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."