Chapter 4: Rumors in the Air
The morning sun poured into Lena's penthouse, but instead of warmth, it only brought a dull ache behind her eyes. She hadn't slept.
Her phone wouldn't stop buzzing.
At first, she thought it was just her fan club—morning updates, the usual chatter about her latest performance. But when she finally reached for the device on her nightstand, the screen lit up with headlines that made her blood run cold.
"Golden Boy Adrian Cole Spotted Dining with Hollywood Starlet Serena West!"
"Are They Just Co-Stars, or Something More?"
"The Chemistry Between Adrian and Serena Is Undeniable, Sources Say."
Her throat tightened as she scrolled. Article after article. Photo after photo.
Adrian. Sitting across from Serena in a candlelit restaurant. His head tilted close as if he were whispering something only for her. Her laughter frozen in still images, leaning toward him like they shared a private joke.
The world was already buzzing. Fans were screaming. Comment sections exploded with speculation.
They look so good together!
Finally, Adrian found someone on his level.
Lena who? She's old news now.
Lena's chest tightened. She pressed her phone to her heart as if it could steady the ache.
It was probably nothing. It had to be nothing. Adrian would never—he promised her. He swore.
Still, she couldn't erase the image of him sitting across from another woman while the world cheered them on.
A soft knock echoed from her front door.
"Lena?" Her manager's voice was muffled but tense. "Open up. We need to talk."
Reluctantly, Lena pulled herself together and padded across the room. When she opened the door, her manager, Evelyn, swept inside with a tablet clutched against her chest. She looked exhausted already, her blazer wrinkled, her bun slipping loose.
"You've seen the news," Evelyn said flatly, dropping the tablet onto Lena's coffee table. More photos appeared on the screen—different angles, different poses, all the same implication.
"Yes," Lena whispered.
Evelyn pinched the bridge of her nose. "The company is already working on a statement. They're leaning toward calling it a publicity stunt for Adrian and Serena's upcoming film. It's the easiest route. Makes him look untouchable. Makes her look desirable. Everyone wins."
Everyone but me, Lena thought bitterly.
"You're not to comment," Evelyn continued firmly. "Not a single word. Not to fans, not to reporters, not even on your private socials. Do you understand?"
Lena's lips trembled. "But—"
Evelyn's eyes softened, just slightly. "I know it's hard. But if you say anything, people will start connecting dots you can't afford. Do you want the world to find out what you and Adrian really are?"
The words stung like ice water. Lena lowered her gaze. Of course she didn't. Their marriage wasn't just a secret. It was forbidden. The moment it came to light, everything would come crashing down—their careers, their fans' trust, their freedom.
"Good." Evelyn sighed, straightening her blazer. "Focus on your rehearsal tonight. Let the agency handle the rest."
When Evelyn left, the silence of the penthouse was deafening.
Lena collapsed onto the couch, her fingers finding the chain around her neck. She pulled out the hidden ring, her thumb brushing the familiar band of gold.
It's just for the cameras, she told herself. It's just business.
But no matter how hard she tried to believe it, the whispers lingered in her mind.
What if it wasn't?
---
That night, as she prepared for rehearsal, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a private message.
Adrian: Don't believe what you see. Call you later.
She stared at the text for a long moment, her chest aching with a mix of relief and doubt.
Because deep down, she already knew—
Rumors had a way of being louder than the truth.