The headline read:
"William Whitmore Celebrates New Signings at Empire Elite Event with his alleged girlfriend Kate Harrington ."
Her chest ached in a quiet, frustrating way, not because she cared, but because he was making a joke of their marriage. Why agree to the marriage if he already has a girlfriend?
Anna: Ouch šŖ
Jake: Bri, you can still get an annulment. You don't have to spend your life married to a man who doesn't take you seriously. He clearly doesn't care about the marriage.
Bri didn't reply anymore. She let out a dry laugh. "If only it were that simple," she muttered.
She tossed her phone aside and stood by the open window. The city outside was already alive with car horns and distant chatter. She needed to start her day!
By 8 A.M, Bri had showered, dressed, and tied her hair into a low ponytail. The exhaustion from last night still clung to her, but she wasn't about to waste her morning sulking. Today was an important day!
She grabbed her bag, and as she zipped it, her eyes caught the glint of the diamond wedding ring on the bedside table,Ā elegant and flawless. She couldn't put it on. The marriage had been carefully hidden from the press, no headlines, no photographers, and that's how she wanted it,Ā William too. It was an arranged marriage either way, so the fewer the people who knew, the better.
Either way, she needed to be single. Her manager, Nancy, had made that painfully clear.. no dating, no distractions, not until her name meant something. Single ladies rise faster in this industry, Nancy had said, especially new talent. Bri picked up the ring, turned it once between her fingers, and then set it back on the table. She walked out of the room and out of the penthouse, stepping into the bright Los Angeles morning.
She made sure to order a latte at the nearest coffee shop, and as she waited, she opened the group chat again.
Jake: Still voting for the annulment.
Anna: Orā¦ Bri, you can try make him fall in love with you š
Jake: Yeah, great plan. Emotional manipulation always ends so well.
Anna: Let a girl dream!
Bri laughed quietly, shaking her head as she took her coffee and headed to the set.