over to me.

"Okay, I know you heard her call Sol baby, but I don't think you should panic—"

"You don't think I should panic?" I snapped. "Some random bitch waltzes in here and now she's calling my girlfriend baby?"

"She could just be some obsessed ex. Just wait for Solené to explain."

"You're right. I'll wait," I said, forcing a smile.

"No, Summer. I know that look. Don't go causing—"

"Just hold my stuff," I said, dropping everything at his feet and patting his shoulder.

As I stalked toward Solené and fucking Drew, I barely registered Nolan calling Adrianna, telling her to come downstairs. I didn't care. My focus was on my girlfriend—and what looked like someone else's.

I stopped next to Solené, whose expression was unreadable. She looked stressed.

When she noticed me, her shoulders tensed. "Summer, go back over there with Nolan. Just let me handle this."

"You want me to let you handle this alone? She just called you baby. The only person who should be calling you that is me. Your girlfriend."

Drew's eyes lit up. She smirked at me.

"Aww, Sol, you're cheating on me?" she mocked.

My jaw clenched. "What the fuck do you mean she's cheating on you?"

"Solené didn't tell you?" Drew's gaze flicked between us, her smirk widening.

"Apparently not," I deadpanned.

Drew let out a dramatic sigh. "Solené and I are married." She gave me a slow, deliberate once-over before scoffing. "Or at least, I thought we were—until she ran off to play house with you."

I stared at her. "Married?"

"She's lying," Solené said quickly, but Drew just kept going.

"You didn't know?" she asked, feigning surprise. "That's cute. Sol's got a thing for keeping secrets, huh?"

I took a step closer. "Don't look at me like that."

Drew laughed. "Relax. It's just funny to me. I mean... you? Really?" She wrinkled her nose like I was something she scraped off the bottom of her shoe. "I guess Sol always had a weakness for easy distractions."

I chuckled, low and dark, before swinging—but before my fist could connect, strong arms wrapped around my waist, yanking me back.

"Summer, I asked you once. Now I'm telling you," Solené's voice was sharp as she lifted me off the ground, carrying me away from Drew. "Go sit with Nolan and wait for me. I'll explain everything."

I didn't fight her. I didn't say a word. I just snatched my stuff from Nolan and stormed out of the building.

Just as we reached my car, Adrianna jogged up, out of breath. "What happened—"

"Not now, Adrianna," Nolan and I snapped in unison.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine. Whatever."

I unlocked the car—the car I never drive, by the way, but of course, I had been too busy trying to impress someone who had been lying to my face—and we all climbed inside.

The moment I stepped into my house, I headed straight to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of wine, and poured myself a glass.

I downed it in one go.

Then poured another.

"Summer, what the hell happened?" Adrianna asked, watching me carefully.

"Solené happened. She always happens." I scoffed, swirling my glass. "She's married."

Adrianna blinked. "To who?"

"Some woman named Drew Alden. She was arguing with Nolan in the lobby because he wouldn't let her up."

"I don't think she's really married—"

"Who the lies about marriage, Nolan?" I snapped.

"Okay," Adrianna said, raising a hand. "Deep breaths. We didn't do anything wrong. We're just trying to understand so we can help you."

I exhaled, rubbing a hand down my face. "You're right. I'm sorry. I'm just—overwhelmed."

"We know," Nolan said.

"Alright," Adrianna sighed, pulling out her laptop. "Let's look her up."

She typed Drew Alden into Google. A bio popped up instantly.

Drew Alden—Brazilian model, age 25.

18-time international Vogue cover star.

2023 Model of the Year.

Named one of Time's most influential people in the world.

I scoffed. "That bitch wasn't on any Vogue covers I saw."

Adrianna frowned. "Listen, you need to talk to Solené. I doubt she'd forget to mention she's married."

"No one should forget they're married."

"Exactly, which is why you need to hear her out."

I sighed, draining the last of my wine. "I'll think about it. I'm going upstairs."

As I brushed past them, one thought ran through my mind.

Why did I trust her again?

Solené Beckett

I watched as Summer sped off.

I knew she was upset.

And it was all my fault.

I turned back to Drew, my patience razor-thin. "Why are you here?"

She smirked. "What do you mean? I'm your wife."

"Cut the bullshit." My voice was ice. "Our 'marriage' was an agreement. Your parents planned it with mine to boost your career. I was never in love with you, and you know that."

"You loved me," Drew purred.

I stared at her, disgust curling in my chest. "The only person I've ever loved is Summer—and you will never measure up to her."

Drew's smirk twitched. "You say that now—"

"What do you need, Drew? Money? Drugs? Did you blow your last paycheck on coke again?"

"Stop fucking talking to me like I'm an addict!"

"You are an addict!" I snapped. "You begged your parents to convince mine to set up our marriage so you could be a model. And I went along with it because I felt bad for you. You got publicity from my name. You became successful because of me. But you threw it away to party with people who don't give a fuck about you."

Her face darkened.

"I told you," I continued coldly. "If you didn't get help, I was leaving. Married or not—it was never real. We were friends."

"I'm your wife—"

"You were a friend who unfortunately wears the title of my wife. But right now, you are nothing to me."

Her eyes burned with something ugly. "Your parents love me."

I let out a sharp laugh. "Same way I cut you off? I cut them off too." I stepped closer. "I'm done letting you manipulate me. Stay the fuck away from me. And stay away from Summer."

Drew was quiet for a moment, but then she scoffed, arms crossing over her chest.

"You're acting like I'm the bad guy here," she said. "Like you're some saint in all of this."

I exhaled sharply, already exhausted. "Drew, I don't have time for your games. Just tell me what you want so I can move the fuck on with my life."

Her jaw clenched. "I want you to admit you still care about me."

I laughed. "Are you serious?"

She stepped closer. "You wouldn't be this mad if you didn't."

"I'm mad because you just ruined my relationship," I snapped. "I finally found someone who makes me happy, and you waltzed in here like some psycho trying to tear it apart!"

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, please, Sol. We both know this thing with Summer isn't gonna last."

My fists clenched at my sides. "The only thing not lasting is whatever delusion you've got in your head."

"You don't even know her," Drew said, smirking. "You're just infatuated. That little honeymoon phase is gonna wear off, and then what? You'll come running back to me?"

I stepped into her space, my voice dangerously low.

"I will never come back to you."

Drew's expression flickered, but she masked it with a chuckle. "You say that now—"

"I've always said that," I cut in. "The difference is that now, I mean it more than ever."

Her smirk faltered.

"You wanna know what I see when I look at you, Drew?" I continued, my voice ice-cold. "A desperate, washed-up model clinging to something that never fucking existed in the first place."

Drew's face twisted with anger. "Fuck you, Solené."

"Already did. Didn't like it."

She lunged at me, but I was faster. I grabbed her wrist and yanked her back, voice firm.

"This is over," I said, staring into her furious eyes. "No more calls. No more showing up. You are nothing to me. Do you understand that?"

Drew yanked her arm away. "You'll regret this," she hissed.

I let out a sharp laugh. "I regret ever letting you in my life."

She glared at me for a long moment, her breathing heavy. Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the building.

I didn't move.

Didn't breathe.

I just stood there, my pulse pounding in my ears.

Then, I exhaled and pulled out my phone.

I needed to fix this.

I needed to fix this with Summer.