“Where’s the ambulance?! She’s injured. Someone, go get me something to slow the bleeding.” One of the serving staff handed him a clean bar towel. Everett knew Rebecca didn’t feel it right now. Her anger hid the pain from her, and she wasn’t one that did well with blood. He had to call the shots. Yuri only now wandered over and looked a little concerned. Everett glared at him. Some promise to take care of her. “Everett I’m fine. I’m just angry at how she went after me like that. It’s your fault, you know. She thinks I’m a slut because of this.” “Well, we know who is to blame for that, now, don’t we? Now, love, we need to move you, but if we do it the wrong way, you can get hurt even more. I think you fell on broken glass.” “She threw a full glass of something at me before she started hitting me. Whatever was in the glass got in my eyes and stung. I couldn’t see what was happening. It still hurts to open them.” “Okay, then don
Josalyn felt lightheaded. She felt thankful Jake was there. Josalyn didn’t know half of what happened. He made her go to the hospital. Give her bandages, let her wash her face, and restore everything to its proper order. Whatever the substance was, it looked like blood and burned a little. Once she flushed it from her eyes and face, she’d be fine. Josalyn heard Jake speak to a paramedic. He gave her medical history and their genuine relationship. Since when was she pregnant? Josalyn thought that was unforgiveable. She’d have a few words with him about that later. Right now, Josalyn wanted to sleep. The ambulance ride turned into a bumpy, but fast trip. Jake didn’t leave her. When they removed her from the ambulance, he was there, and he walked into the Emergency Department with her. He sat by the head of the bed as they helped her with her clothes and patched her up. Josalyn wanted to cry. She didn’t remember the last time he
Everett left the hospital. Rebecca had a room. She’d stay the night to ensure she didn’t need more blood or develop more complications. The doctors would watch the swelling and discoloration of her face during her stay. He was unsure how he felt to find out Rebecca wasn’t pregnant. Rebecca appeared to have mixed feelings as well. He didn’t want to leave, but she’d need her things. Rebecca gave him instructions on where he’d find a bag she kept prepared for this. Everett felt happy with the situation after he wore her down with the help of Dr. Walker. Until her strength returned, she would remain by his side. Dr. Walker visited during his evening rounds at the hospital. Everett’s mind was so tired he took a hired car service to the old house. He felt odd returning here. Like the car brought him home from a week away, filming on an exotic set. He noticed a light in the living room through a curtain crack. Did Rebecca always keep the light on to avoid
“Hey, Ben. You’re still here? Has everyone else given up and gone home?” Rebecca sat up with slow, deliberate movements and looked at her agent. “Hey, ho. Wait, a sec. Take it slow. You can lie down if you want. Rebecca, you need rest. As for going home, nope. We secured your door with a security guard hired by the Studio. Everett, I mean Jake, has gone to your place to get your bag. Nunzio is working with the Studio’s handler to keep things quiet. I’m here to keep you company and keep Nunzio in line with your interests.” “Wow, how long have I been asleep?” “A few hours. Jake should return soon. Nunzio and I have gone to bat for you and Jake. Avoid agreeing to similar things in the future. You shouldn’t have signed that contract without letting me look at it in full. I can’t believe you signed it before I’d finished making edits.” “Ben, you were listening in. If I didn’t agree, then they wouldn’t renew the show for another se
Everett returned to the hospital to find Ben and Josalyn speaking to each other. Without Nunzio there, he worried about how Ben would react to him. In the past few hours, his opinion of Ben had shifted. He’d the man had a backbone and advocated for Josalyn. It meant he was still maintaining his integrity. Uncertainty loomed with increasing tenure in this industry. He needed only to look at himself for proof. He recognized his failures and desired change. “Hey, I think I found everything. Are you certain that I found everything?” “Jake, you went over there, and you’re back already? You’re smiling. Did you send someone instead of going yourself? Why are you still smiling?” Josalyn looked confused and guilty. “Yes, I went myself. I hired a car since I’ve slept little in the last few days. I entered alone, and I had a look around. What I found we can discuss later once you’re out of the hospital and comfortable.” Jake set the b
The next morning creeped by. Jake never left her side. He even had someone bring him a phone charger so he could continue preparing everything for her to stay with him. “Oh, interesting note, love. You will need to stay with me while the repairs are happening. Some construction materials contain gluten. If you breathe in the dust, it could harm you.” Jake said as he raised his head from his phone. “Jake, what are you doing there? What are you talking about?” Josalyn didn’t know what he meant as she finished packing her things. She went to lift the bag off the bed. “Oh, hey, no you don’t. I’m here to lift that. We don’t want you damaging your stitches.” “Jake, they’re staples, and I’m fine. This isn’t heavy or the first time I’ve lifted this… Thank you. Just put it by the door.” It felt so odd to have Jake snatch the bag from her. Josalyn noticed his panicked expression and felt uneasy, as though she had inconvenienced him by
Everett found himself surprised by the Studio. He’d received a call from the Studio’s handler after he’d left the hospital with Rebecca. They made it home before he opened the voicemail message. They apologized for the accident. He couldn’t believe that spin. The fan attacked Rebecca out of anger, spite, jealousy, and a twisted form of protective possessiveness. He found Ben and Nunzio at their door soon after, with several documents for them both. All discussed marriage and its prospects. But what surprised them all, were the checks attached to them. The Studio decided they’d keep them on the show and paid them for their silence. “She’s resting right now. I’ll go get her once you’re ready.” Everett avoided disturbing Rebecca, as it required all her efforts to arrive. She wasn’t happy with this arrangement, but the doctor wouldn’t release her to go live alone. Rebecca still had staples on her side. However, visitors searching for her were disrupting others at t
The Studio sent over changes to the stunt, a day after clearing away paperwork. Josalyn didn’t want to deal with the rumor mill or Gena. It exhausted her to no end. She refused to accept Gena as a mother, especially not Everett’s child’s mother. She still struggled with whether she should believe Everett when he said he couldn’t be the father. Gena, of course, had to pull her into it by calling her a home wrecker and a horrible person. How fragile Gena’s pregnancy was and how Josalyn lied about her health being bad. She’d never said a bloody thing about her health to anyone. Gena hadn’t stopped there. She pulled out the drugs or alcohol rumors about Josalyn. Of course, she only called her Rebecca in the public realm. Josalyn even had to deal with Gena, ignoring the fact she’d been the one to steal Jake from her initially. Heaven forgive her, because Josalyn didn’t speak up and tell the world Gena broke up their quiet marriage