Page 107 of Faking Ties
Stella’s voice cracks, and a sob escapes her lips. She takes a moment to compose herself before continuing, “All I ever wanted to do was share my music and connect with my fans through my songs. Now, my life feels like a tabloid story—dissected, analyzed, twisted. I get that this is part of the job, trust me, I do. But it’s never been on this level.”
Stella wipes at the tears falling down her cheeks. “So, you want the truth? Well, here it is. In the past six months, I’ve found out I’m adopted, have been dealing with burnout, and I married Jax in secret. I know you’re probably more interested in that last one, especially since Jax has been spouting so many rumors about me, so let me explain it a little more. My marriage to him lasted less than a week before I found him in bed with another woman and annulled it. The worst part is, I thought he was the one, my happily ever after. And honestly? I’m still not over the pain he caused me, and I still haven’t even begun to process the fact that I’m adopted.
“So, am I acting differently?” She shrugs. “Yeah, I guess I am. I don’t have someone impersonating me. Instead, heartbreak, stress, and major life events have changed me. I’ve been pushing myself for so long to achieve more and more success, but I didn’t realize how close to burnout I was until recently. And yeah, some of my performances might have been wobbly, but I still showed up. My fans are the most important people in my life, and I refuse to disappoint them.”
Stella pauses before trying to continue, but the words catch in her throat like smoke caught in a chimney. She clears her throat and chokes out, “So even if Jax doesn’t like who I am now, I do. I’m the same Stella Wilde as I’ve always been, just more tired and heartbroken than when you first met me.” Stella glances atme. “Because I haven’t processed the hurt from my relationship with Jax ending, it’s unfair to Hunter to continue our relationship. He’s been my rock since we started dating, but we’re better off as friends. He’ll always hold a special place in my heart, and I’m so lucky to have gotten to know him.”
Stella huffs out a breath. “So, I guess that’s me, messy and imperfect, heartbroken and stressed. All I’m asking…no, all I’m begging is for you to please stop with the conspiracies, please stop trying to find a nonexistent impersonator. Instead, I challenge you to question why Jax is stirring up all this drama. I have multiple theories on that, but I’d be more interested to hear yours.”
Stella nods briefly and Brianna stops recording.
“Was it okay?” Stella asks, wringing her hands.
“It was perfect,” Aria says. “I love that you made your own Jax-focused challenge for people to latch on to.”
Stella nods and stands, looking completely lost. I’ve been frustrated with Stella for a while now. For not sticking up for Elodie. For lying. But I can’t imagine what she must’ve been dealing with being in the public eye. Because what she mentioned in her video? That’s just the tip of the iceberg from the past months and it makes me wonder, what has she been dealing with for the past years?
I reach out for Stella, my touch hesitant, beforepulling her into an embrace. She clings to me, and I pat her back.
“I’m so fucking proud of you,” I say. “What you did was so brave.”
“Thank you,” she whispers. “I hope it’ll help.”
“It will,” I say confidently.
ELODIE
My new normal consists of spending time with Mom and Nina and baking nonstop, trying to come up with a concept for my nonexistent bakery. They’ve tried each of my desserts, and they’re all good, but I want something different. Something that stands out from the typical shop.
Stella and Aria proposed that I could debut my bakery at a charity event they’re organizing. It’s a fantastic idea, especially with the publicity that will follow, but that also has put me under time pressure to work something out. I don’t even know if I want to make an online-only store or have a shop in Skyrise, to be close to Hunter.
“What do you have this time?” Nina says, breezing into my mom’s house. “Oh wow, what smells so good?”
“Chai-spiced donuts.”
Nina makes some grabby hands. “Give me.”
I laugh and put one on a plate, passing it to her.
She takes a big bite and sighs. “This slaps. You definitely need to have something donut related in your bakery.”
“But I want to have a new take on donuts. Right now, the favorites are cookies and donuts and—” I break off, an idea striking me. “Wait, what if I make a donut-stuffed cookie?”
“I have no idea what that entails, but my mouth just watered.”
I laugh and grab a muffin tin. “Maybe I can use a donut hole instead. Make them thick and gorgeous and a perfect balance between the two desserts.” I glance at the time and do a double take at Nina. “Wait, what are you doing here so early?”
“Have you been online recently?”
I shake my head. I did, when I first got home, but I was checking for updates obsessively. From Hunter, from Stella, from the media and it all became too much, too unhealthy for me to continue like that. So, I deleted all my social media and only answer my phone if it rings with a call, most of the time from Hunter. Stella’s been on lockdown, so we haven’t been able to talk much.
“Stella released a statement, a plea for people to back off on this stupid competition and she publicly broke up with Hunter. But that’s not the issue. Jax responded by questioning the original video I posted of you singing at the bar in Nashville. He said Stellawould never do that and asked for people to head there to investigate that night.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure if people are going to follow the trail after Stella’s video, but if they do…”
I nod, picking up what she’s putting down. “I got you. I’ll be careful.” I haven’t left the house since arriving here. My town is too small, too gossip filled to debut my new look without speculation. “Let’s move you, my mom, and me to Skyrise, or a city nearby. No one will know us there. We can move around more freely.”
