Chapter 10
Over the next two days, the online storm grew fiercer.
Some anonymous user, claiming to be a colleague of Declan Price, posted a tell–all, painting him as an honest, upright teacher who’d been unfairly targeted.
They claimed his marriage to Sierra Sanchez had provoked Evelyn Hart, leading to his ostracism at the university.
Suddenly, I became the internet’s punching bag.
I locked myself in my studio, too scared to step outside or check my phone.
But on the morning of the third day, the tide turned in a jaw–dropping twist.
A prominent legal blogger published a detailed post, meticulously outlining the inconsistencies in the smear campaign against me and highlighting the legal risks those posts carried,
Hot on its heels, Julian Blake’s company legal team issued a scathing lawyer’s letter, naming Sierra Sanchez, Declan Price, and several high–profile gossip accounts.
It demanded they immediately retract their false claims, issue public apologies, and pay substantial damages for emotional distress. The knockout blow came with a leaked audio recording.
In it, Sierra’s voice was unmistakable, scheming with an unknown man
“The photos and posts went out exactly as you wanted,” the man said. “It’s working like a charm. When do I get the rest of the payment?”
Sierra’s reply dripped with venom. “Once Evelyn Hart’s reputation is in tatters, you’ll get every cent I owe you. I want that tramp to never hold her head up again!”
The recording ended with Declan’s hesitant voice. “Sisi, don’t you think this is going too far?”
Sierra scoffed. “Too far? She humiliated you, Declan. This is too far? I’m telling you, it’s her or me. There’s no room for both of us!” That audio was a bombshell, detonating across the internet.
The backlash was instant. The same netizens who’d torn me apart now flooded my defense with sympathy. Sierra and Declan became pariahs, vilifted overnight.
[Holy crap, Sierra’s pure poison! She’s the mistress, yet she’s framing Evie?]
[Declan’s no saint either, He knew his wife was pulling this crap and let it happen!]
[A social–climbing opportunist and a two–faced manipulator–perfect match. Poor Evie, stuck dealing with these two clowns.]
Soon after, Declan’s university issued a statement announcing a formal investigation into his conduct Sierra, facing charges of defamation and cyberbullying, was summoned by the police.
I stared at the flood of updates on my phone, my emotions a tangled mess.
Julian pushed open the studio door and stepped inside. “It’s handled,” he said, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
I knew he hadn’t slept much these past few days, working tirelessly to clean up this mess for me.
“Julian, thank you,” I said, looking up at him. Gratitude was all I could muster.
He shook his head and pulled me gently into his arms. His embrace was warm, solid, a safe harbor that steadied my frayed nerves.
He leaned close, his voice soft in my ear. “I didn’t do this for your thanks, Evie.
I pressed against his chest, his steady heartbeat grounding me amidst the chaos in my head.
“I just… I couldn’t stand watching you get hurt again,” he said, exhaling heavily. “In our past timeline, I stood by, powerless, as you spiraled into tragedy. That feeling–it was unbearable.”
He tightened his hold. “So in this second chance, I swore to myself that if I got another opportunity, I’d make sure you never went through that again.”
His words hit me like a wave. “Evie, I’m not pitying you. I love you. I’ve loved you since high school, when I saw you at your easel, your eyes sparkling with passion.”
I froze, barely believing what I was hearing
‘Back then, I was too proud, too scared,” he continued.
“I thought we were from different worlds, so I kept my distance, watching you drift toward someone else. I threw myself into studying abroad, building my company, trying to become someone worthy of you.”
“But when I came back, you were already married.”
His voice cracked with regret. “I buried my feelings, locked them away–until I saw you in trouble again.”
I’d never imagined that, in all those years I was oblivious, Julian had carried this quiet, aching love for me.
Tears broke free, streaming down my face. I reached up, wrapping my arms around his waist, and buried my face in his chest. “Julian,” I choked out, “L… I’m willing‘
I was willing to give him a chance and to give myself one too. Willing to believe in love again, to embrace the possibility of happiness.
