The Invisible Wife-Dump Him for $18.80

Chapter 10

A year later, Breaking Dawn premiered, and within three days, it shattered box office records that had stood for decades. It went on to sweep four major awards, firmly establishing me as a rising star in the director's chair.

At the grand awards ceremony, I made my entrance last, walking in with my cast to deafening cheers and applause. Every step down the red carpet only seemed to escalate the excitement from the crowd. Gabriel Whitmore had once told me I wasn't worthy of the spotlight. Now? Every beam of light was focused on me.

Who would've guessed that a $9.99 divorce settlement would lead to my ultimate triumph?

"Lexa Hawthorne, go to hell!" A scream suddenly cut through the noise.

Before I could react, a figure with a knife lunged toward me.

It was Serena Sterling.

She was fast, too fast. The crowd barely had time to process it. Just as the blade was about to strike, someone leapt in front of me.

Gabriel.

He took the blow to his abdomen, crumpling to the floor in a pool of blood. Serena froze, her face drained of color. "It's all wrong!" she cried. "I was wrong!"

Chaos erupted around us, but through it all, Gabriel looked up at me, blood spilling from his mouth. Despite everything, he managed a soft smile.

"Congratulations, Lexa," he whispered.

I knelt beside him. "Thank you for saving me," I said quietly. "We're even now."

His gaze locked with mine, tears mixing with the rain on his face. After a long pause, he nodded faintly. "Okay."

And then, his body gave out, slumping to the ground. Through his ragged breaths, he kept murmuring, "I'm sorry… I was wrong… I regret everything…"

But regrets don't change the past.

Serena was sentenced to prison for attempted murder. Gabriel survived his injuries but was relegated to working as an extra, his career shattered.

Six months later, I stood on the stage at the Hollywood Directors' Guild Top Honor ceremony, officially becoming the youngest female director ever to win the award.

Afterward, Everett waited for me backstage, his smile a mix of pride and admiration.

"You did it, Lexa," he said, his voice filled with warmth.

"Yeah, I did." I wiped away a tear, then smirked, a little playfully. "But one award isn't enough. I want more."

Everett laughed, that same determined gleam in his eyes. "Then I'll wait. Our great director Lexa Hawthorne has all the time in the world to look back at me."

Together, we turned toward the applause and the flashing lights of the crowd outside.

"See you at the top," I said, my grin wide.

He smiled back, his voice steady. "See you there."

The End.