“You’re getting a surprise tonight, aren’t you? ” my sister-in-law cooed, winking at me. I barely had time to blink before my boyfriend’s brother grabbed my arm. “Relax.
Jordy and I have been a thing. It’s time for you to move on. ”
I stared at him, then at my boyfriend Jordy, who wouldn’t meet my eyes. My sister-in-law was smiling like she’d won a prize.
“Chill? ” I laughed, but it came out sharp. “You’ve been eating my food, using my stuff, riding on my connections to make it in this business—and now you’re sleeping with my man and telling me to chill? ”
I’d built Jordy’s career.
I’d given him everything. And this was how he repaid me. That night, I drowned my anger in a bar. A handsome stranger sat down beside me, and I was too drunk to care who he was.
I remember laughing, flirting, letting him take me to a hotel. I woke up alone with a headache and a note that said, “Last night was a mistake. Bye forever. ”
I thought that was the end of it.
I was wrong. The next morning, my phone exploded. “Miss Palmer, did you really cheat on your boyfriend? You were seen coming out of a hotel with a man.
”
My contract was terminated. Every brand cut ties with me. I owed a penalty I couldn’t pay. My career—the one I’d sacrificed everything for—was over in a single night.
I fled the country, pregnant and alone. Five years later, I came back with my daughter, Cindy. I thought I could rebuild. I thought the past would stay buried.
Then Jordy showed up at my daughter’s school. He saw Cindy’s face and froze. “Haley, I know I messed up before, but now that you’re back, I’ll make it up to you and our daughter. I promise.
”
I stared at him. “She’s not your daughter. ”
“Look at her face. She must be mine.
”
“Oh, please. Her father is much hotter than you. ”
A stranger stepped forward and took Cindy’s hand. “Hello, Cindy.
I’m Daddy. ”
Jordy’s face turned red. “Who the hell is he? ”
“Can’t you see?
He’s her father. ”
I grabbed the stranger’s arm and pulled him toward my car. “Haley, start the car. Let’s go.
”
Once we were driving, I exhaled. “That was close. Thanks so much, sir. ”
“You’re going to thank me, Haley.
”
I looked at him. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t place him. “Have we met before? ”
He smiled.
“You don’t remember me, sir? ”
I studied his face. He was too handsome. If we’d met, I’d remember.
Maybe he was an actor I’d worked with years ago. “Who’s that woman and that kid? ” he asked. “None of your business.
”
“I can drop you. ”
“No, it’s okay. Thanks. ”
Cindy waved.
“Thanks, Daddy! ”
“Quit calling anyone ‘Dad,’” I muttered. But the stranger kept looking at Cindy. “This kid looks like me.
”
Later, I found out he’d ordered a full background check on me. He knew everything: my career, my scandal, my daughter. And he wanted a DNA test. He showed up at my apartment the next day.
“What brings you here? ”
“I live here,” he said. “Are you following me? ”
“Actually, I think I know the reason for your visit.
”
I laughed nervously. “You’re really handsome. You must be an actor. You want to work with me in a film, right?
But I’m no longer in the business. ”
He shook his head. “Haley, listen. I’m okay with your visit.
I really am. It’s just that my daughter really likes you. ”
I hesitated. “Can I ask you something personal?
Are you married? ”
“No. ”
“My daughter has always wanted a father. Kids are sensitive these days.
”
He raised an eyebrow. “Are you suggesting we get married? ”
“No! Not really.
Just a fake marriage. I can pay you monthly. Cindy really likes you. ”
He was quiet for a moment.
Then he said, “Okay. I’ll do it. ”
I blinked. “Really?
”
“Yes. But I have a few questions. What do you do for a living? ”
I didn’t tell him the truth.
I couldn’t. I said, “I’ve been in between things. ”
He nodded. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t accept to do this.
”
“But last time I saw you driving a Lamborghini. ”
“That was my boss’s car. I’m a driver. ”
I believed him.
We got married quietly. We moved into a new place. Cindy was overjoyed. She called him Daddy every chance she got, and he let her.
But then my old rival, Leah, showed up at the hotel where we were staying. She sneered at me. “If it isn’t the lovely Haley, once a big star, but now such a disgrace. I can’t believe you dare to come back.
After paying a penalty of that amount, you can still afford to bring a boy toy here. ”
“If you’re done worrying about me, maybe focus on your own boyfriend. ”
“Jordy’s just being responsible, thinking he’s the father of your little bastard. But for a woman who bed-hops in hotels, who knows who the father could be?
”
I kept my cool. “Looks like anyone could be a celebrity these days. ”
Leah tried to have me kicked out of the hotel, but the manager refused. “Apologies, Miss Scott, but we do not cater to unreasonableness here.
”
Leah was furious. “Do you know who I am? I’m the face of this hotel! ”
“I just got word from my boss.
We are cutting ties with you right now. You’re out of the job. ”
Leah was stunned. She had no idea the hotel belonged to my new husband.
I didn’t know either. I got a chance to audition for a major production called *Desires*. It was my comeback. I studied the script until my eyes burned.
But on the day of the audition, someone locked me in a dressing room. I pounded on the door. “Open up! Let me out now!
”
No one came. I heard Leah’s voice outside. “Save your energy. Just in time for a word of advice.
Watch out who you offend in the future. Now stop dreaming about making a comeback. It’s not going to happen today. ”
I finally got the door open and ran to the audition hall.
The director was about to move on. “Wait! ” I shouted. “Sorry I’m late.
Let’s start. ”
I performed the monologue from memory. When I finished, the room was silent. Then the director said, “Outstanding.
”
Leah’s face went pale. She cornered me afterward. “Haley, how dare you? I’ll tell Jordy, and there will be consequences.
”
“Telling Jordy? Really? Is that all you’ve got? I’m not afraid of you.
”
“If Mr. Griffith hadn’t unexpectedly decided to provide charity for newcomers, you wouldn’t have gotten the chance to audition. That lead role is rightfully mine. ”
I didn’t understand what she meant by “Mr.
Griffith. ” I didn’t know that name yet. I went home to my husband. He was wearing a mask.
“Mr. Griffith, why the mask? Is everything all right? ”
He waved me off.
“Apologies, Miss Palmer. Mr. Griffith is a very private person. ”
I shrugged.
“Take care, Mr. Griffith. I’ll head out. ”
As soon as I left, I heard him behind me.
“Haley, what are you waiting for? Get this door open. ”
I turned. He was stuck in the mask, struggling.
I laughed and helped him out. That night, my agent called. “Haley, I need to talk to you. ”
“What’s wrong?
”
“The production team is aware your acting is better than Leah’s. But Jordy is cast as the male lead, and they think featuring a real-life couple will catch more attention. They’re giving the lead role to Leah. ”
“That’s so unfair.
”
“Fairness is not a common factor in this industry. But they appreciate your talent and hope you’ll consider the role of the second female lead. ”
I accepted. I had no choice.
A few days later, the director called me. “Haley, we’re replacing Leah. You’re the lead actress now. ”
I couldn’t believe it.
“What? Why? ”
“It’s Mr. Griffith’s choice.
He saw your performance and thought you were amazing. ”
I was ecstatic. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. Why was this mysterious Mr.
Griffith always helping me? Then Leah showed up at my house with old photos. “If you don’t want these photos leaked online, meet me at the coffee shop downstairs at noon. ”
I went.
She slid the photos across the table. “So, it was you who posted those photos years ago,” I said quietly. “Just imagine people knew that not only did you sleep with a gigolo, but then you had his baby and married him. What would they say?
”
“What do you want? ”
“Give up the lead in *Desires*. Otherwise, I’ll share them. ”
I stared at her.
“You understand the consequences? ”
She smiled. “Do you? ”
I went to my husband that night.
“Kellen, there’s something I need to discuss with you. ”
He looked at me. “You don’t have to lie to me anymore. I know who you are.
”
I blinked. “What? ”
“She knows,” he muttered to himself. Then, louder: “Since you already know, I’ll admit it.
I’m that gigolo from five years ago, right? ”
I stared at him. “Huh? ”
“I get it.
Your kind isn’t supposed to mix business with pleasure. And becoming a father must have been really difficult for you. Trust me, I know. I was hit with motherhood overnight.
I struggled too. ”
He looked confused. “What are you talking about? ”
“Leah stopped by the office today, stirring up trouble.
She threatened me with some old photos. But don’t worry, I won’t let you or Cindy get hurt. ”
“What does she want? ”
“She wants me to drop the role competition.
But I’m not giving up. ”
He poured himself a drink. “What’s with the heavy drinking? ”
“I really want this role.
I don’t want to give up. ”
The next day, Leah confronted me again. “Haley, did you send those goons after me to snatch the photos? ”
“What?
What are you talking about? ”
“You won’t get the lead role by playing dirty tricks. The role is mine. Back off.
”
I shook my head. “I only told Kellen about those photos. ”
Then I realized. “Could it be him?
”
I confronted my husband. “Kellen, it was you who took those photos, wasn’t it? ”
He didn’t deny it. Instead, he said, “You got this from Leah?
Yes. Thank you, Ken. ”
I was confused. “What?
”
He pulled me close. “I love you. Just do your best. Come home with the best actress award.
You have my word. ”
I let myself believe him. The night before the results, we celebrated. “We got to celebrate this.
Cheers. ”
“I thought the result isn’t available until tomorrow. ”
“Just getting a little head start on the celebration. ”
“Quite sure of yourself, huh?
”
“Without a doubt. And thank you. I wouldn’t have had the courage to audition if it weren’t for you. You’re my lucky charm.
”
He smiled. “It was nothing, really. ”
The next morning, I got the news. “Leah has landed the lead role.
”
“Leah? How did Leah get the lead? ”
“Jordy is cast as the male lead. They think featuring a real-life couple will catch more attention.
”
I was devastated. I accepted the second female lead. But then, a week later, everything changed. The director called.
“Haley, we’re replacing Leah. You’re the lead actress now. ”
I couldn’t believe it. “What?
Why? ”
“It’s Mr. Griffith’s choice. He saw your performance and thought you were amazing.
”
I finally understood. Kellen Griffith. My husband. The man I’d married in a fake ceremony was the CEO of the Griffith Group, the most powerful man in the industry.
I confronted him. “Kellen, are you really Kellen Griffith? ”
He sighed. “Yes.
”
“So you only agreed to marry me because of Cindy? ”
He was quiet. Then he said, “Yes. ”
I felt the ground fall out from under me.
“Liar. You’re nothing but a liar. ”
But before I could process it, everything spiraled. Jennifer Campbell, a woman from Kellen’s past, showed up.
She was beautiful, wealthy, and she wanted Kellen back. “Did you really think he would fall for a small-town actress like you? ” she sneered. “He only married you because of the kid.
Why else would he hide his identity? ”
I looked at Kellen. “Is that true? ”
He didn’t answer.
Jennifer spread rumors about me online. She called me a homewrecker. She said I stole her man. The internet turned on me.
My scenes were cut. My career was over again. And Kellen—my husband—did nothing. He let it happen.
Then I found out the truth. Jennifer had been behind everything. She’d arranged for me to be locked in that dressing room. She’d leaked the photos.
She’d orchestrated the assault at the mall. She’d tried to destroy me from the very beginning. And Kellen had known. He’d been playing along, waiting for the right moment to expose her.
But he’d lied to me. He’d hidden his identity. He’d let me believe he was a nobody. I couldn’t forgive him.
Jennifer kidnapped Cindy. She called Kellen. “I’ll give you a choice. Your daughter or Haley.
Take a pick. ”
Kellen launched an investigation. He found Cindy in an abandoned building. He rescued her.
But Jennifer took me to an abandoned factory. She doused the place in gasoline. “Only one of us is going to make it out alive,” she said. Kellen showed up.
He tried to reason with her. She lit a match. The explosion threw me across the room. I woke up in a hospital bed.
The first thing I asked was, “Where’s Kellen? ”
Jordy was there. He looked pale. “Haley, brace yourself.
”
“Please tell me where he is. ”
“He’s in the next room. ”
I ran to him. He was bandaged, unconscious.
I held his hand. “Please wake up. Please. ”
Days passed.
Then, finally, his eyes opened. “Will you marry me? ” he whispered. I laughed through my tears.
“Yes, you fool. I’ll marry you. ”
We had a real wedding. The officiant asked, “Mr.
Griffith, do you vow to take Miss Palmer as your wife? For better or for worse, till death do you part? ”
“I do. ”
“Miss Palmer, do you vow to take Mr.
Griffith as your husband? For better or for worse, till death do you part? ”
I looked at him. “I do.
”
“You may now kiss the bride. ”
He kissed me. And for the first time in years, I felt like I was home.
