Chapter 4
My phone was practically exploding with media calls.
Everyone thought it was a fairytale romance. William, the richest man around, was making a grand gesture and spending a fortune for love.
But only I knew the truth. This was William's last-ditch effort, his final, desperate struggle when he was out of options.
I called an emergency press conference.
Standing in front of a barrage of flashing cameras, I kept it short and to the point.
I said, "First, I'd like to thank Mr. William Dodson for his so-called 'generosity' toward my company, but we don't play those games to win in the market.
"Second, Mr. Dodson and I divorced six years ago. Since then, we've gone our separate ways and we have nothing to do between us. Please stop with the wild speculations.
"Finally, let me make this perfectly clear: the only man in my life is Leo Durham. My family? It's just Leo and Mickey."
As soon as I finished, Leo came out from backstage and, right in front of the media, gave me a passionate hug.
The camera flashes erupted instantly.
*****
The next day's headlines switched from [Tycoon Chases Ex-Wife] to [Top Designer Falls for Supermodel; Tycoon Ex-Husband Gets Humiliated.]
William's whole "devoted lover" persona became a laughingstock.
I thought that should finally get William off my back.
But I totally underestimated just how relentless he could be.
He started popping up in every corner of my life: at the café downstairs from my office, the garden in my apartment complex, and even outside Mickey's kindergarten.
He stopped with the tacky gifts. Now he stood there quietly, watching me with an expression I couldn't even figure out.
In his eyes, I saw pain, desperation, a silent plea, as well as a possessiveness that made my skin crawl.
He'd gotten so much thinner, his eyes hollow. That air of invincibility from when we first met was long gone.
He looked like a gambler with nowhere left to turn, betting all his dignity in the hopes that I'd glance his way.
Too bad I didn't bother to spare him a glance.
My cold shoulder and total disregard ended up completely infuriating someone else.
It was William's true love, Mariam Bradshaw.
He once abandoned his wife and "son" for six years ago, just to follow Mariam abroad.
One day, I was in my office with Leo, brainstorming ideas for our next collection, when Mariam stormed in, her three-inch heels clicking with every step.
"Sandra!" she snapped.
She was dressed in the latest Chanel suit, her makeup flawless. Honestly, she looked even more stunning than she did six years ago.
But those beautiful eyes of hers were now burning with jealousy and venom.
"Are you seriously this shameless? William dumped you ages ago. Why are you still pestering him?" Mariam snapped.
I shot her a look like she was completely nuts.
"Miss Bradshaw, maybe you should check your facts. The one who was pestering is William, not me," I said.
"Nonsense!" Mariam was practically screeching with fury. "If you weren't stringing him along, why would William be losing his mind trying to win you back? You're such a manipulative woman."
Leo stood up, putting himself between us, and said coldly, "Miss Bradshaw, please leave. You're not welcome here."
"Who do you think you are? You're just some gigolo climbing up on a woman's dime," Mariam sneered, sizing Leo up with pure contempt. "How much did Sandra pay you to be her loyal lapdog?"
Smack!
I couldn't hold back. I slapped her right across the face.
"Watch your mouth," I said coldly, locking eyes with her. "Leo is my lover and family. It's not your place to insult him."
Mariam clutched her face, staring at me in utter disbelief.
"How dare you hit me? Who the hell do you think you are, Sandra?" she shrieked.
"Yeah, I hit you. So what?" I stepped right up to her, radiating confidence. "Mariam, don't think I can't see through your games.
"You're scared William might come back to me, scared that all your plotting for the past six years will end up for nothing."
"That's bullshit," she snapped, her eyes flickering away.
I could tell I'd struck a nerve. "You know exactly what I'm talking about," I sneered. "Get out. Don't dirty up my place."
Mariam flinched, stumbling back from my domineering vibe. But then she straightened up, like she suddenly remembered something.
"Sandra, don't get ahead of yourself. You really think pretending to be all noble now can erase your past? Forget it," Mariam snapped.
She pulled out a stack of photos from her bag and slammed them hard onto my desk.
"I'm about to let the whole world know how you pocketed 1.5 million dollars from William to get rid of his baby. I'll destroy your reputation and make sure your designs rot on the shelves," she screamed.
The photos were grainy shots of me slipping in and out of the hospital's maternity ward six years ago.
There was also a bank slip, proof that William had wired me 1.5 million dollars.