Chapter 2

That same night, the scandal blew up online.

Hashtags about me trended at number one, with everyone calling me a gold digger, a cheater, and claiming I was about to marry my sugar daddy.

To them, Elliot was the devoted partner who had no choice but to leave after his heart was broken.

The internet was flooded with hate, but I didn't respond to any of it.

Just then, my father called.

I spoke first. "Dad, I'll go through with the arranged marriage."

If love always ended up like this, maybe it was better to just marry someone from a similar background from the start. At least there wouldn't be so much drama.

My father didn't sound as happy as I'd expected. "Are you really sure about this?" he asked.

I replied, "I've made up my mind. I'll wrap up my work, announce my retirement from showbiz, and head back to Halinston to get married."

*****

When I saw Elliot again, it was at the press conference for my new film.

People around me were quick to kick me when I was down, knowing I no longer had any backing. They kept throwing sarcastic remarks my way.

"Margaret, don't tell me you're regretting turning down Mr. Goodman's proposal. You just couldn't stay away once you knew he'd be here, hoping for a second chance?" one of them snorted.

I just listened in silence, not bothering to reply.

I was the lead actress, but whether the investor showed up or not wasn't up to me.

At that moment, Ruth walked over, wearing an elegant, tailored black dress and clinging to Elliot's arm.

She seemed unsettled as she tried to explain, "Maggie, it's not what you think."

Elliot's eyes locked onto mine as he grabbed her hand. "Why bother explaining to those who don't matter? You're my date."

Ruth's embarrassment disappeared instantly. She shot me a cold glance and then smiled, her dimples flashing at me.

She added, "I still want to clear things up, Maggie. The company felt I was a better fit for the lead in this movie—they said I fit the role better than you did. That's why I'm here.

"I wasn't trying to steal your role. The company and Mr. Goodman just thought I was the better choice. Seriously, don't get mad at me."

People couldn't hide how much they were loving my downfall.

Back when I was with Elliot, I was always the center of attention wherever I went.

But now, just one day after our breakup, I lost my role as the female lead in the movie.

It was happening all over again. The moment we broke up, he started pulling all his funding and using his influence to build up another woman's career.

Elliot's eyes chilled as he took in my silence. "Some people just throw away their shot," he said coldly. "But everyone knows whoever I back is going to be a star. Right, Margaret? Still, if you came crawling back, I might consider—"

Before he could finish, I lifted my glass and replied, "Congrats. Looks like you finally found someone who'll stick around and enjoy their shot."

Elliot's expression darkened in a heartbeat. Behind those eyes flickered real pain and anger.

He let out a laugh that was practically a scoff. "Margaret, ruthless as ever."

After the party ended, I stood outside watching snowflakes drift down from the sky. For some reason, memories from my previous life suddenly hit me.

I started dating Elliot when I was nineteen. He proposed at twenty-two, and I said yes and married him.

After we married, his devotion was almost overwhelming. He'd look at me and say, "Everything I have is yours. The world is yours. Just tell me what you want, and I'll make it happen. I promise I'll never let anything hurt you in this life."

People said where a man's treasure was, there his heart was also.

For ten years in this business, he made me a top star. That investment was the clearest proof of his love.

But I loved him just as fiercely. When I was in my prime, I chose to marry him. At the height of my fame, I carried his child.

I kept my vows, faithful to our marriage and to him. But he couldn't settle for just one—he had to have the perfect wife and keep playing the field.

Almost without thinking, my hand found its way to my stomach. Some wounds never fully healed, even with a second chance.

Just the thought of the child I lost was enough to bring back the pain, fresh and overwhelming, until my eyes stung with unshed tears.

I believed his love had been real. But real things could vanish in the blink of an eye, just like that.

Maybe I couldn't forgive him in my previous life. And even now, when he loved me most, forgiveness was still impossible.

Right at that moment, a sleek Lamborghini suddenly rolled up next to me.

I caught a clear glimpse—Elliot was driving, and Ruth was seated primly in the passenger seat.

Elliot said to her, his voice cold and distant, "Wait in the car."

Ruth flashed me a bitter glance, and then clung to the pitiful act and whined, "Don't take too long, Mr. Goodman."

Elliot stepped out of the car and strode straight toward me.

Snow was swirling everywhere, dusting both of our hair. Elliot looked at me with eyes full of tangled emotions, dark and hard to read. "So, your new fiancé treats you better than I ever did? Does he love you like I did?"

I stared right back into his bloodshot eyes, doing my best to stay composed. "That has nothing to do with you."

I flagged down a cab and was about to open the door when Elliot seized my arm and yanked me straight into his embrace, refusing to let me go.

"I can't keep faking it anymore. I showed up with Ruth tonight just to piss you off, but it turns out you're hurting me even more," Elliot choked out, his eyes red and full of wounded pride.

"Why, Maggie? Why did you suddenly leave me like this?" he pressed. "You swore you'd love me forever. What did I do to deserve this?"

I struggled in his grasp, but he wouldn't let go. I forced myself to sound cold. "I've already told you everything you need to know. Why do you keep pushing for answers?"

Elliot looked devastated. "I can't accept this—I refuse to believe you'd just stop loving me. If you're marrying for money, why not choose me?

"I can get you the money. Millions, hundreds of millions—just name the number, and it's yours. All of it..."

Before he could finish, I suddenly slapped him hard—the crack of it rang out in the night.

From a distance, Ruth let out a shocked cry. "Elliot!" She flung the car door open and rushed over. "Margaret, are you crazy? Elliot loves you, and you have the nerve to hit him after you cheated? Seriously, you've gone too far."

Once she'd finished tearing into me, she rushed to check on Elliot. "Elliot, are you okay? Did it hurt?"

I only threw out a cold reply. "We're nothing to each other anymore. Mr. Goodman, don't cling to me again."