Though the pictures circulating only showed my face, the implication was unmistakable. The crumpled bedsheets, the dazed look in my eyes, my parted red lips and a glimpse of the tip of my tongue were all too suggestive.
It could only have been taken by Luca. Back then, we were young, in love and inseparable. He said he wanted to capture every side of me.
But now, the photo was released alongside a report of Grant Yates seen entering and exiting the hotel that same night.
"Was I ever in control of any of this?"
Zoe stopped mid-rant. She had been my agent since my debut, a decade of working side by side. She knew everything, especially about Luca and me.
In the end, she just let out a long sigh. "Zara, Mr. York can’t be that heartless. Maybe you should try to stay hopeful."
I smiled faintly and tears slipped down my cheeks. A decade of memories of highs and heartbreaks finally faded like a fragile bubble bursting in silence.
"Is there any point in hoping he’s not heartless? I’ve already been destroyed. Even if I clear my name one day, this stain will follow me forever."
"Zara, haven’t I already explained? I didn’t do it!"