Chapter 2

2

Jade stared at the ring, frozen in place.

She didn't try to stop me as I grabbed my suitcase and walked out the door.

I hailed a cab and headed straight to my small villa in the suburbs.

Jade had bought it on a whim after she got her first massive paycheck.

She told me it would be our forever home.

The deed was in my name.

When we first graduated, Jade had no connections and no roles.

She was an extra, barely making enough to eat.

We lived in a cramped, seven-hundred-square-foot studio in a sketchy neighborhood.

The best thing we ate back then was instant ramen shared between two people.

To get Jade an audition, I ran myself ragged.

I drank until my stomach bled at networking dinners, nearly ending up in the ICU.

That was how I landed her a supporting role with actual lines.

As she grew more famous, her star began to rise.

She went from a background character to a superstar with a multi-million dollar paycheck.

I was there for every struggle.

A few years ago, a major studio wanted her for a lead role in a period drama.

She accepted, but she had one condition.

The male lead had to be Xavier Ford.

A role that veteran actors were fighting for was handed to a complete rookie.

I thought Jade was just being kind to someone who came from a poor background like her.

Then came the wrap party.

I overheard her talking to Xavier outside the dressing room.

"Jade, do you have a boyfriend? You never do PR romances. Is the man at home the jealous type?"

"Where did you hear that? I don't have anyone. I just don't like that kind of marketing," Jade lied easily.

She denied our entire existence.

It hurt, but I told myself it was for her career.

She always said she didn't want the spotlight to ruin my private life.

"Oh... then what about that guy who's always on set bringing you tea? Is he just your assistant?" Xavier pressed.

"Silas Montgomery? He's just an assistant. He's been with me a long time."

"Why would I date a civilian? If I were to fall for someone, it would have to be someone like you..."

Hearing that, my blood boiled.

I almost pushed the door open to confront her.