Chapter 86 Mystery Girl
I lay on top of the comforter in our bedroom, legs tucked under me, phone balanced on my knee while I scrolled. The screen glowed blue-white in the dim room. News sites, X threads, even the trashy tabloid recaps, every outlet had a take on Alexander’s press conference. I kept refreshing, waiting for the hate to swell again, for the next wave of venom to hit. It didn’t come, instead the tone had shifted. Most of the top comments were… soft. Protective, romantic.
“Finally a billionaire who actually fights for love instead of hiding it.”
“Man looked like he’d burn the world down for her, I'm crying.”
“Whoever this mystery girl is, she’s living every woman’s dream.”
“Alexander Blackwood said ‘the woman I love’ on live TV and meant it. A lover man we stan.”
“If he’s willing to tank his own company image for her, that’s real, I respect him more from now onwards.”
There were still ugly ones, scattered, vicious, calling me names they didn’t even know yet, but they were being drowned out. Ratioed, buried under heart emojis and wedding edits someone had already started making with blurry stills from the press footage.
I kept scrolling. Smiling despite myself, people were wondering who “the lucky girl” was. Fan accounts had popped up overnight with edits of Alexander looking soft-eyed at press photos of him. Someone even started a hashtag: #WhoIsSheBlackwood?#
I whispered to my stomach, hand resting there. “Your dad’s winning.”
The clock on the nightstand read 4:47 p.m. He’d said thirty minutes. It had been almost two hours. I wasn’t worried exactly, he’d texted: Still in meetings. Home soon. Love you, but I missed him. The house felt too quiet without him in it.
A soft knock on the door. I sat up straighter. “Come in.”
One of the younger maids, Lila peeked inside. “Miss Maddie? Your friends are downstairs. Should I bring them up or would you like to come down?”
My heart lifted. “Bring them up. Please.”
Lila smiled and disappeared.
Less than two minutes later the door burst open again and Clara launched herself across the room like a missile. Sophia followed more sedately, but her arms were already open.
They crashed into me on the bed in a tangle of limbs and perfume and laughter.
Clara spoke first, voice muffled against my shoulder. “That stupid boy who thinks with his short dick.”
We all exploded into laughter, loud, helpless, the kind that makes your stomach hurt.
Sophia pulled back, wiping her eyes. “How do you even know he has a short dick? Don’t tell me you’ve slept with him.”
Clara made an exaggerated gagging sound. “God, no. But I have eye, and standards. Just looking at him I already know he has a short dick.”
More laughter. The tight knot in my chest loosened.
Sophia squeezed my hand. “It’s good to see you laughing. Your man handled it like a king. The narrative’s flipped, shares are up, people are shipping you two like crazy, Ben can go fuck himself.”
I nodded, my throat suddenly tight. “Yeah. Though… everything he said isn’t entirely true.”
Clara waved a hand before I could finish. “Who cares? Truth is boring. The market likes his version. The internet likes his version. And most importantly…” she poked my stomach gently “our godson likes his version.”
Sophia grinned. “Goddaughter.”
Clara gasped theatrically. “Excuse you. It’s a boy. A handsome little menace who’s going to marry my unborn daughter someday. I already have the wedding Pinterest board.”
I laughed again, bubbling joy. “You don’t even have a boyfriend.”
“Details.” Clara flopped onto her back. “The point is, your man is doting on you, he’s handsome, the baby will inherit all this from the father. I’m happy Ben’s little revenge porn stunt backfired spectacularly. We’re winning.”
A soft knock interrupted us.
The door opened and Alexander stepped inside.
He looked tired, shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows, but the second he saw me his whole face softened.
“Hey,” he said quietly.
Clara and Sophia sat up straight. “Hi, Mr. Blackwood.”
He smiled, small, genuine. “Hey, girls. Thanks for coming.”
He looked at me. “How are you, love?”
I felt my cheeks warm. “Fine. We’re fine.”
His gaze dropped to my stomach for a second, then back up. “Good.” He glanced at my friends. “I’ll let you catch up. I’m downstairs if you need anything.” He stepped back and closed the door quietly.
The second it clicked shut Clara clutched her chest. “Aww, girl. You won.”
Sophia nodded solemnly. “Supported.”
I buried my face in my hands, laughing. “Stop.”
Clara wasn’t stopping. “He’s so hot. And he still dots on you like you hung the moon. Oh my God. That’s everything. I can’t believe I was ever shipping you with that small-dick gremlin. Thank God Mr. Alexander acted fast.”
Sophia smirked. “Does he have a single brother? Even if he's older, I don’t mind. A sugar daddy wouldn’t be bad. But if he has a younger one… perfection.”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s thirty-seven.”
Clara gasped. “Maybe I should stop looking at twenty-somethings and check the thirties. Or forties. Their maturity is doing something to me.”
We dissolved into giggles again, high, relieved, the kind of laughter that comes after too much tension.
We talked for another hour, exams, Clara’s latest Tinder horror story, Sophia’s upcoming presentation, random gossip. Lila brought up a tray of snacks and tea; we ate and laughed until my cheeks hurt.
Eventually they stood.
Clara hugged me tight. “We’re here, always.”
Sophia kissed my cheek. “Call if you need us. Day or night.”
I walked them downstairs.
Alexander was in the living room, standing in front of the television, arms crossed, watching the news. When he heard our footsteps he turned, expression softening again.
I told him, “They’re leaving.”
He nodded once. “I’ll tell my driver to drop them off.”
Clara immediately perked up. “That’s perfect. Thank you.”
We all laughed, light.
Alexander walked us out to the waiting black SUV. The night air was crisp, stars sharp overhead.
At the car door he slipped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me against his side. He looked at Clara and Sophia.
“Thank you for coming to check on her,” he said quietly.
Clara grinned. “Anytime. She’s our girl.”
Sophia smiled. “Take care of her.”
“I will.”
They climbed in. Windows rolled down, more goodbyes. Waving hands. Headlights disappearing down the long drive.
Alexander turned me gently toward him, cupped my face, and kissed me slow, soft.
When he pulled back he rested his forehead against mine.
“How are you?” he asked.
I smiled up at him. “Fine, and the baby’s fine.” I covered his hand where it had slid to my stomach.
He exhaled like he’d been holding his breath for hours. “Better now that you’re in my arms.”
We walked back inside together, his arm around my waist, my head on his shoulder.