Her secret was out now. Everyone in the house knew and there was no doubt, the cameras had also picked up their spat, which would most likely be airing on the next episode as well as streaming live online. Everyone in America knew that she had cheated on Jessie and this was how he was going to find out. He was not going to get the privacy or the complete explanation of why she did it. Instead, he was going to get the media treatment, where everything was twisted and speculated. He would not know what was real and what was created for a more dramatic story. It was not fair to him, but she had no one to blame but herself.
Confession
Jessie did not know why he was even bothering to watch anymore or why he was putting himself through this pain. The last few days had been devastating for him. He did not go to work, calling out sick. He avoided talking to anyone, with the only calls he took were from his family and Gwen's. They were mortified at what he had told them and what they had seen. It was not like her to behave like this.
Jessie stared at the computer screen; his appearance was disheveled and he looked as sick as he felt. He did not care at this point; he just wanted answers.
"Is it true? Did you sleep with him?" Zoey asked, lounging on her bed across from Gwen.
"Yes," Gwen responded, looking down in shame at her bed sheets.
The confirmation was like a knife to Jessie's heart. A small part of him hoped that it was all a nightmare and that he had not seen Gwen and Tyler enjoying each other's bodies. Now that his fear was a reality, his stomach lurched and his heart ached. Why? What had he done to deserve this? Was loving her not enough?
"How many times did you sleep with him?"
"Twice," Gwen confessed, her gaze not moving from her blue comforter.
The pain washed over him anew. He knew of the time in her room a few nights ago, but he had not been sure if they slept together in The Suite. Jessie recalled how happy Tyler was returning to the house. He was sure that Tyler would move on after he had Gwen, but it seemed that Tyler was not done playing with her and wanted to satisfy his appetite even more.
This had been Jessie's greatest fear with Gwen leaving for the game. He knew Gwen was a great woman. She as loving, kind, carrying, funny, and sweet, but her downside was her impulsive behavior. She liked doing things just because and even though Jessie would beg her to see reason, she would not once her mind was set. This must have been another one of her stupid decisions. If she had given it a moment of thought, she might not have done it.
Either way, she had made her own bed with this one and she had to deal with the consequences. Jessie was not going to let her blame him because he knew he had done nothing wrong. How could he when he was not on the show, the show she signed up for? He did not know exactly what he would do when she came back. He still loved her. He had hoped to marry her after the show. Now how could he?
Just watching Gwen sitting there was breaking his heart. She looked ashamed, but that was probably because she was caught. If Quinn had not said something, was she just going to come home and act as if nothing had happened? He could not bear to look at her or think of what she would have done.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Zoey asked after some time.
"Because Jessie would have found out. I was going to tell him in private, after the show." Jessie looked up at the screen, as Gwen spoke. "I made a stupid mistake, but he needed to hear it from me. Not like this."
"How was it?"
"ZOEY!"
"Sorry, sorry," she said, waving off the question. "So what are you going to do now? I take it Jessie knows."
Gwen flopped back onto her bed and stared up at the ceiling.
"I guess all I can say is I'm sorry for now. I never intended to hurt him. I made a mistake and I at least want to explain myself after all this is said and done."
Jessie wanted to be mad, but he could not. She seemed genuine. Gwen was not the type of person to do something out of spite. Maybe she did intend to keep this all private to protect him. Jessie knew how insistent Tyler was and how he had probably pressured Gwen for weeks. She had probably said no a thousand times before caving to him in The Suite. The second time was after Hattie had been evicted. He could have blackmailed her or played off her emotional state to get her to sleep with him that time. He was the type of guy who would do something that manipulative.
Maybe there was a chance, even a small one, of them reconciling. Maybe they could work this all out after the show and talk about how to fix it all. Jessie was so madly in love with Gwen that he was willing to hear her side of the story at least. If she showed that she was sorry and did not sleep with him anymore, then he could possibly forgive. There would be no guarantees, but he would try.
The Breakup
Connor had been sulking around the house for the last two hours, replaying every moment of the events in his mind. He was still in shock. How could Gwen, the perfect girlfriend, the picture of resilience, cheat on Jessie? And with Tyler? From what Gwen had told him, Jessie was the ideal boyfriend. He was loyal, loving, trustworthy, and romantic. Tyler was a complete asshole. He flirted with every girl in the house, was narcissistic, and was America's favorite, which in any show, was never a good thing. America always likes a villain. What did she see in Tyler that was willing to make her throw away her life with Jessie? She was doing it on national television, too. Connor could only imagine what that felt like, having to watch the person you love most throw themselves at another person and being powerless to save your relationship.
Connor stopped dead in his tracks in the library. His stomach turned and he was overcome with guilt. Connor had cheated on his girlfriend with Patricia, in front of the cameras. Veronica had most likely seen everything. He was no better than Gwen was. Hell, he was worse. At least Gwen had to decency to cheat in The Suite and not talk about it. If Quinn had not eavesdropped, no one would have ever known.
It was so easy to forget the world outside of the house and Connor had forgotten Veronica. He was ashamed of himself. He loved her and had told her so right before he left for the show. She had kissed him goodbye as he left the green room and he had held her close up until he left. Now, he could not even remember her face or the feel of her lips. All he could see was Patricia. Her emerald green eyes sparkling against her tan skin. Her highlighted hair curving around her body. She had invaded his thoughts completely and had set up permanent residence.
He sat at the table and buried his face in his hands. It was not fair to string Veronica along, especially when it would be weeks before he would be home. It was clear that he had physically moved on with Patricia; now his mind was catching up.
Connor let out a deep sigh before dropping his hands. He knew what he had to do. He faced the camera that was behind the built in desk of the bookcase.
"Veronica. I don't know how much of the show you have watched or what you have seen, but I need to come clean. I've been sleeping with one of my cast mates, Patricia. I thought it was just a stupid fling, but I realize it is something stronger." Connor was getting emotional and he had to pause to keep himself from coming undone.
"That being said, when I leave the house, I won't be coming back to you. I'm in love with Patricia and if she'll have me, I intend to move on with my life with her as my girlfriend. I know this isn't the best way to do this, but I need to do this now, so we can both move on with our lives." He had hoped to do this another way, but there was no stopping what had happened. The only thing he could do was set things right and let Veronica go.
"I'm sorry for hurting you, but I'm not going to lie to myself or you any longer. I wish you the best."
Connor did not linger in the library because if he did, he would breakdown. Instead, he walked upstairs with purpose: to find the woman he loved.
"Can you believe that? I would never have guessed Gwen would cheat on Jessie," said Patricia when Connor walked in. She was pulling back the covers of the bed they had been sharing for the last few weeks. She looked stunning in her dark red babydoll. He loved that she always dressed sexy to bed.
Patricia stared at him, waiting for him to respond.
"I don't want to talk about them," Connor finally said, moving across the room. "I want to talk about us."
"What about us?" she asked nervously. Connor took her hand in reassurance.
"I was just in the library and I decided I want to leave Veronica. I want to leave her for you."
"Really?" Her eyes lit up causing Connor to smile.
"Yes because I'm in love with you."
"Oh my God. I love you, too."
