“We’ve got that love. Can I mention that our space allows for family growth? Jake tried to make it sound like a realtor trying to sell the property to her. It surpassed mere property. He desired a life to accompany it. His life before independence. “If we have a family. I’m still not sure about that. What if you decide to leave again? You did better without me around.” Josalyn wanted to go along with his perfect vision of the future, but she’d felt the smack of reality once too often for her to ignore it. She had to admit this was her desired long-term settlement. The house, though another, needed demolition before repairs. Her thoughts tangled with this. The new house won’t feel identical. Not to her. “Josalyn, stop it. I didn’t do better. I lost my father. My work was all that I had. Now I feel like my priorities have changed, and I just want us to have a second chance.” Jake couldn’t handle hearing this now. He would not leave. He lea
“Okay, that’s good to know. Shouldn’t we bring in the bags?” Josalyn pointed to the bags. However, he desired to give her a tour beforehand.“It’s okay. There’s plenty of time for that. Remember, we aren’t alone here. We have staff for that.” Jake said. He found himself reminded Josalyn of that several times a day that they had staff for various jobs. He could see her getting better. She’d not fainted since that first day or had anything else gone wrong. But he’d tried his best to keep her from situations that could harm her. He’d see some of the horrible reactions and the long-term damage it caused. He wouldn’t allow it to happen to Josalyn. She had plenty in her life. Jake held the door for Josalyn as she entered, and he saw her reaction as soon as she saw the interior of the cottage. He would continue to call the thirteen bedrooms and nine bathrooms house a cottage. It now has both indoor and outdoor kitchens, along with a wine cellar and a pantry. He could see them here f
“I’ve got Nunzio setting up some heavy boundaries for when we’re married for me. I think he’s talking to Ben about it. So, he should call you soon to talk about setting them up for you as well. Or do you mean the Gena mess? She’s trying to ruin your reputation and we’ll deal with her. I want to enjoy these surprises and maintain our cheerful mood. I want the surprises to overshadow everything else in our lives.” Jake gave her a bright smile, but she knew its cause came from his nervousness. She could almost see him vibrating from his excitement. They reached the master bedroom, where Jake opened the two closets. Inside, one of them appeared full of clothing. “It’s full.” “I saw what you wore and much of it wasn’t up to par. As we marry, we must always appear good during our honeymoon, as we can’t predict when someone will capture us on camera. I don’t want you to feel self-conscious. It’s my wedding present to you. Everything you could want. I had
Josalyn noticed the changes in Jake, and she tried to accept it. His words explained everything to her he’d done. How much he’d thought of her when he fixed up the old cottage. It wasn’t just an old lakeside house now. It became an oasis for them. He’d created spaces for her and himself that he’d wanted to share with her. Her biggest struggle was the spaces he built for nonexistent children. It reminded her of the baby she’d lost even as she learned she was pregnant with them. She hadn’t informed Jake of her miscarriage, as he was eager to meet her after leaving the hospital, as he desired a divorce. She felt her strength drain away, leaving her powerless and vulnerable. The worst part was his lack of concern for her whereabouts or her physical condition. Josalyn suffered from anemia and a few other issues that caused her body to reject her pregnancy. She’d struggled with it. Between the damage to her organs by her late diagnosis and the lack of iro
“Figuring out the word from the Studio and Gena’s deception wasn’t easy. The last time she conned me into dating her she lied to me and said she’d learned a valuable lesson. After I broke it off with her, I returned to Empire Nights. I got the surprise of seeing her kiss our agent like his tonsils were the key to her finding the fountain of youth. She didn’t hide any of it. I noticed a pattern in their behavior when I saw them together. She’d learned her lesson alright and that was how she’d hide her affairs better from me while not hiding them from everyone else. Her idea to use my pregnancy claim to win me back is absurd. We haven’t slept together in so long that any pregnancy she has won’t be mine.” Josalyn believed him. His anger felt genuine to her. He didn’t convince her, but tried to figure out how Gena had worked out that he was the father. His face screwed up as he fell silent while he tried to comprehend what he knew. “Jake, support the child, not her. She doesn’t
Josalyn had to adjust again to being called Rebecca. She’d accustomed herself again to being Josalyn to Jake. It felt odd going back to being Rebecca Jones, star of Empire Nights. Nothing changed for her. Her two identities felt as if they were distinct individuals. Appearing betrayal between them appeared undeniable. It felt off. Or deceitful. Josalyn knew many performers used stage names and, she’d have to get over this guilt. It made little sense she’d had other names, and they were behind her. “Ms. Jones, I have several gowns here that appear similar to what you described and a couple the Studio Representative insisted I bring.” The head of the wardrobe department said as she setup a rack and arranged several garment bags on them. Each one varied in their volume, and Josalyn assumed those could contain the larger, more voluminous dresses. The last time Josalyn got married, she’d worn a cream-colored mini dress she owned. They couldn’
Josalyn awoke early the next morning. They both did. A lot needed to happen. She saw nothing at the event space. Josalyn and Jake took everything at face value about the setup. The Studio’s Handler ordered them not to worry, and all but said they needed to mind their business. Josalyn had no words when Jake arrived after the stylists departed. He appeared shocked to see Josalyn without her wig. Her short, dark hair was not what he expected to see, and it had thrown him off. Jake almost ejected him from the premises. No one among the hair, makeup, or wardrobe people had blinked an eye. Josalyn felt sure they’d seen and worked with far worse. The Studio’s Handler, however, only worked with the finished products, not beginnings. However, Jake loved her as she was, and he felt protective of her feelings. She needed to get comfortable with something, as she felt he did it to appease her, but it wasn’t true. Jake didn’t appreciate her menti
“You think you have everything correct? Can you make this information believable for her? My ex-wife fled with her a long time ago. I’ll be the one who tells her the truth of what happened. But to do that I need to my ex-wife there to prove what I tell her.” Edward Black said over the phone to Nunzio. He had his invitation to the wedding. With a special seat at the table as Everett’s agent, he could get the surprise gift from the surprise guest on the table. This time, the truth would come out. “Yes, Mr. Smith. I have everything you wish me to tell her. But I don’t believe she will tell me where your ex-wife is. She believes your ex-wife was an unfit mother, and she’s cut communication with the woman long ago. I don’t think…” Nunzio said in response to his employer’s words. He tried to inject some reason, but that wasn’t something that Mr. Black wanted to hear. “I don’t pay you to think. My ex-wife will make an appearance if she thinks she can gai