chapter 1

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Théo draws Ana into the study so he could install another listening device. He asks Ana if her parents didn't install CCTV cameras in the study. She says her mother didn't want cameras in the bedrooms, in the bathrooms, and in the study.

Ana tells him about what Rafa did to her ex boyfriend who broke her heart.

Théo concludes Raffaele is capable of violence.

Over lunch with the Valtieris minus Hugo, Théo listens in to Rafa and Alissa arguing with Rafa about the dropped murder charges.

Théo asks Anastasia about the murder charges that were dropped. He asks if Rafa told her anything about the two men who got shot. Ana wants to tell him something but she seems scared. Théo digs up more dirt on the Valtieris.

Veronica goes to Philly to tell her mom about her problem with Théo. After Théo blocked her numbers again, Dr. Michel tells her to either confront or move on from Théo. Work for herself and her baby.

Via gets an unexpected visit from Théo's mother at her new house in NY. V gets surprised by Claudia Reynaud's warning for her to stay away from her son for a while. Claudia tells her Théo needs to focus on himself and his personal goals for the time being and that Via should back off for her own good. Via gets upset when Claudia leaves without explaining further.

Via calls Théo again, despite her qualms. Théo blocked her number, still. She's still having a hard time dealing with depression and heartache and being pregnant out of wedlock, especially after what his mother said that Théo was doing better now after the breakup, that he had definitely moved on to better things. Feeling terrible, Via buys herself the new house to distract herself from all the drama in her life but it doesn't relieve her of anxiety and depression.

After more than one week in recovery, Kyle gets out of the hospital and they plan to start touring again. Kyle notices Veronica's baby bump and asks her about her plans to talk to Théo about it. Kyle tells her to go to Italy to confront Théo.

Kyle sympathizes with her. Via almost asks Kyle if he could come with her to Rome and confront Théo to convince T she didn't cheat on him with Kyle. Via decides to go to Rome after she was done paying the down payment with her own money so she could move into her new house. Impulse buying.

Using the audio feedback in the guest room, Théo hears about Raffaele and Enzo talking about him. Raffaele doesn't trust him and thinks he's not just a model. Lorenzio mentions the murder charges, which Rafa insists is a scheming plot by someone who has beef with his father, to put him behind bars to get back at Mr. Valtieri.

It's Leandro Tomassini's plot to overthrow the Valtieri's foothold in Rome, but Enzo doesn't know.

Then Rafa mentions the ambush that almost killed Enzo. Enzo tells Rafa he didn't want the police involved because his brother Leandro was already sorting it out and he didn't want the police snooping around their family.

Théo suspects the Tomassinis have major skeletons in their closet.

Théo tries to contact Gillaume and tells her he needs to get a gun for his own safety. He tells her Raffaele was onto him and tells her about Anastasia's claims about her family:  Rafa was living with a Chinese girl and Hugo was into young mistresses.

Then Théo asks Gillaume if the agency found out who wanted to kidnap his nephew to get back at him. Gillaume tells him she would have solid facts soon, and tells him to keep doing more digging on the Raffaele and Hugo. Gillaume tells him to give her a call if the situation becomes too volatile, especially if Raffaele blows his cover because that might end up with Théo going home in a casket.

Then Geri calls to tell him he had the guns ready. Théo meets up with Geri to get the guns While he tries not to panic, he gets a call from Tomek. Tomek tells him they had to meet up in Rome for a quick conversation about Veronica. Théo hesitates but agrees.

Théo tells Anastasia to just agree to her parents' wish and go to rehab. He lies to her and tells her he  has a job to do in Milan but he will be back in two days. Ana tells him she doesn't want him to leave Italy yet. She makes him promise he would come back in two days. The next day the earliest. Théo feels manipulated but chalks it up to her frustrations with her parents and her brother.

Meanwhile, in Milan, Tomek and Via talk about her plans to reveal her secret to Théo. (Tomek and Via convo with Adrien.)

8 days left

Théo leaves the estate for two days and calls Tomek to meet up. (Orig ch6 Backstage in Tomek's POV) Théo finds out Via is staying in Rome for two days for a promo job. She will be in the city for a quick acoustic guesting at a music event. Tomek and Adrien leave for Milan for a job and they leave T and V alone to catch up.

Via and Théo book a room at a hotel (chapter 19 MOH og). She first asks him what he'd been doing in Rome and if he still wanted to be her partner at Bre's wedding. If not, she would ask Kyle. Théo, jealous, tells her to go ahead and ask Kyle instead. Théo thinks Via only traveled to Italy for a show and was only forced to meet up with him because Tomek set them up to meet.

Before she could tell him her big fat secret, they start arguing over the whole thing, about Théo avoiding her for weeks and for being secretive and doing drugs, and him telling his mom about the breakup. The argument continues when Théo tells her he hadn't told his mom that they broke up and Via accuses him of lying and cheating on her that weekend in New York, when they last slept together.

They argue about Ana and him staying at the house with Ana and her family because Via thinks Théo wants to marry Anastasia.  Théo gets more upset when Veronica tells him to leave.

(Orig chapter 16-17 Backstage)

Théo accuses her of not giving shit about how he feels and he tells her he was never her priority when they were together because she was always with Kyle, making her think he believes she cheated on him with Kyle.

She breaks off the fight and decides to tell him she's pregnant and she had to leave Italy to go back home. Théo gets upset and immediately concludes Kyle got her pregnant, recalling that time they both found out he didn't get her pregnant almost one month ago when her cycle was late.

He teases her with a kiss and reminds her she still wants him and that meant she wouldn't be happy with Kyle.

They end up in bed when she kisses him back and they have sex again without protection. Théo starts apologizing to her afterwards. Veronica feels ashamed but she concludes Théo only wanted to have sex with her to spite her, and that's the only reason he agreed to meet up with her. Disgusted, she decided to let him think Kyle was the baby's father to spite Théo.

When Théo tells her he needs to go back to the Valtieris the next day, Via ends up crying in the bathroom, more jealous, thinking she and her baby would only be his obligation and liability from here onwards.

While he musters up his cool, Théo receives a photo from an anonymous number. It was a recent photo of Veronica at the airport. Théo doesn't let Via leave the hotel to keep her out of the Valtieris' sights.

Théo accuses her of having had feelings for Kyle hence their breakup. Via slaps him and gets angered by his accusation and starts to walk out on him. Théo stops her, afraid for her safety.  Upset and crying again, she recalls that night she almost lost their baby. She decided she wouldn't tell him what happened because she was feeling used and betrayed.

Théo stops consoling her and admits he lied to her, feeling like a worthless fraud. He leaves Via alone for a moment.

Théo calls his mother to ask why Claudia went to see Veronica, but his mother barely tells him anything.

"Just do what you have to do, Althéo. I'll take care of the rest."  Claudia promised.  "Clara and Tristan are doing fine. Your Mamie is safe in the facility."

"You are just plain selfish. Do you know that?"

"Don't contact anyone outside of Rome except your boss. Be safe."

Before Théo could drive Veronica back to the airport, he sees Raffaele's car following them. Théo drives Veronica to a police station to meet up with Tomek and Théo tells her to leave for Milan.  Veronica tells him she won't contact him again and Théo doesn't argue.

Two hours later

Raffaele confronts him outside the Valtieri estate. Raffaele threatens him and warns him to stay out of their business if he didn't want trouble.

Raffaele warns him to keep out of his family's business. They get into a physical altercation when Raffaele threatens to hurt Veronica if Théo didn't stay away from Anastasia.  Anxious for his family's safety, Théo calls Clara to tell her to  leave France for a while but Clara doesn't agree because Tristan would be traumatized again.

When he goes back inside the mansion, Anastasia pitches a fit, suspecting he went to see his ex because of what her brother told her.  Anxious for his family's safety, Théo calls Clara to tell her to  leave France for a while but Clara doesn't agree because Tristan would be traumatized again.

Théo assumes his cover and plans had been compromised when Rafa confronts him again but Mrs. Valtieri interferes and shows her cold, bossy side.

Théo talks to Mrs. Valtieri who thinks he only wanted to marry Anastasia to get a hold of her inheritance. Théo makes up another lie and tells Mrs. Valtieri he only wants the best for Anastasia because she is a troubled girl prone to depression and suicidal thoughts.

Théo calls Gillaume to give an update.  Frustrated that Gillaume wouldn't tell him who tried to kidnap Tristan and pressed for time, he convinces the matriarch to send Ana to rehab to sort her out.

Leandro was the one who ordered one of his men to kidnap Tristan a few months ago to threaten Théo  after Leandro found out that Théo manipulated and spied on Leandro's British accountant and ex-girlfriend, Masha Linneker and helped put her in prison. Tristan, aged 5 that time, was dropped off past midnight at his daycare center after being missing for twelve hours.

After Ana almost overdoses on prescription pills, Hugo then agrees to send her daughter to rehab. When Ana finds out, she begs Théo to take her out of Italy so her parents would stop controlling her life. Théo pities her when she starts crying and begging but he convinces her it's for her own good. He lies to her that they would elope after she finishes months of rehab treatment. Ana gets out of the hospital three days later and goes  straight to rehab the next day.

Hugo calls Théo and trusts Théo with a courier job, a locked case full of cold cash to be sent to Leandro Tomassini's office, clueless about what it contained. Money laundering scheme.

Veronica is not responding to his messages.

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In Paris

Raffaele's henchman tricks Veronica and the driver tells her Théo sent him to pick her up. In the car, she is then interrogated by Raffaele about Théo's real identity.

The accusations confuse her more and the guard threatens her that if she lies,  she would put herself in a very awkward position. The guard pretends to be a local cop. Via insists she doesn't know about Théo being a spy because she never suspected anything apart from him being a top model because it's all he's been doing for almost a decade now.

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One day left before his deadline...

Théo and Hugo almost get shot dead while they're driving to the airport to pick up someone Hugo is doing business with.

When Hugo Valtieri ends up in the hospital after the assassination attempt, Théo's mother, a high-ranking chief in the agency, immediately orders his exfiltration before he could gather enough evidence against Hugo Valtieri's illegal transactions with the Southern mafia, and before his cover gets blown by Raffaele.

Claudia Reynaud is Gillaume's new boss, but Théo has no idea.

Théo gets disappointed but at least he got to meet his mother in person again and they have a sincere conversation about his life and the family she left behind in Paris. Claudia tells him his father wasn't killed in a car accident. Instead, she found out his father had been murdered by a mafia boss who she put in prison a decade ago. His father dying suddenly is what pushed Théo to turn away from his teenage vices and join the CSP, the DEA's confidential source program.

The next day •  Théo travels from Paris to NY

Théo visits Veronica in New York, clueless that he was the father of her baby because Veronica blocked all of his numbers and she wasn't replying to his emails, either. He also still believed that Kyle got her pregnant after they broke up.

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Veronica is a songwriter/musician in a band trying her best to stay relevant in the music industry. While their band tries to meet deadlines and peer expectations, she finds herself dealing with long-distance relationship issues with Théo, her supermodel boyfriend—a famous French model also battling personal demons of his own.

Post-breakup depression hits them  both while they try to move on and focus on their career and priorities.  When Kyle, her bandmate and close friend, gets a health scare that leaves them struggling with commitments and their relationship, Veronica seeks solace in her first real love: music.

On the other hand, Théo turns to drugs to deal with his own problems and grief. Veronica  hears about it from a common friend and instantly blames herself. While she focuses on work, getting her own house in New York, and patching things up with Kyle, she reminisces about Theo and his proposal, their previous relationship,  and his ample dating life after her. It shoves her back into her shell of insecurity and self-loathing. 

Without her knowledge, Théo keeps tabs on her all year but fails to prove his suspicions that she cheated on him with Kyle before the breakup. A pregnancy scare gives Veronica more sleepless nights, so she avoids talking to Théo. Consequently,  he just grows even more jealous of Kyle. This worsens Théo's depression and leads him struggling with addiction and his stubborn feelings for her. On impulse, he goes back to New York to confront Veronica. 

During a weekend break from recording, she helps Kyle decide whether to push through with the surgery to remove his brain tumor. Veronica gets surprised by Théo's off-the-cuff visit and jealous behavior, seeing as he's been the one busy with dating new people since they've broken up.  

Kyle tries to diffuse the situation by asking Théo to hang out over dinner with the band and they have a serious talk alone.  Kyle, recovering from his illness, assures him that Veronica is only a good friend.  Théo doesn't let go of his misgivings and meets up with Veronica the next day, despite knowing she doesn't really want to hang out with him. Although bothered by his impulsive actions, she senses his loneliness and since they're still "friends",  she lets him tag along during one of the band's shows in a big music festival in the East Coast. 

Fans and acquaintances in the music and fashion scene recognize them and ask for pictures with them -- clueless of their past and present relationship woes. Théo acts like he's alright with pretending in front of fans and cameras. This goes on for two weeks until he decides to leave the US due to his international work commitments. Veronica realizes pretending everything was all good helps lessen her anxiety, so she tries to stay casual and friendly -- she missed spending time with him, too.

Her mom gets wind of their festival appearance and tells her to focus on work and herself, and that she should stop hanging out with Théo. Veronica apologizes over the phone for the disappointment and accompanies Kyle during his radiation treatment, deciding to postpone their album release and promo tour till he gets better. 

Without saying a proper goodbye,  Théo goes back to Paris to seek peace of mind and get rid of his addiction and depression.  He checks into rehab but doesn't let Veronica know.

Months later, the band launches their new record, and Veronica is grateful for Kyle's speedy recovery. They keep their friendship strong during the heavy touring and promotional guestings all over the US.

After doing a number of shows during New York Fashion Week, Théo secretly attends one of the band's live sets with Tomek, his best friend, who readily accuses him of stalking Veronica again. Théo denies it even to himself, thinking he just wants to check on her and see her in person again.

Veronica feels on top of the world when their new album gets critical success and a boost in sales just after their first tour. She gets the payment ready for her new house. Alone in her New York apartment, she wishes she could share the good news with Théo as well. Again, she reminisces about happier times with him.

When she hears of Théo being in New York again, she gets a call from him and agrees when he asks if they could meet up. Théo apologizes to her, embarrassed by his behavior the last time they were together. She supposed his behavior was due to the stress of his job and losing his dad. 

She tells him to take a break from work and focus on his health. Contrite and friendlier, he offers to help her pay for her new house. Actually he just wants to hang out so he wouldn't feel so alone and depressed again. Théo realizes he's still not over their breakup and that he's wrong for believing she cheated on him with Kyle.  Théo  takes a quick break from modeling to see if he could study sports medicine. Veronica encourages his plans and tells him to explore his options.  Théo stays in the US for another week to assist the band while touring around the East Coast. The weekend before his flight back to Paris, he tells Veronica he wants her back.

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chapter 12

+ T turns to hard drugs to deal with post-breakup depression

+ V hears about it and feels guilty and becomes depressed herself, has trouble working with K and talking about her feelings

+ V reminisces about her past with T, especially before they became more than just friends

+ T stalks V online but fails to prove his suspicions that she cheated on him with K

+ K gets a health scare and fears he has a brain tumor that's causing him debilitating migraines

+ V realizes K needs her and becomes his companion during medical checkups. They find out it's not a malignant brain tumor

+ They both realize they have each other's back no matter what and keeps working hard on their music

+ V explains to T why she hasn't been keeping in touch like she promised

+ T grows more jealous of K and contemplates going back to NY to confront V

+ He sees her during her weekend break from recording and she's surprised by his visit and learns he's been keeping tabs on her with Jamie's help

+ V tries not to get upset by his apparent jealous behavior since he's been dating new girls since they broke up

+ K tries to diffuse the situation by asking T to hang out over dinner with D and they have a serious chat alone

+ K realizes he's feeling guiltier after seeing how distraught T is over V spending more time with him. K assures T that V is only being a good friend

+ T doesn't seem convinced and leaves after getting a text from V. He meets up with her despite knowing she didn't really want to spend time with him

+ V apologizes and asks him to go back to Paris and stay away so he could focus on himself and his health. She cries over their broken relationship and hugs him tight.

+ T obliges, although hurt and disappointed. He leaves New York to seek peace of mind and regain his self-control.

+ V launches the band's new record with K. They keep their bond strong during the heavy touring and promotions.

+ T stalks one of the band's show with Tomek (c23)

+ V feels on top of the world after their new album gets critical success and a boost in sales just after their first tour. She gets the payment ready for her new house. She wishes she could share the good news with T and reminisces to older happier times with T. (flashback after their first month as a couple:  V in Paris with T and their friends / cab scene)

+ T shows up during one of the band's big live shows in a music festival in Texas

+ Fans recognize them and ask for pictures with them - clueless of their past and present relationship woes. T acts like he's alright with pretending in front of fans and paparazzi

+ V realizes pretending to still be in a relationship with him  only hurts her more and she feels confused by it all so she decides to just act friendly and casual

+ Her mom gets wind of their festival appearance  and quick interview and tells her to stop lying about T and stop being weak-willed. V apologizes over the phone while she helps K decide  whether to push through his minor brain surgery to remove the tumor

+ V hears of T being in New York and getting into a driving accident during an island party  with his model friends. She drives for hours to go see him at the hospital and shells out some cash for his meds and hospital bills -- he didn't have cash on him and his credit cards were left in his luggage in a hotel

+ T thanks her and acts embarrassed by the mishap. He promises her he will pay her back twice more to help her pay for her new house. He just wants her around for a while so he wouldn't feel so alone and confused. He tells her he just lost his father.

+ V stays by his side and tries hard to be a good friend while she and K keep working hard to promote the band and their new album

+ T realizes he's still not over V and that he's wrong for believing she cheated on him with K. He leaves for Paris and takes a quick break from modeling to see if he could now study sports medicine

+ V encourages him and tells him to keep in touch. T doesn't call her often  once he's back in France. She worries about him so she asks Jamie to keep an eye on T

+ T goes back to New York to help the band tour around Texas. He tells V he wants her back