Chapter 307: The Slightest Provocation
In hours, both the premiere and the photos of Brooke and Ethan had become major headlines. Blogs, podcasts and all forms of media had began speculating what sort of relationship the two might’ve had.
However, neither Brooke nor Ethan could be reachable to get a comment on current affairs.
Staring at the news in front of him, Thane sighed, "Was this the best choice? You’re dragging your name through the mud."
"My name was already tarnished, it’s better this way." She insisted.
"We could’ve always tried rebuilding your image, rebranding. You did not need to do this." He hardened his tone. "The same way you didn’t need to listen to the director and butcher your role."
Brooke sighed, "I know you invested a lot of money into this movie-"
"This isn’t about the money, I just care about you." He cut her off.
She parted her lips to speak, but decided against it.
He went on, "It’s hard Brooke. To have to see you get plunged deeper into some scandal every single time, and to just watch from the sidelines unable to do anything."
She stretched her hand across the table and gave his a tight squeeze, "I only did that because I found out the truth about Sadie." She took a deep breath before revealing to him.
"She’s pregnant." Brooke announced.
Thane was unmoved. Brooke immediately guessed he was already aware of this. She wanted to ask him why he hadn’t told her, but decided that none of that mattered right now.
"To tell you the truth, that decision was very hard for me to make. I genuinely wanted to go back on my words and speak to the director. But after I found out she was pregnant, I decided it was best to go along with his wishes." She started off explaining.
"Sadie won’t be able to accept any roles for a while. Unlike Cassie, she doesn’t have anyone she can tender the child over to. Lucas is a busy man, I doubt he’ll be the one tending to the child. If this movie doesn’t cause some relevance for her career, disappearing completely after the premiere definitely won’t."
Thane kept a straight face. "You didn’t have to be a sacrificial lamb for someone else’s carelessness." He in turn exhaled, then said, "I didn’t tell you about the pregnancy, because I knew you’d do something to place yourself in jeopardy. And about that picture, Cassie no longer has that leverage, Hannah has already retrieved it."
This time Brooke stunned him, "I know."
He scoffed, "You knew? And yet you still went to that hotel?"
She tightened her grip around his wrist. "I only found out at the night of the premiere, before then, I was completely out of the loop. I was only making do with the options before me. You have to understand, Thane, it wasn’t an easy choice for me to make."
Thane withdrew his hand, "I’m sorry but it’s hard for me to understand you. What exactly was easier? Going to a hotel with a stranger or calling me for help? You didn’t seem to have an issue running to that bastard for help. So why won’t you take any from me?"
Instead of replying, she stood up, "Thane, I can’t talk to you when you’re like this."
He rolled his tongue around his mouth. "Where are you headed?"
"I have some errands to run."
"Brooke." His tone dropped, "Search your conscience and ask yourself, if I haven’t been patient with you."
She stopped in her tracks. "I know. But sometimes, I want to do things myself."
He nodded, "Fine." He got up as well, "I can understand that. But not this, not going back to a man who could hurt you under the slightest provocation." He walked over to her, and rested his hand on her shoulder.
"Do you know how dangerous it was for you to have met him? What if he kidnapped you? Or he couldn’t control himself and harmed you." Thane argued.
"I know Ethan. His ego and possessiveness trumps his desire to hit me. In that situation, he was focused solely on claiming me. And that is what I plan to use against him." She turned around, facing him.
"I can use Ethan to tear down everything Cassie and the rest of them have planned. He’s the one thing they can’t control, I’ll string him along for a bit, and have him do my bidding. And when I’m satisfied, I’ll have my revenge on him last." She swore, meaning every word.
Thane could see she had made her mind on this, the only way he could stop this was if he directly intervened. A measure he never wanted to even consider.
His tone calmer, he asked, "And when do you suppose you’ll be able to do this? We’re going abroad for that trip, for your treatment, and to get away from all this for a while." They had gotten married and hadn’t had a honeymoon.
Unlike most couples, their marriage was only for the sake of their shared interests. Which naturally meant their relationship was unconventional in nature.
Placing that aside, he never planned to allow her continue to meet Ethan, but to avoid any further arguments, he decided to play along, and silently end their interactions.
He slid his hand down her arm and intertwined their fingers. "You and I both need some time away from all this, to clear our heads and strategize. Hmm?" His voice softened, and so did his eyes as he gazed at her ever so gently.
But Brooke broke the handhold, and dropped an announcement, "Thane, I’m not going abroad."
"What?" His voice was a silent whisper.
She blinked twice, her tone a nervous whisper, "I...I made a submission to a director, and I’m waiting to hear back from them."
Thane frowned, "What director? Brooke, why am I just hearing about this?"
She scratched the back of her head. "I didn’t want to tell you until I got the role."
He could see how worried she sounded, and immediately lowered any hostility to place her at ease. "That’s great, but you could’ve waited until we sorted out your treatment."
Brooke shook her head, easing into her statement, "Except, it couldn’t wait. If I didn’t apply now, I might not get the role I wanted."
Now, Thane’s interest was piqued. "I’m sorry, but what director are you speaking of..."