Chapter 2

Julian blurted out in panic, his hand still reaching for me.

I had always been an old-school producer. Even in this digital age, I insisted on shooting critical scenes on real 35mm film.

To win my favor, Julian spent hundreds of thousands tracking down rare, vintage reels, claiming they were the physical tokens of our love.

He once promised that the most precious reel would be saved exclusively to film our wedding day.

Now I knew the truth. He hadn't saved it. He had already wasted it on Bella.

"And all those late nights we spent rewriting the script together? Take it all back!"

Bella yanked a thick stack of annotated drafts from her tote and tore them violently to shreds.

[OMG so juicy! She's forcing him to choose right here!]

"Bella, stop it..."

In the end, Julian let go of my hand.

Bella’s eyes were bloodshot as she paused. "Does your heart ache now? Are you finally admitting it?"

Julian scooped up the vintage film canister from the floor and quickly turned back toward me.

"If you want to throw a fit, do it outside. Don't ruin Chloe’s award night."

Bella reached back and unzipped her dress completely down the side.

"If you don't want me, I'll go find a new executive producer right now."

"Let's show the whole industry what I sacrificed for your masterpiece."

"Are you insane?!" Julian whipped off his suit jacket, wrapping it tightly around her bare shoulders.

Bella used the opening to throw her arms around his neck, pressing her body flush against his.

Julian stood there, letting her cling to him, making no move to push her away.

[Yesss, who could resist a wild, sexy girl like Bella? The director was hooked from day one.]

[Can't blame him. Chloe is like a corporate robot. Zero bedroom charm.]

[Wait, isn't he mad she ruined the red carpet?]

[No way! Alpha directors love this crazy possessive stuff. It's foreplay to him.]

[Nothing will be ruined. Chloe cares too much about PR. She'll clean up their mess and write another check.]

[Total ATM doormat confirmed.]

A single tear spilled over my lashes.

I met Bella’s eyes over Julian's shoulder. She flashed me a cold, triumphant smirk.

She won.

She didn't just steal Julian. Every piece of my proud career was tainted with her fingerprints.

Julian quickly ushered Bella out through the side exit, leaving the backstage area in absolute chaos.

I sat in the empty dressing room alone.

[Look at Chloe's dead-inside face. No wonder he strayed. Kissing her must feel like corporate overtime.]

[Fast forward! I wanna see Julian pinning Bella against the wall!]

I wiped my face dry. The floating text didn't sting anymore; it just left me numb.

To them, Bella was wild, passionate, and irresistible, while I was stiff and boring.

Others didn't know the truth, but did Julian forget?

Three years ago, on an exterior shoot deep in the mountains, a sudden flash flood hit.

I carried him on my back, dragging both of us through mudslides for an entire night until rescue teams found us.

My knees were permanently ruined from that night, aching whenever the weather turned damp.

Julian had knelt by my hospital bed back then, swearing on his life that he would spend forever taking care of me.

I never imagined his forever would expire the second he tasted Bella's cheap drama.

I told myself: this man was officially dead to me.

I ignored every call and text from the Drake family. I sent a single text to my parents stating our engagement was over.

They gave me their unconditional support, as they always did.

When I walked into our shared production office, it was deserted.

I began packing my files into boxes when sudden laughter echoed outside.

"Julian, aren't you going to smooth things over with Producer Vance?"

Julian had his arm draped around Bella, flanked by a rowdy group of indie crew guys.

"Let her cool off for a few days. She needs to drop that spoiled heiress attitude."

"Tonight's wrap party is still on!"