Chapter 3

3

Yet in the end, I could not muster the courage.

The moment my hand touched the brass doorknob, I pulled back.

I was terrified that if I exposed him recklessly, Chase would simply tear down the facade.

If that happened, I would walk away with nothing.

He was an untouchable, celebrated movie star.

I was merely an uncredited assistant who used to be his manager.

What leverage did I have to demand answers?

A sharp chime snapped me awake from a restless haze.

Looking down, it was just an automated notification from my cell carrier.

Curled up on the dusty sofa, my eyes burned dry.

Not a single tear would fall.

Remembering that my passport and personal documents were still at our penthouse, I went back the next morning.

The moment I unlocked the front door, the aroma of a hot breakfast hit me.

Seeing me walk in, Chase gave a relaxed smile.

“Go wash your hands. We were just waiting for you.”

Looking at the spread of food on the dining table, my chest loosened slightly.

I was about to talk to him calmly about our breakup when I caught sight of Stella curled up in the corner of the sectional.

Several buttons on her silk blouse were undone, revealing faint red marks on her neck.

When she noticed me, she acted completely unbothered.

She stood up slowly, deliberately brushed her shoulder against mine, and tossed a pair of car keys into my hands.

“The valet called to move the car. Since you are here, go do it right now.”

She clearly had no idea about my real history with Chase and assumed I was just an errand girl she could order around.

“Hurry up. What are you staring at?”

I looked blankly at Chase, but he offered no explanation.

He merely signaled with his eyes for me to obey Stella’s command.

After a pause, I dropped the keys squarely onto the hardwood floor.

I turned to Stella with a cold stare.

“Tell your own assistant to run your errands. I am not your servant.”

Instantly, the air in the living room froze.

Stella’s smug smirk vanished in a heartbeat.

Not wanting to look bad in front of Chase, she let out a pathetic sigh.

“I forgot you are Chase’s assistant. My apologies for being out of line.”

A moment later, Chase’s booming voice cut through the silence.

“Stella is my fiancée. Her business is my business! Why are you making a scene over a simple chore?”