To "fix" Leonard Rinehart's oh-so-tragic depression, Naomi Gaffron—yeah, the same girl who once swore she'd only ever marry me—secretly tied the knot with him.

So I gave in. Played along with the family's little matchmaking stunt. Married Aurelia Spencer—Brieton City's golden girl who'd been obsessed with me since forever.

For seven years, she clung to me like I was oxygen. Every night, curled up like she'd break if I moved.

I thought that was happiness.

Then one night, I caught her whispering to her best friend:

"Leonard's already got international awards. When are you dumping Leone?"

"Whatever—I'm stuck with someone I don't love anyway. Doesn't matter who I married. Someone's gotta keep an eye on Leone so he doesn't screw up everything Leonard built."

I checked her study. Found a hidden folder—over 100,000 photos of Leonard. A hundred unsent love letters.

Even I couldn't fake it anymore.

Bought a silicone dummy. Laid out the plan. The fire would be step one.

Dead or alive—we're done.

After placing the final order for the setup, I shut the laptop.

Three more days. Then I disappear from Aurelia's world for good.

I turned—and ran straight into her smile.

She'd waited outside till the perfume wore off, only stepping in after the chill left her skin. Then, slowly, she wrapped her arms around me from behind.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Her warmth should've been comforting. Instead, it burned.

Seven years married. Everyone thought she adored me.

In Brieton's high society, Aurelia Spencer was the poster wife—loyal, perfect, doting. I said jump, she leapt. Whatever I wanted, she handed over with a smile.

She swore it was love at first sight. Said she'd crushed on me for fourteen years.

On our wedding day, she cried through her vows. Told me marrying me felt like a dream.

She knew everything—my past, my scars. Used her family's pull to go head-to-head with Naomi, the ex who bailed on me. Messed with Leonard's career just to back me up, swearing she hated anyone who'd ever hurt me.

She played it so well, even I—supposedly the pro—couldn't see through it.

I remembered it like a punch to the gut—

Whenever things got intense, she'd whisper 'Leo.'

'Leo, Leo.' I used to think she meant me.

But now? Pretty sure it was Leonard all along.

I dropped my gaze, brushing away a tear with my fingertip.

She didn't notice. Just kept talking. "Your brother won that award. There's a party tomorrow, but stay home with me. I don't want you getting upset seeing him."

I didn't even flinch. Just counted. That made a hundred times she pulled this same move.

I used to think she was just clingy. I let it slide—I even backed out of the spotlight when my career was on fire.

Now I know. She was just clearing the runway for Leonard.

"I've got a meeting with Issac tomorrow," I said. "He wants me in his next film. I'm going."

She didn't miss a beat. "It's fine, just skip it. I'll cover for you. Babe, even if you never work again, I've got us."

But fame and money? Never my thing.

I'd once told her landing a role with Issac McCarey—on my own name—was the dream.

She promised she'd help me get there.

She didn't forget. She just knew Leonard wanted it too. So my dream? Thrown under the bus to make his happen.

When I didn't answer, she leaned in, sweet voice like bait. "Let's not fight, okay? There'll be more parties. What we have is what really matters, right?

"The day after tomorrow is our seven-year anniversary. I've got a surprise you'll never forget."

I faked a smile. "Cool. I've got something for you too."

Aurelia, we didn't even make it to year seven.

You're on your own now.

Here's what you always wanted—freedom.

In the dead of night, once Aurelia knocked out in my arms, I slid out of bed and headed to the study.

Hearing her admit she never loved me—then finding that stash of letters and pics—should've crushed whatever hope I had left.

But seven years with her wasn't all fake. We had real moments. Sweet ones. I couldn't just erase that.

I stopped in front of the little safe by her desk.

It felt like some cursed treasure chest—off-limits and dangerous.

Back when we'd sneak kisses in here, I used to ask what she kept inside. She'd never say. Just told me to guess.

I tried every code I could think of. My birthday. Hers. Our anniversary. Nothing.

Now, hands shaking, I punched in Leonard's birthday—praying I was wrong.

Click.

The safe opened.

My stomach dropped.

Inside were two rings. The bands? Engraved: Aurelia & Leonard.

Old-school design, but they were spotless—like someone still took care of them.

Every bit of strength bled out of me. My chest felt hollowed out.

I couldn't lie to myself anymore.

She never loved me. Not even a little.

***

The next day, for the first time ever, I ignored Aurelia and showed up at the party.

She gave me a look, but didn't stop me.

Just said, "Fine, go. But you're too handsome—stay close, okay? If your brother pulls anything, I've got you."

Acting like the doting wife.

But I knew better—she didn't want me off her leash, stealing Leonard's thunder.

That was never the plan.

I was leaving for good. Just wanted to say goodbye to the people who had my back—directors, screenwriters, all of them.

The second I walked in, all eyes bounced between me and Leonard.

"Issac McCarey's next lead has to be Leone Rinehart. He's got Aurelia backing him and the dude can actually act."

Leonard stormed over. "Why would you say that? That role's mine!"

People rolled their eyes.

"Seriously? Leone's got way more experience. Don't be so full of yourself."

"Yeah, you're the son-in-law of the Gaffron family, but Leone's with a Spencer. We all know who's got the pull."

"You've only won one newcomer award. Chill."

Leonard nearly snapped. "You'll see! I'll shut all of you up!"

Then he turned on me. "Enjoy it while you can. You're gonna crash and burn. Pathetic."

He shoved me.

I stumbled, knee cracking against the table. It hurt so bad, a tear slipped out before I could stop it.

Aurelia—who swore she'd protect me—stood there like it wasn't her problem. Letting him do whatever he wanted.

I dropped my gaze, trying to block out the ache spreading through me.

Then the lights in the banquet hall cut out.

Spotlights flared. Time to announce the new lead.

"Let's hear it for—Leonard Rinehart!

"And huge shoutout to gold-tier screenwriter Leah Pence. Her films have grossed over 1 billion, and she waived her fee and dropped 30 million of her own money to cast Leonard. He's her only male lead. Her muse!"

Leonard strutted onstage, grabbed the mic, and smirked down at me.

"Leone, after all these years, you're still no match for me. LOSER!"

Leonard stood in the spotlight, soaking up the praise. He had it all.

I looked at Aurelia.

She was holding my hand, but her eyes? Lit up—for him.

My heart dropped. I let out a quiet, bitter laugh.

Just yesterday, I'd stumbled across Leah Pence's script in our study.

Right there on the cover—

[For my one and only male lead, Leonard Rinehart.]

Leah Pence was Aurelia Spencer.

Leonard was the love she never had the guts to say out loud.

I'd suspected it for a while, but seeing it in black and white still hit like a punch to the chest.

Issac came over, voice low. "It's alright. You'll always have a spot as my lead."

I gave him a bitter smile. "Thanks. But maybe... this was my last shot."

***

Aurelia snuggled into my arms, all fake innocence. "I'll fund a few films for you too, just for fun, okay?

"I planned a surprise tonight by the river. Isn't my love worth more than some lead role?"

I forced a smile. Words that used to feel sweet now tasted like expired candy.

Still, I played along. "Okay."

After thanking Issac and the crew who'd backed me, I tried to dip out early.

Aurelia waved off the driver—said she'd take me herself.

Right as the engine started, her phone buzzed. I glanced—Leonard's name lit up the screen.

Her face shifted. She hesitated, then turned to me. "Babe, something urgent came up at work. Can you go to the riverside alone?"

I paused, then smiled. "It's fine. Go."

She kissed me and headed back inside.

I started the car—but I didn't go to the river.

I went home.

Tonight was it. Time to prepare everything for the fake death.

I collected every trace of us—photos, files, even cloud backups. Wiped it all clean.

The keepsakes? I was gonna burn them.

Then my phone lit up.

Anonymous message.

First image: Aurelia, clearly drunk, curled up next to Leonard.

[She's got stomach issues but still drank for me. You don't blame me, right?]

[She pretended to fight my in-laws, acted like she stole their resources—gave it all back to me in secret. Know why?]

[She's been my shadow since we were kids. Always loved me. Marrying you? Just a front. She was watching you for me.]

[You really thought someone could love you for no reason?]

[She said the only way she got through the nights was pretending you were me.]

The messages kept flooding in.

But I felt nothing.

I just moved quicker.

Dragged the dummy to the bedroom, soaked the place in gasoline—wanted it all to burn clean.

Then I forwarded every filthy text Leonard sent to the grimiest tabloid I knew.

Snapped my SIM in half and tossed it into the bushes.

Hit the ignition switch and walked off, eyes on the horizon.

It was pitch black ahead.

But that was fine. Morning always comes.

***

Aurelia was still clueless.

She glanced at Leonard, annoyed without realizing it. "Why call me back? Tomorrow's my anniversary with Leone. He'll start asking questions."

Leonard's eyes flared. "So it's my fault now?"

Her stomach dropped. "No—I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry."

He folded his arms, clearly not buying it.

Her phone buzzed. Dominic, the butler.

She scowled and hit decline.

It rang again. And again. Over ten times.

Her gut twisted.

She finally picked up. "What?"

"Mrs. Rinehart... it's awful... Mr. Rinehart—he set the house on fire. He's gone. We tried everything, but... it's too late."