Chapter 7%
“Oh, I’m honored, truly” I said, my voice smooth. “It’s not every day you get to work with someone so experienced.”
The audience murmured, sensing the shift in power, Olivia’s smile tightened.“!
“You know, I actually admire you” she said, tilting her head. “It takes real courage to rise from the gutter”
Gasps filled the room. I could hear the cameras clicking. She thought she had me. But she didn’t!
I let the silence stretch, let the tension build–then I chuckled.
“Oh, Olivia,” I sighed, shaking my head. “I wish I had your confidence. To be so secure in your place, knowing- I paused, then gave her a pointed look, “-it was never truly yours to begin with ”
Her expression froze.
A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd.
I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping just enough for her ears alone.
“You can have the past, Olivia” I murmured. “I’m taking the future“}}
Her hands clenched at her sides. I turned to the carneras, flashing them my most dazzling smile. “Thank you for your time, everyone. I’m looking forward to this film
Then, without sparing her another glance, I walked away. Let her bum
The ballroom glittered with opulence–chandeliers casting golden light, polished floors reflecting the elegance of the evening, and conversations flowing like fine wine.
I moved through the crowd with quiet confidence, my presence commanding attention, Eyes trailed after me, some filled with cunosity, others with envy. But I wasn’t here for them. I was here to reclaim my place. Then I saw him. Ethan.
He was standing by the bar, a whiskey glass in hand, laughing at something a businessman said. His posture was relaxed, his demeanor unchanged.
Like he hadn’t destroyed me. Like he hadn’t ripped my world apart. And then his eyes lifted. The glass in his hand stilled; He froze. his body locking up as if he’d seen a ghost.
I smiled. Not a warm, affectionate smile. But the kind of smile that said, I see you. But you? You mean nothing to me now! His lips parted slightly, his knuckles whitening around the glass.
“Claire” he breathed.
I
I tilted my head, pretending not to hear. Then, just as his feet took an involuntary step forward, I turned my back to him and walked. away.
Let him drown in his own confusion.
Then I saw her. Trisha.!
The same woman who had slapped me, humiliated me, and sent me the video of my son calling another woman Mommy.B
Anger curled in my stomach, but I didn’t let it show, Instead, I smiled–a perfectly fake, practiced smile.
She noticed me immediately. Her lips curled into a smirk, but I could see it–the flicker of imitation in her gaze.
She scoffed, flicking her hair over her shoulder as if my presence was beneath her notice. Then, slowly, deliberately, she grabbed a glass of red wine from a passing waiter. I knew what she was about to do. The moment she stepped closer, raising the glass ever so slightly, I moved first.
I caught her wrist, twisting it just enough to make it look accidental–just enough for the wine to spill right back onto her own face.
A stunned silence fell over the ballroom. Trisha gasped, her perfect makeup ruined as the deep red liquid dripped down her face.
I widened my eyes innocently “Dops. Sorry, Trisha.”
She let out a sharp breath, her hands clenching into fists. “You little-%
I tilted my head, feigning concem. “Are you okay? You look… flustered.”
Her nostrils flared, and I saw the moment she lost control.
“Who do you think you are?” she spat, her voice trembling with fury. “You think just because you landed one film, you’re on my level?”
I laughed softly, stepping closer, lowering my voice just enough so only she could hear.
“Your level?” I murmured. “Trisha, sweetheart, I surpassed your level the moment I walked in here and made you nervous
Her face bumed with rage, her jaw clenching.
“You don’t belong here,” she hissed. “You’re still the pathetic little woman Ethan threw away. You’re just a replacement. A cheap imitation.”
I smiled. “And yet, here you are. Pressed. Threatened. Shaking”
She sucked in a sharp breath, looking around as if hoping someone would come to her defense. But the crowd wasn’t on her side.!! They were on mine.”
I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice again!!
“You think you ruined me, Trisha?” I whispered. “You and Olivia and Ethan? You think you won?“%
I saw her swallow, her throat bobbing.
I took a slow step back and smiled. “You should’ve buried me deeper. Because now? I’m coming for everything.”
And with that, I walked away, leaving her to drown in her own humiliation.
The night had become suffocating.
The heavy perfume, the artificial smiles, the murmurs of admiration mixed with envy–it all pressed down on me.!!
I needed air.K
Stepping onto the grand balcony, I let the cool breeze caress my skin. The city lights stretched endlessly before me, a glowing. masterpiece of wealth and power. I took a slow sip of my wine, savoring the sharp, bitter taste as I let myself breathe.
But then, the air shifted. A presence behind me. A shadow moving closer.!!
And then–his voice.
“Claire
I didn’t turn. I simply took another sip, pretending he was nothing more than a gust of wind passing by.
He stepped closer. “I almost didn’t recognize you
Silence.
“I miss you” His voice was soft, almost hesitant. “You look different.”
I swirled the wine in my glass, watching the deep red liquid coat the sides. I should.” I murmured, finally speaking. “The woman you knew is dead,”
He sucked in a sharp breath, as if my words had physically hit him!
“Claire, please..” He exhaled, stepping beside me, resting his hands on the marble railing. “Believe me, I really missed you.
A hollow laugh escaped my lips.!!
“Did you? I mused, finally turning my head to look at him.
For the first time tonight, I allowed myself to truly see him. Ethan Caldwell. The man who had once been my world. The man who had held me as I camed his child.
The man who had lied.
And yet, as I looked at him now, standing there with regret painted across his face, I felt.. nothing.
No longing. No pain!!
Just the cold, bitter truth of what he had done.3
“You left me,” I said, my voice calm. “You let me rot in my own misery while you played house with Olivia
His jaw tensed. “It wasn’t like that?
I arched a brow “No?”
He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration showing. 1 didn’t know things would turn out that way. I thought I was protecting you.” “Protecting me?” I laughed, shaking my head. “That’s an interesting way to describe betrayal.
His eyes darkened. “You don’t understand, Claire
