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19
You can imagine the kind of torment she must’ve endured in Daniel’s hands.
After all, the depth of his so-called devotion to her was only rivaled by the extent of the damage
he’d done to me.
“Thank you, I understand,” I told the servant calmly. “But that’s between them. It has nothing to do with me.”
“Miss, I truly wish you a peaceful life and a bright future.”
Then the line went dead.
I had just finished showering and was curled up on the bed, studying a performance reel, when my email notification chimed.
It was him again.
Even after I blocked every number he had, Daniel still found a way to get through-this time, through email. He’d been flooding my inbox with endless messages ever since. Apologies. Pleas Confessions of love.
“Ava, I’ve punished Delilah for you. I know I can’t undo the past, but I truly, truly love you. I’ve planned the wedding-everything is ready. I swear you’ll love it.”
“Please come back. I’ll wait for you, Ava.”
His words sounded so devoted, so desperate.
I didn’t respond.
I deleted the message without a second thought.
Wedding? Love?
That man had buried all that with his own hands. I didn’t need it anymore.
Shooting for the new film starts in a month, and I’ve been swamped preparing. Early mornings, late nights-it’s a packed schedule. But I like it that way.
One day, during a break in filming, my assistant came running toward me, tablet in hand, her voice breathless.
“Ms. Monroe! Look-breaking news!”
I took the tablet, confused at first, until I saw the headlines flashing across every major platform. Daniel and Julian were holding a press conference.
They had publicly apologized, clearing my name and debunking every malicious rumor they’d once used to destroy me. Their faces were solemn, their words soaked in regret.
Watching the live stream, I felt nothing.
Just a cold, hollow irony.
“Lyra Quinn is Ava, right? She even changed her name. Can you imagine how much she must hate them?”
“Why now? She spent two years rotting in prison, then got destroyed on a livestream the
moment she got out! Anyone else would’ve had a breakdown!”
“Too late. I support Lyra Quinn cutting ties with all of them. This performative guilt makes me sick.”
The internet was burning with sympathy-for me.
And I?
I released a single line through my agent’s social media:
[Ms. Monroe has no relationship with the Wren family or Mr. Daniel. Please do not disturb.]
That simple, clinical statement hit them like a thunderclap.
It wasn’t until that moment that they realized-
They had truly lost Ava.
The woman who once loved them so deeply… was gone.
The following week was a whirlwind of filming and work. I shut the world out and gave everything to the camera.
Ɔne afternoon, after a long take, the producer stopped by to congratulate us.
‘Celia, you were fantastic today! I wouldn’t be surprised if you take Best Newcomer this year!”
smiled as I removed my makeup in the lounge.
‘Thank you! I’m still learning.”
Truthfully, I’m more confident now than I’ve ever been. That’s thanks to the support around me- especially Director Jake, who’s become not just a mentor, but something of a father figure.
Even off set, we jokingly call each other master and apprentice.
Your mentor’s wife made these for you,” the assistant said, dropping off a box of delicate cakes. She had them delivered specially.”
nside were eight beautifully arranged cupcakes, each one perfect. Just looking at them made ne feel warm inside.
was still smiling when I glanced in the mirror-and saw a man’s reflection behind me.
The smile vanished.
Ava…”
Daniel stood in the doorway.
His eyes met mine-filled with guilt, longing, and something else I didn’t care to name.
And then, without a word, he dropped to his knees.
