Chapter Twenty-Five

Riley

"Is it that hard to take down a story that isn't even real?" I shout into my phone. "I don't care how you do it or what it takes. Just get it done."

I end the call and throw my phone onto the leather couch then sit on it as I run my hands through my hair in frustration.

A moment later, the door to my office opens and Margot steps in.

"What?" I snap at her.

She stands where she is, holding the tablet in her hand against her chest.

"Sir, various TV networks and newspapers have been calling, asking for your comment regarding your wife--"

"Just tell them all to fuck off," I tell her as I pour myself a glass of scotch. "If they can't tell what's true from what's not, they have no business being in the media."

Margot nods, then glances at her tablet. "About the meeting in fifteen minutes..."

"I haven't forgotten."

I lift the glass to my lips. The liquid blazes down my throat.

"Yes, sir." Margot turns on her heel and leaves the room.

I finish the rest of my drink in one gulp and sit back with a sigh. What is it with today? Why can't everyone just leave Lena and me alone? Can't they come up with anything else to talk about? Don't the TV networks and newspapers have more important things to report on?

I wouldn't mind it so much if they only reported on Lena being officially married to me or Lena being pregnant. Not even if they reported on what happened at the party last night. Embarrassing as it was, Lena did nothing wrong. She was just nervous during the speech Mickey forced her to give, and she didn't mean to spill her wine on Mrs. Crewson's dress. That's easy enough to explain.

What I don't like is that they're making up lies, malicious rumors, painting Lena as a woman who's not just unfit to be my wife but unfit to be a mother, a person without any intellect, manners or morals. Why? What did she do to them?

It almost feels as if someone's orchestrating all of these fabrications. But who? Who's trying to destroy Lena? Her enemy? My enemy? An enemy of the McAllisters?

The door opens again.

"What is it this time?" I ask as I lift my head.

"Whoa." Jerry puts his hands up. "I was just dropping by to check on you."

"Oh, it's you." I place my hand on my forehead. "I thought you were Margot."

"Busy day, huh?" He walks towards me.

"Tough," I answer.

"Yeah. I can see that." He peers into my empty glass. "And I saw the news."

"That's not news. It's trash."

He sits beside me. "Unfortunately, some people can't tell the difference."

I shake my head. "There should be a special cell in jail for people who spread lies, especially on national TV."

Jerry nods. "Sounds good to me."

He glances at me.

"I don't understand why you're so pissed, though. Aren't you used to the media making up stories about you?"

"I'm used to it. Lena isn't. She didn't ask for this, and what's more, she doesn't deserve this."

Jerry says nothing.

I stand up. "You know what? I'm going to tell Margot I'm holding a press conference."

"To say what?"

"To say it's all lies."

"And you really think that's a good idea?"

I throw him a puzzled look. "What do you mean?"

"Last night, you spoke up for Lena when she was having trouble, but do you think that helped her?"

I don't answer.

"If you keep fighting her battles for her, she'll never win," Jerry tells me. "And things will just get harder and harder for Lena."

"So you're saying I should just leave things alone?"

"I'm saying you should let her handle them."

My gaze narrows. "But like I said, Lena's not used to this."

"Well, she has to get used to it," Jerry says.

I frown.

"You say she didn't ask for this, but she did marry you, and then she agreed to be your wife."

"You know what happened."

"That you forced her to be your wife? Yes, but I also know that she loves you. That's easy for anyone to see. That means she should be prepared for this."

I shake my head. "But she didn't know who I was."

"So you're saying if she knew, she wouldn't have fallen for you?"

I shrug. "I don't know. I just know she's having a tough time right now and that she's pregnant. I should do something."

"It's unfortunate that she's pregnant," Jerry says.

I narrow my eyes at him.

"I mean that this happened while she's pregnant," Jerry corrects himself. "But as your wife, she has to be strong. As a McAllister, she has to prove her worth."

"She doesn't have to prove herself to anyone," I point out. "Least of all to the world."

"But she has to be the one to stand up to them, Riley." Jerry stands up. "Like I said, it's her battle to fight, to win."

"But--"

"If you step in, you won't just make Lena look weak. You'll make her feel weak. It will seem like you have no confidence in her, or even that you're smothering her. You have to give her time and space."

I sigh. I guess I can understand what he's trying to say. You can't expect someone to stand on their own two feet unless you let them try. You can't make something grow unless you give it room.

I sit down. "Fine. I'll just step in if things get too bad."

Jerry pats my shoulder. "I doubt they will. These things usually die down if you ignore them, whereas they'll just grow bigger if you add fuel to the fire."

He's right. I shouldn't allow myself to be provoked into a fight with the media or public opinion. That's a fight I can't win. I shouldn't let it bother me this much. I shouldn't let it matter.

As for Lena, I wish I could at least be with her during these tough times, but I can't because of work. I just have to believe in her and hope that she'll be alright until this all blows over.

I clasp my hands under my chin.

Hang in there, Lena.