Chapter 4

The online world, fed by Jessi' s PR team and gleeful gossip bloggers, had already convicted Sarah.

"Sarah Miller' s Desperate Ploy for Alex Thorne!"

"Producer Uses 'Closeness' to Manipulate Young Star!"

Jessi' s team had even "leaked" photos of Sarah and Alex together – innocuous pictures from family gatherings, studio sessions, twisted into something sordid.

"See? She' s always lurking," Jessi had commented on a blog, fueling the fire.

Now, in the studio lounge, the reality was crashing down.

Jessi stood frozen, the color draining from her face as Sarah' s words "I' m pregnant" hung in the air.

"Pregnant?" Jessi echoed, a strange mix of disbelief and dawning horror in her voice. "You... you can' t be."

Sarah didn' t answer, just moaned softly, clutching her stomach.

Alex was frantic. "Hang on, Sarah, hang on. Help is coming."

The studio manager appeared, looking flustered. "What' s going on here? We have a session starting..."

He stopped short, taking in the scene: Sarah on the floor, Alex kneeling beside her, Jessi looking like a cornered animal.

Then, the doors to the studio complex opened with a force that announced an arrival.

Michael Thorne.

He wasn' t a celebrity, not in the public eye like movie stars or musicians. But in the circles of power, his name was a thunderclap.

Flanked by two unobtrusive but clearly professional security men, Michael strode into the lounge.

His eyes, cold and hard, swept the room, lingering for a split second on Jessi before locking onto Sarah.

The air crackled. The studio manager suddenly looked terrified. Paparazzi, who had somehow gotten wind of a "developing situation" involving Jessi Vance and were lurking outside, were being firmly held back by building security, now reinforced by Michael's team.

Michael was by Sarah' s side in an instant, his face a mask of controlled fury and deep concern.

"Sarah, my love, what happened?" His voice was low, but it carried an undeniable authority.

He gently touched her face.

Sarah looked up at him, tears welling. "Michael..."

The use of his first name, the intimacy in his voice, the way he touched her.

Jessi stared, her mouth agape.

Alex stood up. "Dad, she pushed her. Jessi pushed Sarah."

Michael' s gaze shifted to Jessi. It was not a pleasant look.

"This woman," Michael said, his voice like ice, "is my wife."

A collective gasp, this time from the studio staff and the few onlookers who had gathered.

Alex put a protective hand on Sarah' s shoulder. "And she' s my stepmother."

The narrative didn' t just flip. It shattered.