I close my eyes in regret and switch my phone back off.
“Kate,” I hear Daniel call from downstairs. “I think we’ve got another problem.”
“What?” I call.
“You better come and see this.”
I drag myself out of bed and walk downstairs to see Daniel still watching the news.
In a breaking news update, the mystery woman involved in the domestic incident today with Elliot Miles has been confirmed as Kate Landon, until recently an employee of Miles Media.
It has been alleged that Elliot Miles is involved in a sordid love triangle with Kate Landon and her partner, Daniel Stevens.
Landon, who lives with Stevens, was photographed with Miles in New York last week but has since returned to her home and partner. It is thought that Mr. Miles is upset with her returning to her partner, thus the altercation this afternoon in Battersea Park.
It flicks to photographs of me and Daniel holding hands and Daniel with his arm around me. A few of us arriving at various balls in different locations, each one strategically shot so that it looks like Daniel and I are together.
Then there are photos of me and Elliot in New York together last week, holding hands as we walked out of a restaurant. Another where he is kissing me in the car. Another of us in a shop and Elliot buying me lingerie. Another shot of me with Elizabeth Miles at our lunch date.
“Get fucked,” Daniel whispers in horror.
“What the hell?” I put my hands over my mouth.
It goes to a shot of our house. Our eyes meet. “Hang on a minute, how did they get that?” He slowly gets up and walks to the window and his face falls. “Shit.”
“What?” I run over and peer through the curtains to see a sea of photographers all set up on the pathway opposite our apartment. Cameras facing the house, waiting for their shot.
“Oh my God.” I put my head into my hands. “This is a disaster, what do we do now?”
He hands me his phone. “Call him and find out. He does own a media company, after all. Surely there’s a law about making up lies about people.”
I exhale heavily. “I don’t want to call him.”
“Have you got a better idea?” Daniel points at the window. “Asking him what to do in this situation is not taking him back, Kate.”
“You’re right. Ugh, fine. I’ll call him from my phone.” I head toward the stairs.
“Let me know what he says.”
“Okay.” I trudge up the stairs and pick up my phone, turn it on.
Thirty-six missed calls from Elliot.
I sit on the bed and hold the phone in my hands. I really don’t want to call him.
What is there to say?
My phone rings in my hand, causing me to jump and fumble with it. It’s him.
“Hello,” I answer.
“Kate . . . hi.” His voice is soft, cautious.
I stay silent, unsure what to say.
“I’m sorry about the press, I’ll handle it tomorrow.”
“How?” I ask. “How will you handle it, Elliot?”
“I don’t—” He cuts himself off.
“The love triangle . . . with pictures as proof.” I get a lump in my throat as shame overwhelms me.
He lets out an audible sigh. “Don’t cry, sweetheart, I’ll fix it.”
“If I could believe anything that comes out of your mouth, then maybe I’d believe you,” I spit. “You can’t fix this, Elliot.”