The whole world shifts on its axis. I don’t know what to think about anything. Eight years of seeing things one way, and now this.

“This all seems unreal.” I pace the floor and rub my clammy palms on my pants. “I mean, isn’t this all a little convenient? After eight years, and after telling Cole off for ditching me that day, it suddenly comes out that he was acting in my best interest?”

“Yes, I realize it seems convenient, but that doesn’t make it any less true. I told Cole to be honest with you even at the time, but he refused, not just because it would hurt you, but he was afraid you would skip the audition too and give up your dream. He didn’t want you to play small-time gigs for the rest of your life.”

I can’t argue with that. I would’ve skipped the audition and told that bastard to go straight to hell. “I always knew he didn’t think I was good enough for Cole, but I didn’t think he would go that far. So your husband somehow, what? Convinced the record company to sign me? Was sort of my agent behind-the-scenes? Did he grease palms or something?” I feel dirty. There I was, thinking I made it based on my talent. And now I find out it was all set up for me. I feel a cross between disgust and dismay.

“Your talent got you as far as you’ve come, Taylor. You don’t ever have to question that. But let me ask you this: how do you think a girl as beautiful as you managed to reach the top as quickly as you did without a single moment spent on the casting couch? Hmmm?”

I gasp. Something niggles at the back of my mind, things I’ve overheard, secret whispers about dark parties full of insiders that I’ve never been invited to, but I still don’t want to believe her. I can’t believe her. “The casting couch is for Hollywood not for the music business,” I say scornfully.

A strange expression crosses her face. “Fame and fortune always comes at a great price, Taylor. There are millions of young girls with great talent and yet only a few are picked out to be superstars, what do you think informs the selection process?”

Now that I look back, everything was so easy, if I am honest even too easy. Doors opened that I didn’t even knock on, because I didn’t know they existed. It all fell into place like it was meant to be, or like it was arranged for me.

“Why didn’t Cole tell me all this three weeks ago? Why let me walk away thinking he was at fault?”

“Because he didn’t want to take anything away from you. He didn’t want you to think less of your achievement.”

I stare at her in horror. “My god, he must really, truly love me.”

“Yes, he does. His love is much purer than I ever imagined.”

“Will his father accept me now?”

“No. You will never be acceptable to my husband. He wanted Cole to date and hopefully marry somebody, how do I say this? From our kind.” She winces. I can only imagine how uncomfortable it is for her, talking about her husband like this. She’s nothing if not loyal. To a fault, sometimes.

“Let me guess, someone like Victoria.”

She nods, wrinkling her nose. “Yes.”

My mood darkens. “Did they ever?”

“Never. At first I thought she would make a good candidate, but Cole couldn’t stand her.”

“So, they were never engaged?”

“Most certainly not.”

“And she’s not pregnant with his baby?”

“Unless she found one of his used condoms somewhere and used a turkey baster.”

At any other time I would have laughed, but not now. “You don’t know how relieved you’ve made me. I mean that. Thank you for this.” I cross my hands over my chest and just about burst out sobbing. “I wish Cole had told me a long time ago. I feel so bad. I accused him of being disloyal and unreliable and he has actually been as unshakeable as a rock the whole time.”

She only shakes her head. “Oh, no, sweetheart. Don’t feel bad. What is past is past, but both of you are still so young. You have your whole lives in front of you.”

“Do you think Cole will forgive me? I was very horrible to him at the airport. I think I really hurt him.”

“There is nothing you can do to stop Cole from loving you. He sacrificed his own happiness so you could achieve your dreams. Even though he is a wreck now, he didn’t want me to tell you the truth. He did not ever want you to question your talent or wonder whether you deserve the fame you have found. He wanted you to believe you did it all on your own.”

I stare at her speechlessly. Cole didn’t break his promise. All those years I thought he did.

Catherine shrugs. “I am afraid I just undid all his work, but I felt it was important to both of you. What you do after this is up to you, but I have done my part. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Forgive you?” I go to her and throw my arms around her neck. “I can’t thank you enough!” Questioning where my fame comes from means nothing, nothing to me compared to being without Cole, thinking he didn’t care about me, thinking he lied.

She hugs me back, then smiles up at me. “I’m flying back tonight on our jet. Do you want to come with me?”

Do I? “Yes. More than anything.”