Chapter 68 – The Media Trap
The call came at 6:12 a.m.
Alex was already awake.
He stood by the kitchen island, jacket draped over one arm, tie undone, eyes fixed on the city stretching awake beneath the pale morning sky. His phone vibrated once against the marble.
He didn't need to check the caller ID.
"Good morning," he said calmly as he answered.
"Alexander," the PR director's voice came through tight and rushed, professionalism barely holding. "We have a situation."
Amber, still in an oversized shirt, paused mid-step on her way to the coffee machine. She didn't turn, but she listened.
Alex glanced at her briefly, then away. "Talk."
"The Isabella Moore angle is gaining traction," the director continued. "Entertainment blogs picked it up overnight. They're framing it as… tension within the marriage."
Amber's fingers curled slowly around the mug.
"Tension sells," Alex said. "Facts don't."
"Yes, but perception matters. The board is already nervous. They're requesting a corrective narrative—fast."
Amber finally spoke. "Let me guess. A performance."
Alex ended the call without answering her, then turned fully to her.
"They want an interview," he said. "Joint. Controlled. Today."
Amber laughed once, sharp and disbelieving. "Of course they do."
"It will shut down speculation."
"No," she corrected, stepping closer. "It will feed it. You don't smother a fire by throwing yourself into it."
Alex met her gaze steadily. "You knew this was part of the arrangement."
"I knew appearances were," she replied. "Not emotional theatre."
"This isn't emotional," he said. "It's strategic."
Amber's eyes flashed. "Everything is strategic to you."
A beat passed.
"Will you do it?" he asked.
She stared at him for a long moment, weighing pride against consequence, irritation against logic. This was the trap—one she'd sensed tightening for days. And whether she liked it or not, she was already standing in the center of it.
"Yes," she said finally. "But on my terms."
Alex nodded once. "Name them."
"No questions about Isabella."
"Agreed."
"No probing about intimacy."
"They'll try."
"They won't succeed."
He studied her, then inclined his head. "Done."
Two hours later, they sat side by side beneath studio lights that felt far too bright.
Amber crossed her legs slowly, posture immaculate, expression unreadable. Alex sat close—close enough that the cameras framed them as a unit. His arm rested casually along the back of her chair. Not touching.
Yet.
The interviewer smiled too widely. "Amber, Alexander—thank you for being here. The public has been fascinated by your relationship."
Amber smiled back. Polite. Controlled. Dangerous. "We've noticed."
Laughter rippled through the studio.
"So let's address the rumors directly," the interviewer continued. "There's been speculation about a third party—"
Alex cut in smoothly. "Speculation thrives in silence. That's why we're here."
Amber glanced at him, surprised by the subtle solidarity.
"How would you describe your marriage?" the interviewer asked.
Amber answered without hesitation. "Private."
Alex added, "Intentional."
Their eyes met briefly. Something unspoken passed between them.
"Is love part of the equation?" the interviewer pressed.
Amber felt the question like a blade sliding between her ribs.
Alex's hand moved then—settling lightly at her waist.
The contact was minimal.
Intentional.
She didn't flinch.
"We didn't rush into fantasy," Alex said evenly. "We built something stable."
Amber inhaled slowly, then spoke. "Love isn't loud for everyone. Sometimes it looks like trust. Like choosing each other when it would be easier not to."
The truth sat uncomfortably close to the lie.
The interview ended with applause and flashing cameras. Outside, chaos waited—reporters shouting questions, microphones shoved too close.
Alex's hand found hers instinctively.
Amber stiffened.
Then—slowly—she didn't pull away.
They walked together through the noise, fingers loosely intertwined, selling the illusion with frightening ease.
Inside the car, silence crashed down around them.
"That was convincing," Amber said quietly.
"Yes."
She looked at him. "Did you mean any of it?"
Alex hesitated.
Just long enough.
"That's the problem," she continued softly. "I don't know anymore."
Neither did he.
Outside, headlines were already changing.
WILSON POWER COUPLE SHUTS DOWN RUMORS
AMBER GARETH STANDS BY HUSBAND — LOVE CONFIRMED?
Amber stared out the window as the city blurred past.
The trap had closed.
And this time, it wasn't just the media watching.