Knot Broken (Hiddenverse)

2. Lilah

CHAPTER 2

Lilah

“Holy shit.” I drop the magazine to my lap, my eyes going wide. In a circle in the corner is me in the blue dress, looking like I’m beyond drunk—with a puke-covered Rafe Carson standing in front of me, his arms spread wide in shock. Just when I thought the worst of the pap pictures had already aired two weeks ago, with me running from the club, this is like being slapped in the face.

Of course, paparazzi made their way inside. Even with the club rules, they are like little snakes slithering their way into places they shouldn’t be. And now, my embarrassment is nationwide. They don’t even know my name. I shake my head with a snort at the caption. ‘Has Ashlyn Robinson’s sister gone off the deep end? Did being jilted at the altar break the younger Robinson?’

What would they know about either? It isn’t like I’ve broadcasted what Jared and Tabitha did to me everywhere. I wonder who got paid for that tidbit.

“What’s wrong?” Ashlyn asks, spotting my face as she enters the living room—my personal sanctuary. “Lil, why are the blankets back on the windows? ”

I glance guiltily at the dark fabric blocking out the annoying sunshine that thinks it can just go around being cheerful all the time. I can’t have its influence in my life.

“Did you see this?” I ignore her and hold the gossip magazine up.

“Where did you get that? Did Owen bring it home? I told him that he should stop doing that, but he finds the stories so funny and out there. Like fanfiction about himself or people he knows.” She sighs and reaches for it. Her lips twist when she sees the picture. “It could be worse.”

I blink at her like an owl. “It could be worse?” Is she crazy? This is terrible; I can never show my face again. The next headline can be, ‘ What happened to Ashlyn Robinson’s sister? ’ Because I will never be seen again. I will live in my sister's living room for the rest of my life.

“Yeah, at least the pap wasn’t taking continuous pictures, they could have got your moment of glory on film. They probably had to scramble to get their camera on the two of you.”

I press my lips together. She’s right, that would have been worse, I’d give her that. Covering my face, I groan into my hands and mumble, “I’m never leaving this room again.”

She laughs and drops the magazine to the coffee table. “You are actually.”

Her tone is serious, and I peek at her through my fingers before dropping my hands altogether. “I’m not going to the club with you again.”

She snorts and drops next to me on the sofa.

“I’m going to record that sound one of these times and sell it to the paparazzi. I’d be rich. The perfect Ashlyn Robinson, superstar, snorts.” I giggle as she smacks me with a pillow.

“I’m serious, Lil. The film crews will be here tomorrow to film your introduction.”

“Uh, what? What film crews and what introduction?” All of the blood drains from my face, and I feel lightheaded. She had to be joking, I’m sure of it. Any second, she will laugh and say, ‘Gotcha.’

I stare at her, and she gives me a tight smile. Oh, that isn’t the joking face. “For Omega in Paradise . I mentioned your name to the producer; Shelly loves the idea. She jumped right on it as soon as I mentioned it.”

“Ash—” I say, my ears ringing. I had to be hearing things because I swear she just said she signed me up for Omega in Paradise . “I thought you loved me.”

She lets out a surprised and uncomfortable laugh. “I do love you. It’s why I suggested you as a contestant. You deserve love, Lilah.” She grasps my hand, and I’m too stunned to do anything but stare down at her pale skin.

“We talked about this.” My throat’s tight as panic starts to take over.

Her lips go flat, and she gives me a sad smile. “You have stopped living; it’s been two months. You let Jared and Tabitha win. Do you think either one of them has stopped for one second and thought about what they did to you? Because I know they haven’t. They have a baby on the way, Lil.” I grimace at her painful but true words. She probably got pregnant while helping him cheat on me. Some best friend she turned out to be. My sister was right—they don’t care about me. Neither of them ever did. “When the media gets a hold of that information, this right here, it will be nothing,” she says, picking the magazine back up.”You’ve already caught the attention of the paparazzi. Why not spin your story the way you want it to be told?”

I swallow, my heart lodged in my throat. “There’s no such thing as true love.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. But you aren’t going to find that out sitting on my couch every day watching reruns of Omega in Paradise . ”

She shrugs and tosses the magazine back to the coffee table. It lands on a full-page spread of me, with napkins, attempting to clean Rafe Carson off. I want to sink into the sofa and disappear. It’s worse than I thought. The look of pure distaste on his face as I’m focused on his ruined clothing is the final nail in my coffin.

“I’ll do it.” Because she’s right. If I don’t show the world I’m not broken, Jared and Tabitha will have won, and the thought of them winning anything is like a bullet to my already shattered heart.

Crews arrive bright and early, the first wave an army of costume and makeup assistants. Shelly introduced herself to me as the producer; I’ve seen her before at Ashlyn’s work parties. Then she explains the process of the show as if I haven’t watched every episode.

In each episode, there’s a group date and one-on-one dates with the guys. There are three of them this season. Before each ceremony, the guys debate and send omegas home or offer the ones they want to stay a token of their intent. My stomach flips over as she describes it. If they don’t like me, I could be going home the first night.

“So, I think we go with America’s sweetheart angle for you. Claire, give her a soft look. Pink lips, pink cheeks,” she waves her hand, “innocent . Jamie, same for her hair, soft waves, leave it loose, I like the golden locks.” When she focuses back on me, I glance at the two betas she just told to make me over, nervously. What have I agreed to? “You are in good hands.”

A flurry of action sweeps me up, and before I know it, I’m sitting in a robe, my hair and makeup done with a woman and a makeshift closet open in front of me. She flips through the dresses, and I watch her as she mutters to herself. “Blue, no, no, blue it will remind the public she isn’t innocent. Pink, too much pink. Overdone. Yellow?” She holds up a yellow dress and eyes me. “No, it would make her washed out. White, yes, white, it’s perfect.”

When she holds up a lace white dress, I can’t help comparing it to my wedding dress. The day my innocence was truly shattered. What better way to make my appearance to the world? If they want America’s sweetheart, that’s what they will get. I’ll be the picture of sweet and innocent while the cameras are on.

She helps me slip into the dress and zips it up. Backing up, she studies me, pursing her lips as she nods like she finds me acceptable. “It will do. For the show, we will put you in soft pastels. Are there any colors you don’t like?”

“Blue,” I say automatically.

She laughs. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure everyone forgets all about that night at the club.”

I smile. At least someone will be on my side, not that any of the crew members have made me feel like they wouldn’t be.

“Are we ready?” Shelly breezes into the room as if she has an internal sense of exactly how long it should take. “Film crews will be here in twenty. Pack it up.”

My palms go clammy, and I watch as everyone hustles around to do her bidding. It’s a lot.

“Ready for your day in the spotlight?”

“Uh, no.” I shake my head.

She laughs as if I’m joking. I’m not. “For your introduction, we want it to be just about you. People that don’t know who you are will love you right out of the gate and the ones that do know who you are will do a double take. I will give it one episode before you are a show favorite. Of course, people will make the connection to your sister when you make it to the hometown visits.”

“I’m going to make you lots of money, it sounds like.” I attempt the joke, and she smiles.

“Exactly, honey, you are going to shoot the ratings through the roof.”