Chapter 2

2

Chase stood frozen, clutching the ring.

He watched me wheel my luggage out the front door, not uttering a single word to stop me.

I hailed a cab at the curb and headed straight to my suburban villa.

Chase had bought that property on an impulse after landing his very first eight-figure paycheck.

He claimed it would be our future marital home.

The deed was registered solely under my name.

Back when we first graduated, Chase had zero connections and no clout.

He could only get minor background roles that barely paid enough to keep the lights on.

During our poorest days, we crammed into a tiny shoebox studio.

Our most luxurious meal was stale bread dipped in leftover instant ramen broth.

To win opportunities for Chase, I ran myself ragged pitching to directors.

I drank until my stomach bled and nearly died in the ER.

All to secure him a slightly better supporting role.

As his star began to rise, his fanbase exploded.

He took home Best Newcomer for a low-budget indie series.

He went from a background extra to an A-list star commanding millions per film.

I bore witness to every single hardship he endured.

A few years ago, a massive fantasy novel was being adapted into a TV series.

The director wanted Chase as the male lead, but Chase made a strict demand.

The female lead had to go to Stella Scott.

A role that seasoned actresses would kill for fell effortlessly into the lap of a total newcomer.

Back then, I thought Chase just felt sympathy for a rookie from a modest background.

Until the wrap party.

I overheard their conversation outside the dressing room.

“Chase, do you secretly have a girlfriend? You never do PR romance stunts with co-stars. Are you afraid the girl at home will get jealous?”

“Where did you hear that nonsense? I just do not need cheap marketing.”

Chase flatly denied my existence.

Though his words stung, I told myself it made sense.

He had always claimed going public too early would ruin my private life.

“Oh... so that girl who always brings you coffee on set isn’t your girlfriend?”

Stella feigned innocent curiosity, probing deeper.

“You mean Winnie? She is just an assistant who has worked for me for a while.”

“Why would I ever date an ordinary girl? If I date someone, she has to be on your level.”

Hearing that, fury flared in my chest.

I was ready to barge in and confront him right then and there.