Page 142 of Violet

Did she saycontraceptives?

“I’m not on contraceptives.”

Her brows pinch. “You know, the ones Stephan asked me to get for you, since Sabine’s rules are so strict. I wasn’t sure if he’d given them to you yet but…I left him another pack. You should have had them in your luggage when you arrived.”

“Stephan…” I swallow, start to shake. “I–I didn’t know about any—I’m not on any?—”

The look of horror that hits her face tells me everything.

I jump to my feet, and everything feels wavy. Spinning. “I need to go.”

CHAPTER

FORTY

Stephan

The meeting is long and boring, the kind I hate attending. But they’re important to attend when I want more creative control, or like now, a shift in focus.

I want that shift in focus. Not just for my career, to get onto the path I want, but I think I want less time in the limelight. To be pickier, make better films in all the ways I want to do it.

And to spend way more time with Violet.

Who the hell ever thought I’d want to make career changes because of a woman?

Clea will come in later this week to close a deal if I want it, but first I have to want it.

Violet dances sublimely.

My princess is an angel. Sexy and earthy when she wants to be, ethereal and fluid like something that stepped from afairy tale, too. I stayed too long in the watching room behind the mirrors in the small class, but how could I not?

My fucking mate dances like movement was made for her.

Christ, she even had fucking Felicity posing for a selfie at the party, which she hates. But she did it and smiled about it. Earlier I met her briefly. That campaign of her endless press junket about me has stopped, now that Clea’s taken her on.

We’ll still make those movies, but as friends, people who reconciled.

What did Clea say to me last night?

Everyone loves a redemption story, and everyone loves to see two ex-lovers act as lovers on the screen. Even if that whole side of the story isn’t true. The public doesn’t know. But we’ll both make other films, new films, better films, and I understand Felicity wanting to make a switch from starlet to serious actress before she gets too old.

It’s different for men, she told me.

She said one other thing earlier: “Treat Violet right. You hit the jackpot.”

I know that. I’d be blind not to know that.

But Felicity knowing it? And telling me, adding how much she likes Violet? That’s one for the books.

I shouldn’t be surprised.

That’s my princess. Winning people wherever she goes.

No wonder Alicia’s so jealous.

I drag my mind back to the meeting.

“Things like that,” I say, “work better down the track, like a reunion.”

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