Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 223

Northwood City.

Inside the sprawling master suite of Silverstream Villa, Seraphina stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, her phone pressed to her ear.

On the other end of the line was Bianca, the talent manager for the agency representing the 'Thrice' brand.

“Didn't I tell you to watch your mouth during the stream? What the hell were you thinking?”

Seraphina stared blankly at the manicured gardens outside, a cold, calculating gleam in her eyes. But when she spoke, her voice trembled with perfectly feigned innocence. “I’m so sorry, Bianca. I was just so nervous. I didn’t realize my words would get twisted by the chat...”

Bianca groaned in frustration. “The entire internet is currently tearing Hester Carrington apart! You two are sisters-in-law, for God's sake! What you did looks like a calculated, public hit job against her!”

“That wasn't my intention at all! I’ll speak to Hester personally and smooth things over.”

“Listen to me,” Bianca snapped. “I ran a background check on Hester Carrington. She isn’t some nobody. She’s from the Carrington family, she’s the founder of YAH Jewelry, and she is married to Julian Weston! With a pedigree like that, you should be doing everything in your power to kiss her ass, not throwing her to the wolves! I swear, I don't know what to do with you!”

Seraphina kept her tone desperate and pleading. “Bianca, I promise I will fix this. I won’t let it blow back on the agency.”

“Just handle it. Issue a formal apology or statement immediately and call off your rabid fanbase! You kept insisting you didn't want to show your face online, and I never understood why. Now? I get it. You are a PR nightmare waiting to happen.”

A flash of pure contempt crossed Seraphina’s features, though she maintained her meek persona. “I’m sorry. I’ll make it right.”

“Get it handled before the brand shoot next week,” Bianca ordered coldly before hanging up.

...

Seraphina lowered the phone, instantly dropping the pathetic act.

She casually wiped away a tear that didn't exist.

Opening her contacts, she dialed Julian's number.

He didn't answer.

Undeterred, she called again. And again.

On the third attempt, he finally picked up.

“Seraphina?”

“Julian, I am so, so sorry. I didn't mean to bother you while you're busy, but I think I’ve made a terrible mistake...”

...

Coralton City.

Hester treated Gigi to lunch at a highly-rated private kitchen.

Afterward, the little girl started yawning, rubbing her tired eyes. Feeling a bit lethargic herself, Hester decided they should take the sightseeing tram back to the inn.

Jasper hadn't returned yet, so Hester took Gigi up to her room, and the two of them curled up for a nap.

When Hester woke up, it was already 3:30 PM.

Jett blinked, slightly taken aback by her bluntness.

“Alright, fair enough. I’ll come down and delete them in front of you.”

He turned and disappeared inside. A moment later, the sound of footsteps approached, and Jett stepped out onto the patio.

Back at the airport, he’d been so bundled up in a hat, sunglasses, and a mask that Hester hadn't gotten a good look at him.

Now, seeing him up close, she had to admit he was striking. He had the kind of sharp, aggressively handsome features usually reserved for luxury fragrance campaigns. His deep-set eyes were framed by perfect proportions, and he rocked a close buzz cut—a bold choice that very few male celebrities could pull off without hiding behind styling.

He stopped a few feet away.

At this distance, Jett finally got a clear look at her.

He was slightly nearsighted and only wore contacts on set, preferring to go bare-faced in his downtime. From the balcony, she had been a beautiful blur. Now, the impact of her features hit him like a freight train.

She was breathtaking. The kind of stunning beauty that didn't need a drop of makeup to command attention.

In his line of work, Jett had been surrounded by some of the most gorgeous women in the world.

Yet, none of them had ever made his chest tighten like this.

In that single moment, Jett realized love at first sight wasn't just a movie trope.

He was completely, hopelessly infatuated with a total stranger.