4.Chapter 4 This Blame’s On You
The backstage actors stared at Yvonne. Even retired, her iconic performances were the gold standard newcomers aspired to match.
“Yvonne?!”
“Oh my god, it’s Yvonne. Wasn’t Starry Entertainment sending Yolanda?”
Whispers spread through the crowd. Tommy stepped forward to press Yvonne. “What happened? I told you the veil had to stay on.”
“You put it on me. Isn’t this your fault?” Yvonne said coldly, her eyes fixed on Tommy.
Tommy’s face turned red with anger. “I checked it. You must’ve taken it off yourself.”
Yvonne ignored him and walked away through the murmuring crowd.
Lorenzo didn’t understand Yvonne’s motives, but he found her interesting. If she wanted a comeback, he thought he could just give her a boost.
Yvonne was packing at home when Zell called.
“What’s wrong with you, Yvonne? You messed everything up. What about the company, me, and Yolanda now?” Zell’s voice shook with anger. He had no idea Yvonne had already sealed the deal.
Suppressing her disgust, Yvonne said calmly, “I’m the one getting blamed for the fallen veil. Why don’t you ask how I’m feeling? Yolanda’s assistant put the veil on me. Shouldn’t we question if this was on purpose?”
“But now Yolanda’s totally offended them. How could…” Zell fumed, unable to believe Yvonne had messed up something so simple.
“That’s rich,” Yvonne mocked. “You were happy to take the credit when things went well, but now you don’t wanna take any risks?”
“How can you say that? You could’ve said you went to the audition without permission. Take the blame,” Zell insisted shamelessly.
“So you’d ruin your fiancée’s rep to protect some actress? Is that what you mean?”
Zell stammered under Yvonne’s question. “Yvonne, you know that’s not what I meant. This is for the company.”
Zell ordered after a pause, “Enough arguing. Go apologize to Mr. Luther now. Say you took Yolanda’s audition because you wanted the role.”
“Does my rep mean nothing to you?” Yvonne’s voice trembled. “I’ve done enough. I won’t apologize.” Her chest tightened—four years wasted on him.
“Yvonne! You…” Zell lowered his voice, pleading, “I’m not asking for Yolanda. This is about us. If the company does well, we’ll do well too.”
Yvonne felt disgusted listening to Zell’s smooth talk. The old Yvonne might’ve been fooled by his sweet words, but not now. She wasn’t falling for it again.
“If you really care about the team, just say Yolanda had a car accident and didn’t wanna miss this chance, so you sent me to the audition last minute.”
“No. The company’s rep will only stay safe if you take full blame. Think about our company.” Zell refused to listen. “I’ll arrange someone to take you to Mr. Luther.”
“No way,” Yvonne said coldly, hanging up.
Zell stared at the silent phone, thinking, ‘Is this the same Yvonne who used to do whatever I said?’
“Zell, did Yvonne agree to apologize?” Yolanda’s eyes were red as she lay in the hospital bed. “She set this up. That veil didn’t just fall off. She’s trying to steal my role.”
“Calm down. I’ll send someone to talk to her. No one’s taking what’s yours,” Zell said, pocketing his phone and giving Yolanda a reassuring look.
“Zell, I know you care about me. You gotta help me get Emmett’s role. It’ll be huge for the company. And… I’m having your kid. If it weren’t for that, Yvonne wouldn’t even be stepping in this time…”
Zell placed his hand on Yolanda’s belly. “I get it. For our baby, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
After four years, Yvonne still kept him at arm’s length. But Yolanda was pregnant with his kid. He knew what mattered.
*****
Yvonne exhaled after hanging up the phone.
“Mrs. Hammond.” The driver’s greeting snapped Yvonne back to reality as she got into the car heading to Lorenzo’s place. Just as the engine started, Ashley called.
“Yvonne! Tell me you didn’t marry that jerk Zell?!” Ashley blurted out before Yvonne could even say hello.
“What’s up?” Yvonne asked calmly, her tone a stark contrast to Ashley’s frantic one.
“Divorce him now! He’s cheating on you. Guess what? Yolanda and Zell are having an affair and she’s pregnant,” Ashley said, her voice dripping with anger.
Ashley had gotten to the hospital just in time to see Zell and Yolanda, and then had followed them straight to the maternity ward. Hearing their conversation totally shook up her whole worldview. She felt sorry for Yvonne.
Yvonne’s grip tightened on the phone.
“Yvonne? You there?” Ashley sounded worried when there was no response.
“I’m good. We never officially got married. I found out about Zell’s affair last night,” Yvonne said, her voice steady.
Ashley was about to breathe a sigh of relief when she remembered something. She urged, “Who are you marrying?! Don’t be reckless. We’ll deal with those cheaters, but don’t ruin your life.”
Usually, Ashley’s drama would make Yvonne laugh. Not today. “I’ll explain later. Keep quiet about Yolanda’s pregnancy and affair. I need evidence.”
Ashley’s eyes lit up. She knew that Yvonne was ready for revenge. “You got it. I’ll keep everything safe.”
“Thanks, Ashley.” Yvonne hung up, dropped her phone, and closed her eyes, feeling exhausted. Despite her plans, she never expected Yolanda to get pregnant.
In all those years with Zell, they never went all the way. She couldn’t explain it, always saying she wanted to wait until marriage.
Zell pretended to understand but hooked up with Yolanda and got her pregnant. If he couldn’t respect her boundaries, he should’ve just ended it, not betray her like this.
“Mrs. Hammond, we’re here.” The driver opened the door, snapping Yvonne out of her thoughts.
