CHAPTER 89

CHAPTER 89

SABELA’S POV

“What’s going on?” Ellery asked, uneasy with the long silence that followed my phone call.

I said nothing. My thoughts were spinning, trying to make sense of what Dale had meant by everything he said. The fact that he dared to call me like that—to throw his poison into my peace—was infuriating. But even more, I couldn’t understand why he thought I wanted revenge.

And how did he even know I was working with Ethan again?

Dale had always been the nosy one, poking into everyone’s business, even when it didn’t concern him. I knew that side of him well back when I was close to his brother. Some things never changed.

“Hello? Sabela?” His voice came through the phone again, mockingly smooth. “Don’t tell me I’ve already scared you silent. You’re Sabela Vega, after all. You’re not supposed to—”

“What are you talking about, Dale?” I cut in sharply, my patience wearing thin.

He chuckled, his tone laced with arrogance. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. Don’t play dumb. We both know there’s something profitable that could come out of this little conversation.”

He always talked like that—like everything was a business deal, even betrayal.

“Maybe you should cut to the point,” I said. “Say what you want, so I can decide whether this call is worth my time.”

“Fine,” he replied. “Straight to business. I always liked that about you.” He paused, his voice dropping lower. “I just thought you should know your ex is using you. Ethan’s trying to drag you into something that’ll make his new girl shine while you fade in the background.”

The words hit harder than I expected. Not because I believed him, but because deep down, I feared there might be some truth to them.

I hated how easily Dale could find my insecurities and twist them. That was his real skill—getting inside your head and planting seeds of doubt that grew fast.

“You should know better than anyone,” Dale continued smoothly, “that this is what Ethan does. He uses people. And you? You’re too proud to see it happening again.”

“Cut the manipulation,” I said flatly. “If you’re calling to insult me, this conversation is over.”

“Oh no, Sabela. I’m calling to help you. To stop you from letting him step on you again.” He sighed, the sound dripping with fake concern. “You’re letting him play you like he always has.”

“If you’re trying to drag your family feud into my show, you’ve picked the wrong woman,” I snapped, standing up to pace the room. “Whatever bad blood you have with Ethan has nothing to do with me.”

“It’s not about the feud,” he said. “It’s about your pride. About you not being humiliated again. Don’t tell me you’re really planning to let him use you to help Ariana. After what he did to you?”

My jaw tightened. He knew exactly where to stab.

“And what are you suggesting, Dale?” I asked coldly. “That I sabotage her on air?”

“If that’s what it takes for you to remind Ethan who he’s dealing with, then yes,” he said without hesitation. “You can’t keep letting him get away with walking over you.”

“Get away with what, exactly?” I snapped. “Because last I checked, I’m the one who walked away.”

He paused, then let out a quiet laugh. “You don’t believe that. You left, sure. But not because you didn’t care. You left because he made you feel replaceable. And now you’re about to prove him right by helping his new woman succeed.”

My grip on the phone tightened. His words stung because they were close to the thoughts I’d tried to bury.

“You think you’re over him, but deep down, you still want him to notice you,” Dale went on, his voice low and deliberate. “Otherwise, why take the job? Why host the show that could make her look like a star?”

“Enough,” I said, my voice trembling. “You’ve made your point.”

He chuckled again, sensing my frustration. “No, I don’t think I have. Because the truth is, Sabela, you’re still fighting for Ethan’s attention—and you don’t even realize it.”

That was it. I ended the call before he could say another word.

The silence that followed was deafening. I set the phone on my desk and pressed my palms against my temples. Dale’s voice still echoed in my head, whispering all the things I didn’t want to believe.

“Are you alright, Miss Vega?” Ellery asked softly, stepping closer. Her hand rested gently on my shoulder. “That sounded intense.”

I let out a shaky breath. “He’s good at what he does. Too good. I shouldn’t have picked up that call.”

Ellery frowned. “That was Dale, wasn’t it?”

I nodded. “And he’s trying to play games again. The same games he’s always played.”

She hesitated. “Do you think he’s telling the truth? About Ethan?”

I shook my head. “No. Maybe. I don’t know anymore.” My voice cracked slightly. “He makes you question everything. That’s what he’s always done.”

Ellery stayed quiet, her eyes full of concern.

“I’ll be fine,” I said finally, forcing a small smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Maybe not now, but I will be.”

“You don’t sound fine,” she said. “You sound… tired. Angry.”

“I am,” I admitted. “But anger can be useful. It keeps you focused.”

She tilted her head. “Focused on what?”

I didn’t answer right away. My thoughts were circling back to Ariana—to the mess Ethan had dropped on my lap. If Dale’s words were even partly true, then this show could destroy all of us.

And yet… a part of me still wanted to see it through.

“Book another meeting with Ariana Fisher,” I said finally.

Ellery blinked. “What? After what happened today? That’s not a good idea, Sabela. You were furious when she left.”

“Book it,” I repeated, my tone firm. “I need to see her again.”

Ellery hesitated. “You’re not thinking about—”

“Don’t overthink it,” I cut in. “Just make the call.”

She sighed, defeated. “Alright. I’ll schedule it.”

“Thank you.”

When she left the office, I sank back into my chair, staring at the dark phone screen on my desk.

Dale’s words were still there, like a stain I couldn’t scrub out.

He’s using you.
You’re helping him prove you’re replaceable.

Maybe I was being manipulated. Maybe I was walking straight into his trap. But something inside me told me this was bigger than pride or revenge.

This was about truth. About power. About control.

And if Ethan thought I’d be his pawn again, he was mistaken.

I looked out the window, the city lights flickering against the glass. “You’re not the only one who knows how to play, Ethan,” I whispered. “This time, I’ll make the rules.”