Chapter 3

3.

The next morning, I fell terribly ill.

Not only did I have a burning fever, but every bone in my body ached with excruciating pain.

My mind grew foggy. Half-conscious, I dialed my speed-dial contact.

It wasn’t Damian who answered the phone, but Sienna.

“Aubrey? You’re already divorced from Damian, so why are you still calling him?” Her annoyed voice came through the speaker.

Before I could speak, she let out a cold sneer. “You thought he really loved you, didn’t you? After all these years, you still ended up losing to me.”

“Turn on the TV and take a look. Damian’s proposal to me is ten times grander than your entire wedding ever was.”

With that, Sienna hung up.

I gripped the phone tightly, feeling completely numb.

I only agreed to the divorce yesterday, and Damian proposed to her today.

Was he really in such a hurry to marry her?

The grand proposal dominated every social media platform, and even if I tried to avoid it, it was everywhere.

A week later.

Director Lewis, with whom I had worked many times, sent me a new script. I was officially cast as the female lead in the movie “Whispers of Spring.”

Before shooting began, he organized a dinner for the cast and crew.

After a few drinks, Director Lewis smiled at me with genuine warmth. “Aubrey, I know this film will win you the Best Actress award.”

“I’ve seen all your hard work over the years.”

When I first came to this world, besides winning Damian’s heart, my dream was to become an acclaimed actress. In my real life, I had been an uncredited extra.

I had the talent, but zero connections.

After arriving here, Damian’s resources allowed me to play roles I had only ever dreamed of.

On our third wedding anniversary, he offered to buy an award for me, but I turned him down with a laugh.

“A bought trophy won’t mean the same as one I earn myself, will it?”

Hearing that, he had lovingly ruffled my hair, his eyes filled with tender affection. “Aubrey, I just don’t want you to exhaust yourself.”

Memories flooded back, bringing an overwhelming wave of bitterness.

If I was destined to leave this world in agony, I wanted to at least fulfill my dream before I died.

I gave Director Lewis a polite smile. “Thank you, Director. I won’t let you down…”

Before I could finish, the door to the private dining room swung open.

Everyone turned toward the entrance.

Sienna strode in with a sweet, radiant smile, clinging tightly to Damian’s arm. Within moments, they stood before Director Lewis.

Damian glanced at me indifferently.

Director Lewis was startled. “Mr. Mercer, what an honor. What brings you here?”

Before Damian could answer, Sienna chimed in proudly. “Director Lewis, I really love the script for ‘Whispers of Spring.’ I’d like to play the female lead.”

She stated it so casually, as if it was already hers.

In all my years of acting, I had never seen someone snatch a role so brazenly.

Director Lewis offered an awkward smile. “I’m afraid that won’t work. I’ve already signed Miss Aubrey…”

“Then replace her.”

Damian cut him off coldly before looking straight at me.

“I’ll get you another script. Give this one to Sienna.”

My heart felt as if an invisible hand had gripped it and crushed it into dust.

My eyes burned with tears, but I held them back with everything I had.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Mercer. I won’t give it up.”

I rejected him flatly.

A strange, unreadable shadow crossed Damian’s eyes.

Before he could speak, Sienna tugged at his sleeve with a pout.

“Damian, I really want this role! Make Aubrey give it to me!”

Damian looked down at her, a gentle smile returning to his lips. “Alright.”

He then turned to me, his tone laced with a clear threat. “Are you sure you won’t step aside?”

I lifted my chin and gave him a calm smile. “No. This belongs to me.”

“Then starting right now, you are blacklisted from the entire industry.”