Chapter 4
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Kaia’s POV
I couldn’t take it anymore. I ran to the break room and locked myself inside.
Curled up in the corner, I hugged my knees to my chest and started pounding my forehead, like maybe I could knock the memories of Brian out of my skull for good.
That’s when I heard someone laugh.
I looked up, and Addison was standing in the doorway, arms crossed and smug as hell.
“Kaia, I didn’t think you’d still be this pathetic even after losing your memory,” she said, smiling like she was enjoying every second. “Guess you really did love my brother. Too bad, though. That door’s closed. Oh, and I’m not actually sick. Brian’s just dramatic. He believed me without even asking questions.”
A fresh wave of pain tore through my chest. The ache grew sharper the more I thought
about it.
I dug my nails into my skin, clawing at my chest until it hurt so bad I couldn’t breathe. Blood started to drip down my hands.
Maybe the drug was kicking in now, because the pain began to dull.
Completely unbothered, Addison dabbed the corner of her mouth with a tissue and smiled like nothing had happened.
The door burst open.
Brian walked in.
His eyes went straight to the blood on Addison’s lips. He didn’t even glance at me or notice my injuries.
Brian’s face twisted.
“Kaia, what the hell did you do to Addison?” he snapped.
Addison covered her face and started sobbing quietly. “Brian, I just asked her to help with filming, since she was slacking off, but she…”
Before she could finish, Brian stormed over and slapped me hard.
I hit the floor with a thud, my ears ringing.
His glare was cold enough to kill. “Kaia, stay in your lane. Who do you think you are, putting your hands on Addison?”
I was still reeling, trying to get my bearings, when he grabbed me by the arm and yanked me up. Then he dragged me over to serve Addison like I was a damn servant. Tea, water, whatever she wanted.
Out of nowhere, Addison dumped boiling water right into my hand.
The pain was immediate and brutal. I gasped, trying not to scream, as blood blisters started rising across my skin.
00:17 Thu, 29 May
Brian watched. Didn’t even flinch. He just stood there, ice–cold.
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“She’s sick,” he mumbled, like that explained everything. “You should try being more. understanding.”
I finally found my voice. It was shaky, but I didn’t care.
“Brian… do you really believe she’s sick?”
His expression turned dark in an instant. “Kaia, don’t be cruel. Don’t you dare question Addison. You’re the one who always fakes being sick.”
My chest clenched hard.
I remembered when I was sick, curled up in bed, and begging him to come. However, he went to Addison first.
By the time he showed up, I’d already recovered.
But I was the liar?
Maybe what I said hit a nerve, because he looked even angrier. He grabbed me by the wrist -by the same hand she’d just burned–and dragged me out onto the show’s set.
They had a boyfriend skill segment for ratings. It was basically a ridiculous challenge in which the men had to prove they could protect their partners.
This one involved a crocodile.
Yeah. A literal crocodile.
I wanted no part of it. The whole thing screamed bad idea, but Addison insisted I help film.
I kept my distance from the animal, giving it a wide berth. It was tied up, but still, it was a
crocodile.
Then Addison suddenly tripped and fell toward it. The thing opened its jaws, ready to snap.
Brian shoved me.
I didn’t even have time to think. The crocodile lunged and clamped down on my arm, dragging me toward the water.
The pain was unreal, like someone had stabbed me straight through the heart and kept twisting the knife.
Once upon a time, Brian would’ve stood between me and the danger. Back then, he would’ve taken the hit without hesitation.
Now? He was the one who threw me in.
When he saw what had happened, his look shifted. Panic. Regret.
He grabbed my uninjured hand, trying to pull me back.
“Kaia, don’t be scared. I’ve got you. I’ll save you.”
But then Addison whimpered behind him. “Brian… my stomach hurts…”
He looked torn for half a second. Then he let go.
His eyes were sorry, but his body was already moving away from me.
00:17 Thu, 29 May
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“I’m sorry,” Brian whispered as he scooped Addison up and rushed off.
That was it–his promise to save me turned into a ‘sorry.’
I watched his back as he disappeared. It reminded me of that night he took a bottle to the arm, protecting me from a drunk guy. He’d passed out from blood loss after making sure I wasn’t hurt, even checked every inch of me just to be sure.
And now?
He’d changed.
He’d left me to be torn apart by a crocodile.
Luckily, the crocodile was trained. It let go after that one bite. The crew rushed in and pulled me out while blood was pouring from my arm. Someone called for a medic.
They were about to get me to a hospital when Addison stepped in front of them.
Her eyes looked watery, but her tone was as fake–sweet as ever.
“Brian,” Addison said, like she was making a noble request, “I just want to finish filming this show. I don’t have much time left. Can you let the assistant keep filming me? Her wound just needs some basic first aid, right?”
00:17 Thu, 29 May
