Chapter 4

Sophie found me on the school's running track, where I was practicing my lines.

At first, she just stood there, watching me with a look of pure contempt.

I glanced at her and went back to my script, ignoring her.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore and strode over.

She muttered, "Aren't you curious who I am? Alex talks about you all the time."

"Do you know he's been hiding the fact that he's a superstar from you this whole time? He's completely out of your league.

"A girl like you? You're just a toy for him to play with when he's bored."

She smirked, a provocative glint dancing in her eyes. Her smile was nothing short of an open declaration of war.

I met her gaze, keeping my expression as unreadable as a black lake.

"You seem to be really hoping I'll be shocked and angry," I said softly.

My unnatural calm threw her off completely.

"You... why aren't you mad? Or surprised? This isn't how it's supposed to go..."

She frowned, muttering to herself.

"Why is she so calm? A normal person would have broken down by now. According to the original script, she's still supposed to be in the dark unless..."

Her eyes narrowed, her gaze turning sharp and venomous.

"You knew all along, didn't you? You knew he was going to be a superstar. That's why you're not surprised."

She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a low hiss.

"You're reborn too, aren't you?"

"Reborn?" I repeated.

I subconsciously clutched the fabric of my shirt, my heart suddenly pounding.

I couldn't shake the feeling that the thoughts I was hearing from Alex were tied to whatever 'rebirth' Sophie kept hinting at.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, feigning confusion.

Her answer was to grab a cup of water from a nearby bench and splash it all over herself.

And right on cue, Alex's inner voice rang out.

[She dared to hit Sophie? Was Emma faking that helplessness the whole time?]

[The woman I knew was too scared to even speak up when someone cut in line. But now, she's hitting Sophie behind my back?]

[Just one last test to go! Just one last test. Emma, you'd better not fail me now.]

Just then, Alex himself appeared. Sophie immediately started screaming.

"Emma, what did I ever do to you? Why are you being so cruel to me?"

Alex frowned, his voice dripping with reflexive disapproval.

"Emma, what are you doing? Sophie..."

"Can't you see?" I snapped. "Fine. I'll show you again."

I didn't let him finish.

Smack!

I swung my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

Alex just stood there, frozen, staring at me in utter disbelief.

He looked like he couldn't comprehend what had just happened.

He probably never imagined I would actually lay a hand on him.

To be honest, I had been wanting to cut ties with him for days.

Today, Sophie just gave me the perfect excuse to finally clear the air.

From now on, we would be strangers.

"Sophie told me everything," I said flatly.

Panic flashed in his eyes.

I continued, "You're a superstar. The scripts never stop piling up, you're practically swimming in cash, and you have more luxury mansions than you can count on one hand.

"Alex, I just want to know one thing. When I was pulling all-nighters with you, helping you run lines for an insignificant role, what were you thinking?

"And what about when I moved you out of that cramped dorm so you could finally get a decent sleep? I was skipping meals, living on nothing but plain toast, and wearing the same worn-out clothes for years just so I could save every cent to pay for your apartment.

"Were you laughing at me? Or did you feel even a little bit guilty?"

His breathing grew ragged, and he rushed to defend himself.

"Emma, it's not what you think. I just... I'm just so desperate to be loved.

"You know what my childhood was like. My father was a violent drunk, and my mother was a drug addict. Keeping myself fed and sheltered was a daily struggle, let alone dreaming of something like a parent's love.

"You were the first person who ever made me feel loved. I just wanted that feeling to last forever.

"But I was so scared it wasn't real and that you were only with me because of my status. So I hid who I was to see if you would love the real me, the 'nobody' Alex."

I let out a bitter laugh.

"And did you ever once stop to think about how I would feel? What you would do if I ever found out the truth?

"How were you going to explain all this to me?"

Before he could answer, Sophie cut in.

"You know now, so what's the point of all these hypotheticals?"

She shot him a look, and her expression softened into one of faux sympathy.

"You think you're the one who suffered? Do you have any idea how hard it was for Alex to hide all this from you?

"He turned down so many roles and so many endorsement deals to be your 'normal' boyfriend. If it weren't for you, he'd be an international superstar by now.

"You have a boyfriend like that, and you're still not satisfied?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"If you're so satisfied with him, you can have him."

"Emma!" Alex roared.

He stepped in front of Sophie, shielding her.

"She's just standing up for me. And what she's saying is the truth."

I looked at him with a humorless smile on my face.

"So, just because you're more famous, because you have more status, I should be grateful that you lied to me, as long as you didn't break up with me? Is that it?"

His brows furrowed, and his voice was laced with annoyance.

"Emma, why do you have to be so difficult about this? Can't we just forget it ever happened and start over?

"With my position in the industry, I can make you famous overnight. Isn't that what you want?"

"Fine," I said coolly, not even bothering to look up. My eyes were on the watch on Sophie's wrist. It was a matching set with his.

"You want me to forget all this? Fine. You've been testing me for years. It's only fair that I get to test you once, right?"

He hesitated and asked, "What kind of test?"

"I gave up my education and my future, and I was even willing to go to Mike for you. Do you dare to go on social media right now, announce your retirement, and tell the world that you're with me?"

He froze, his eyes darting away, unable to meet my gaze.

I snorted and didn't spare him another glance.

With determination, I turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, stunned and silent.