Page 225 of Fame & Rhythm

“No,” I say, softer now. “I just wanted this to stay between us. There are already enough rumors about me as it is. I don’t need the paparazzi chasing me over this… or chasing you. They’re relentless, Loretta. You can’t trust them.”

Another pause.

Then she sighs. “Okay… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken to them. I see that now. But Annie… I’m proud of you. When I had the chance to tell the world you were mine…” Her voice warms. “I won’t lie, I was excited. You mean so much to me. I just wanted people to know I brought someone so incredible into the world.”

Her words settle over me, easing some of the tension in my chest. “Do you think you could come over?” I ask. “Everyone’s pretty angry. I think they need to hear your side.”

“Of course, honey. I’ll leave now.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me, and end the call without saying goodbye. Ella walks in a moment later and drops down beside me on the couch. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I rest my phone in my lap. “I just spoke to her. She’s coming over to explain.”

Ella’s eyebrows shoot up, and she bites her lip. “Do you think that’s a good idea? Mum might actually strangle her.”

A small breath leaves me. “I know Mum’s angry. But maybe it’s not as simple as she thinks. Maybe Loretta really does just want to be part of my life.”

“I don’t know, Annie. Just be careful, okay? I love you, and I only want you to be happy. If that means having her in your life, then I’m all for it. But if she makes things harder for you, then maybe you need to let her go,” Ella says. I nod slowly, taking that in. “You were pretty harsh on Aston before,” she adds gently. “He’s worried about you, you know.”

I roll my eyes, but there’s no real heat behind it. “Maybe he should think before he opens his mouth. If Loretta is trash to him, then what does that make me? And if that’s how he sees it, then I don’t know where that leaves us.” Even as I say it, something tightens painfully in my chest.

“Annie,” Ella says, her voice soft but firm. “He loves you. That’s painfully obvious. He doesn’t see you as trash. None of us do. We just don’t want to see you get hurt. That’s all.”

I nod again, quieter this time. I don’t want to be used. But I need to hear everything before I make that call. “I know,” I murmur. “Maybe I was a bit harsh.”

Ella gives a small nod. “Just make sure he knows where you stand. Right now, he’s probably freaking out that you’re going to walk away.”

My chest constricts again at that. I wouldn’t leave him. I hate being away from him. We’re fine… I just need to remind him of that.

“Okay. I’ll talk to him,” I say, before the buzzer sounds at the gate.

“But I’ll get the door first.”

Ella nods, and we walk out together. She peels off toward the kitchen while I head for the front door, pressing the button to open the gate. I wait, watching as Loretta’s car rolls slowly down the drive.

Loretta steps out of the car with a bright smile, walking toward me like nothing is wrong. “Hey,” she says.

“Hi,” I reply, my tone guarded.

She doesn’t hesitate, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around me before I can react.

“I’m so sorry, Annie,” she says quickly. “I never meant to hurt you by talking to those photographers. I hope you can understand why I did it.” She pulls back, searching my face.

My brow furrows. “You knew they were there, didn’t you?”

Her shoulders drop slightly, her gaze falling to the ground.

There it is.

“Why did you do it?” I ask, my voice tightening as I feel anger starting to build.

She looks back up at me. “Honestly?” I nod once. “I am sorry,” she says. “If I’d known it would upset you, I wouldn’t have said anything. But you have to understand, Annie… my life is nothing like yours.” She hesitates, then pushes on. “I’m struggling. I can barely keep my house because I can’t make rent. I can’t get a job, not looking like this, and the bills just keep piling up.” Something in my stomach drops. “I know I have no right to ask…” she continues quickly, “… but if you could loan me some money, it would help so much. I’ll pay you back, of course. I just… I want to stay here. I want to be close to my daughter—”

“Are you serious?” I cut in, my voice rising. Heat floods through me, sharp and immediate.

It’s not about the money. I have more than enough to give her, but she’s barely come back into my life, and already—

“I just want to be near you,” she insists. “To get to know you. To be here as your mother—”