Chapter 14
Claire’s eyes burned with hatred. “She’s the cheap one! Always competing with me! You said you were always mine!”
“Remember how much you loved me? Whatever roles she wanted, you gave to me! Whatever designer bags she liked, you got them for me instead! At every gala, my dress had to outshine hers!”
“Those were your gifts of love! I divorced James for you–what are you doing now?”
“Can’t you see I’m the one who loves you, not her?”
I watched her confession emotionlessly, seeing how pathetic she’d become. Like mother, like daughter–her mother had done the same, refusing to accept my father’s new marriage, using pregnancy
to create chaos.
Claire had grown up just as twisted, obsessed with taking everything from me.
But I didn’t need any of it anymore.
Alexander wasn’t irreplaceable.
Ryan stepped in: “This is neither the time nor place for personal matters. Let’s not overshadow the film’s
launch.”
Alexander’s eyes turned glacial. “Who are you to interfere? Evelyn is my wife. This doesn’t concern you.”
He turned back to me: “Evelyn, you haven’t fallen for someone else, have you? You promised you’d never
fall for a co–star!”
“I know you’re angry about Claire getting your screenplay. I swear I thought it was just another script on your computer. I had no idea you wrote it!”
“I swear I only love you. These past six months, I’ve been sleepless without you!”
The months apart had fortified my resolve. His declarations of love fell flat.
“Alexander, our marriage started with ulterior motives. Let’s cut our losses.”
“This isn’t playing hard to get. I simply don’t love you anymore.”
He shook his head in anguish, dropping to one knee with my wedding ring–the one I’d left behind.
“Then let’s marry again. Start fresh.”
35.5%
Chapter 14
“Evelyn, I can’t live without you. I was blind before, thinking I loved Claire.”
“When I thought you died, I realized how much I loved you. I wanted to die too.”
“I meant it–if you had died, I wouldn’t have lived without you!”
Claire erupted in maniacal laughter, her face contorted with jealousy and madness.
She pulled out a glass bottle, screaming “Then die together!”
In the split second as she threw the acid, Alexander lunged toward me without hesitation.
Ryan, closest to me, pulled me behind him, shielding me with his body.
The acid splashed across Alexander’s back, neck, and face.
The sizzling sound was immediate. His skin began smoking, blistering
Alexander collapsed before me, still curled protectively. Through gritted teeth, he managed: “Take me… don’t hurt her…”
Security tackled Claire, pinning her down as she screamed: “Die, Evelyn! Why won’t you just die!”
“Evelyn, are you hurt?” Ryan checked me frantically.
“I’m fine.”
In the chaos, medics rushed in to treat Alexander.
As security escorted me out, I took one final look at Alexander’s contorted face.
His gaze followed me, dimming as I walked away.
