Chapter 56

Fiona

The embarrassment I feel churning in my chest isn’t from shame. Quiet the opposite, actually. The thought of being with Ethan for longer than the year-long contract we signed makes my heart hopeful.

The butterflies from my stomach surround my heart, wrapping it in a light, soft feeling. If Ethan were to want to continue our relationship, I don’t think I’d be able to say no. His kindness and care make me feel important and seen, unlike when I felt taken advantage of with Jack.

Then I remember the determined way he’d told me it was only for a year and just physical, and my heart drops into my stomach. No matter how well things are going, this can’t go any further than what we’d agreed on. That doesn’t even bring my marriage into the picture. I’m with Ethan and yet I’m not fully divorced.

“He’s not going to ask me to marry him, Isla. This relationship situation is nowhere near serious enough for that,” I tell her while mentally adding, no matter how much my affection grows toward Ethan.

“I was joking,” Isla cries, grabbing my hand. “Jeez, no need to get all defensive. I was just thinking that men in relationships with predetermined endings don’t gift important family heirlooms to the woman they’re dating.”

She’s not wrong, but I try not to think about the weight her words set on my shoulders. I’d love a real relationship with Ethan, something that could thrive and grow, and I feel that is happening, but my divorce still hangs over our heads.

I need to deal with the divorce, then find out where Ethan and I stand.

And I hope Ethan feels the same.

“OH, my God!” Isla screeches, pushing up on her elbows. The two masseuses and I jump at her sudden change in tone and excitement as she shoves the phone at me. “They’re saying you’re his girlfriend!”

Taking the phone from Isla, I rewind the broadcast by a minute and press play. The same female reporter from the earlier videos stands at the right of the screen with the rescue replaying behind her.

“After the daring rescue of a mysterious woman, Ethan Montgomery, has not made any statement as to who our damsel in distress is. As you can see from the playback, we cannot see her face, but this woman could very well be Mr. Montgomery’s new girlfriend,” she says, pointing at me on the paused video.

“Whoever this woman is, she sure is lucky to have the richest and best-looking man in town on her arm

My head is tucked under Ethan’s chin, hiding my face, and I’m kind of glad. If I wasn’t, I’m sure my face would be all over the news by now, and they’d be digging into my background, personal information, and into our relationship.

“As Mr. Montgomery’s girlfriend, she seems to have come to watch his game. No doubt after being personally invited by Mr. Montgomery himself,” the woman continues. “So many of our viewers have commented on the footage from yesterday that I’ve compiled a list of questions about our mystery woman.”

She pulls out a set of white cards, lifting them to show the camera.

“People are curious,” Isla sings as I pause the video and look at her. “And I, for one, would love to know what the people are asking about you.”

“I don’t know if this is a good idea. I’m sure Ethan won’t like that we’ve been plastered all through the news,” I mutter.

Because of our relaxing morning, and the fact that Ethan is working, I’m sure he hasn’t seen any of this. If he did, Ethan, or whoever oversees his public image, would have said something by now.

I press play on the video again.

“Let’s see how the speculations about the mystery woman are going,” the reporter says, lifting the first card. “Our first question from a commenter this morning: How long has Ethan been with this woman?”

“How do they think they’re going to answer these questions when they don’t even know who you are?” Isla asks, sitting up as her masseuse finishes. She stretches and grins. “I feel like a new woman.”

I sit up as well, mirroring Isla’s stretching.

“I’m not sure,” I tell her, “But if they read off the questions, maybe they’re just hoping to gain more attention. Maybe they think we’ll come forward and make a public announcement.”

“Another question from a new follower: Is this woman a rich businesswoman? And another, asking: Could she be another model, like Mr. Montgomery’s last girlfriend?”

I cringe at the mention of Ethan’s ex-girlfriend and put Isla’s phone down.

“I met Ethan’s model ex-girlfriend,” I tell Isla as I slide my shirt over my head. “She was awful, claiming they were still together, and she even hit me.”

Isla gasps and spins to face me. Her mouth drops open like she’s preparing a slew of insults, but I raise my hand to stop her.

“It’s fine. Ethan took care of it, and I’m okay.”

I step into my jeans and pull them up my legs, buttoning them before picking the phone back up.

“One viewer with a particularly interesting question here asks: Do you think the damsel is the daughter of a wealthy family set on combining or partnering with the Silverclaw Company?” The reporter reads it out, and when she lowers the card, her raised brows and interested expression tell me this is also her thought.

“This could be a relationship of convenience for Mr. Montgomery. Is this the start of a new empire? Do we see a new power couple coming in the future? All these questions are currently unanswered, but stay tuned for further developments,” the reporter announces, then she grins at the camera. “This was Alicia Murphy with WBS News.”

The video comes to an end, closing out with the WBS News logo and an unnecessarily loud jingle.

A hesitation drops over me as the woman’s words ring through my head.

Wealthy family.

Business woman.

Young.

Model.

Gorgeous.

Up-and-coming.

Intelligent.

I wouldn’t describe myself with any of these words like the people asking questions did. Honestly, I’m the most plain Jane woman Ethan has probably ever been with. A stay-at-home wife who couldn’t even get a job on her own because her husband is a douchebag.

The fact that everyone assumes I’m wealthy and on the same level as Ethan makes my chest ache.

Would he realize soon that I might not be what he wants?

“What’s wrong?” Isla asks, leading me out of the spa.

“Would Ethan be better off with a woman like they described?”

Isla’s head snaps up, a look of shock and disgust painting her face. She scoffs then grabs me by the shoulders, turning me to face her. The heavy feeling in my chest annoys me. I have no right or claim on Ethan, so I shouldn’t be upset, but I am.

The thought of him dropping me for another woman hurts but it’s not an impossibility.

“No. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to that man, whether he admits it or not. You’re amazing, Fiona, and I’m not just saying that as your friend. You’ve been through so much pain and pressure lately, but look at you,” she says, motioning to my entire body. “You haven’t fallen apart. Your strength and determination have pushed you this far and if Ethan Montgomery can’t see how incredible you are, then he doesn’t deserve you.”

Throwing my arms around my best friend, I blink away the tears filling my vision. Her words settle around my aching heart, acting as a bandage that keeps me from falling apart.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do this without your support, Isla, so thank you,” I murmur.

When she pulls back, she grins.

“And I don’t think Ethan will drop you.”

“What do you mean? How do you know?”

She smirks then says, “Because anytime Ethan has been speculated about in the news, his team or he himself have reached out to deny the rumors. He hasn’t done that today, and before you start…” she holds up a finger, pressing it to my lips. “He’s had plenty of time. They caught him on his way into the office earlier, and when they asked if you were his girlfriend, he smirked and walked inside.”