Chapter 102 It has always been you
Veronica's POV:
"Wait," Theo said, his hand hovering over the keyboard. "This isn't a good idea. Stealing hotel security footage... encrypted footage that I accessed through questionable means... while the police are actively investigating? That's not just legally questionable, Max. That's potential criminal charges."
He turned to look at his brother, his expression serious. "Are you ready to play thief in front of the cops? Because that's what we'd be doing. And when they find out... and they will find out... it won't just undermine our case. It could land us in jail."
"The cops are already searching through the footage," Max argued. "They'll find the same feed eventually. We're just... expediting the process."
"That's not how it works, and you know it," Theo shot back. "There's a reason evidence has to be obtained legally. If we steal this footage and post it, Laura's lawyers will have it thrown out. They'll paint us as criminals, manipulating evidence, fabricating context."
"So what do you suggest?" Max demanded. "We just sit here while Veronica's reputation gets destroyed? While people believe she's an escort?"
"No," Theo said calmly. "We work with the police. We tell them about the encrypted feeds. We let them access it legally and include it in their investigation. It takes longer, but it's the right way."
"We don't have time for the right way..."
"Stop," I interrupted. "Both of you, just stop."
They both turned to look at me, and I could see the conflict in both their faces.
Max wanted to fight, to act, to fix things immediately. Theo wanted to be strategic, to do things properly.
"Theo's right," I said quietly. "About the footage. We can't steal it. But Max is right too... we need something more than just audio."
"Then what?" Max asked, frustration clear in his voice.
"I don't know yet," I admitted. "But I know that if we start breaking laws to prove my innocence, we're just giving Laura more ammunition against us."
Max was quiet for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. "Fine. No footage of footage. But I'm going to the police station. I'm going to make sure they know about those encrypted feeds, make sure they're reviewing them as part of the investigation."
"Max..." Theo started.
"I'll deal with it," Max interrupted. "I know many of the officers here. I've worked with them before... well, in situations like this. Bar fights, incidents. They know me. They'll listen."
He looked at Theo, then at me. "You take Veronica back home. Stay with her. Make sure she's safe, that she eats something, that she rests. I'll handle the police, the evidence, all of it."
I felt something tighten in my chest, watching Max prepare to walk into another big mess on my behalf.
The extent of the risks he was taking for me... first stepping away from Laura's engagement trap, now potentially putting himself in legal jeopardy to help clear my name.
"Max," I said softly. "Thank you. For everything."
He gave me that cocky half-smile, though it didn't quite reach his blue eyes. "What are fake fiancés for, right?"
The joke fell flat, and the three of us stood there in uncomfortable silence for a moment.
Then I looked at Theo, and remembered the expression on his face when I'd walked onto that stage with Max.
The hurt in his green eyes.
"Theo," I said. "I need to tell you something. About the stage, about the engagement announcement..."
"Let's get you home first," Theo interrupted, his voice carefully neutral. "You need food, water, rest. We can talk later."
The car ride back to my penthouse was silent. Very painful and awkward silence.
Theo drove with his eyes focused on the road.
I tried several times to start a conversation, but each attempt died in my throat.
When we finally reached my building, Theo helped me out of the car. Like I was a stranger, he was assisting.
Inside my penthouse, Theo immediately excused himself to the guest room.
"You should shower, eat something," he said, still not meeting my eyes. "I'll be here if you need anything. But you should rest."
"Theo..."
"Goodnight, Veronica."
The door closed softly but firmly between us.
I stood in the hallway, staring at that closed door, feeling like something was cracking inside my chest.
No. Absolutely not. We were not doing this.
I marched to the guest room door and knocked sharply. "Theo. We need to talk."
"It's late..."
"I don't care," I said. "Open this door. Now."
Silence.
Then footsteps.
The door opened, and Theo stood there, still in his tuxedo, his tie loosened, looking tired and sad.
"What's wrong with you?" I demanded, pushing past him into the room. "You've been avoiding me since we left the hotel. Won't look at me, won't talk to me, you are treating me like I'm some kind of..."
"You're engaged to my brother," Theo said quietly.
I stopped mid-sentence, turning to stare at him.
"What?"
"For the world, you're engaged to Max," Theo continued. "You announced it on stage. In front of five hundred people. It's all over social media. And I want it to stay that way."
"Are you seriously buying that?!" I couldn't process what he was saying. "Theo, that was fake. That was just to save Max from Laura's trap. You know that."
"I know that," he agreed. "But the world doesn't. And right now, maintaining that fiction is probably the best thing for you."
"Best thing for me?" I repeated, anger rising to replace my confusion. "How is pretending to be engaged to Max when I... when we are really having something running between us..."
"It protects you," Theo said simply. "From further scandal. From accusations that you're playing both of us. It gives you stability, a clear narrative. You and Max, together. No more confusion. No more love triangle."
I stared at him, seeing the hurt that he was trying to hide.
"Why are you giving up on me?" I asked, my voice breaking. "Theo, you brought out the best in me. Ever since the expo. Maybe even before that. I'd subconsciously made my choice, Theo. It's you. It has always been you."
For a moment... I saw hope flash in his green eyes. Then it died, replaced by something sadder.
"Max needs you, Veronica," Theo said softly. "More than I do. And that is why we both can't be together."