All Chapters of Love Under False Pretense: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Unsurprising to the actress, Andrea’s team including Ren wholly agreed with Quinn’s Couture offer for the Paris Fashion Week. “We’d be crazy to pass this opportunity up!”And when she brought it up to her husband, all Sebastian talked about was how generous Lilith was. “It’s in her nature to be this helpful,” as if implying that Andrea was chosen not because of her talent, but because the company heiress pitied her.After signing a new deal as the second female lead for an action movie, Andrea left the Elysian building without as much as a “Hello” from the CEO. Some were discouraged with her choice of role since she had the ability to get the first lead. But as her rule when looking at scripts, “I prefer playing characters that are beautifully written. And I resonated more with the second lead, a police officer struggling to choose between two things without losing herself.”Robert did show up to congratulate her with a bouquet of roses, claiming it was Sebastian who ordered him to gi

The rest of the fashion week went on without so much as a hitch. Andrea didn’t even feel the time pass as the flurry of congratulations and praises surrounded her.Even the greatest designers from other brands begged for her to model for them next time. “I would like to focus on my acting career,” was all she had to say about that, knowing that more modeling projects meant more time away from Sebastian.But why was it that when she approached the small stage for her interview, the people there didn’t meet her eyes and spoke in hushed tones around? “Ren? Did something happen?” She asked her manager who also appeared ill at ease looking at her phone.“What?” Ren whipped her head up to her and stiffly shook her head. Andrea was about to get into a live interview so it was up to the manager to make sure she was at her best. Hiding her phone in her back pocket, Ren said, “Nope. Right now, what’s happening is us getting you on stage.”The host announced her arrival with is energetic French

“We’re here, Sir,” Robert passively informed his boss after reaching the entrance to the condominium building.Sebastian didn’t respond but rather crossed his arms. His narrowed eyes met with his assistant’s from the rearview mirror as he said, “I’ve been ignoring your attitude with me lately because of how long we’ve been working together. But if you do it again,” the CEO opened the car door for himself and before leaving said, “Consider this my last warning.”Robert watched his boss’ figure disappear into the lobby, realizing that he didn’t have a say in Sebastian’s relationship so he shouldn’t be so concerned about them. Granted, it was the first time Robert raised his voice at him as he fought for them to go to the hospital instead.He closed his eyes shut, convincing himself not to get carried away with the couple’s state of affairs, “Sebastian and Andrea knew what they were getting into when they signed the contract, didn't they?”“Lilith!” Sebastian burst into the heiress’ room

“I’m sorry I only got to visit now, Andrea.” Edmond sat on the side of her bed, surprising doctors and patients alike with the number of gifts he brought.“Thank you, Grandpa. But you shouldn’t have,” his granddaughter-in-law winced at the extravagant renovation that made her hospital room look like a hotel VIP suite. What used to be a neutral-colored and unwelcoming space transformed into a royalty’s chamber. People would think that it was like entering a different dimension.But their conversation soon died down after she answered all his questions regarding the incident. And she told the chairman the same thing she told the police officers when they asked her for details.“It was a normal day on set.”“No, no one was acting suspicious.”“I didn’t know that the gun was real. Cooper appeared to believe it was fake too.”Both were unable to think of anything else to say that would not dampen the atmosphere, in particular, Edmond since he didn’t see any evidence that Sebastian came to

Andrea thought that two more days would help in making her decision. But the short span of time further spiraled her into confusion. Her injury was now just an afterthought.She now found herself slowly picking the petals off her get-well flowers from her company, Elysian Pictures, and fans. One look at her bedroom and anyone would assume immediately that it was a florist shop with how the plants that varied in kinds and colors filled her room.“I tell Seb and ask him what to do,” Andrea mumbled as she pulled one rose petal. “Or I decide what to do.” She didn’t even have the strength to decide for herself whether to keep the pregnancy or not. But how could she?Who else do women go to when facing this kind of problem? The answer popped up in her mind. “Their mothers.” And it was as if she was punched in the gut.The person who gave birth to her got the right to be called ‘Mom’ for that sole reason. But the woman she truly considered her mother slowly aged in a hospital bed, oblivious