The Invisible Wife-Dump Him for $18.80

Chapter 9

Three months later, I finished my script and directed my first-ever movie.

Thanks to Dominic Fletcher and Marissa Caldwell, I managed to secure two of Hollywood's hottest stars, Everett Cole and Evelyn Morgan, as my leads.

I poured my heart and soul into the project, overseeing every detail. I even joined the actors during rehearsals to help them nail their performances.

During a particularly intense rain scene, Everett was struggling to hit the right emotional notes. Frustrated, I decided to step in.

"In this downpour," I said, looking him dead in the eyes, "look at me like your heart is shattering, like you're losing the love you can never have." I could see him starting to focus. "You're holding back tears, but as the rain comes down harder and she starts slipping away, you can't keep it in anymore. You run after her, pull her back."

I lowered my voice, almost a whisper. "Then, you bend down, and with all the pain in your heart, you say…"

I locked eyes with him, my voice barely audible. "Can't you even look at me?"

Everett's eyes met mine, and something shifted. The pain I described was suddenly there, raw and intense. I felt a jolt in my chest at how real it looked. His red-rimmed eyes were locked on mine as he leaned in, his lips trembling slightly, closing the distance between us.

I didn't stop him. Instead, I gave Evelyn a quick nod. This was her chance to learn. She needed to be ready.

She nodded back, preparing herself for the scene.

But just as we were about to dive into it, a voice cut through the tension.

"Lexa! What the hell are you doing?!"

The entire set went silent.

Everett froze, and the moment was shattered. I turned, fuming, to see who had dared to interrupt.

There he was.

Gabriel Whitmore.

Disheveled, unshaven, and looking like he hadn't seen the inside of a mirror in weeks. He stormed onto the set with an air of self-righteous fury.

"Lexa, have you already moved on to someone new?!" His voice echoed across the soundstage.

For a second, I honestly thought he'd forgotten he was an actor, too. Was he really losing it over a rehearsal?

"Gabriel, we're rehearsing," I said coldly, my patience running thin. "Leave the set."

"You're a director, sure, but does that give you the right to act out romantic scenes with your actors?" he spat, venom lacing his words.

"And who the hell are you to question me?" I shot back, anger flaring up. "What gives you the right to interfere like this?"

"I…" Gabriel faltered, his usual bravado faltering for a brief moment. After a long pause, he finally spoke, quieter now. "Lexa, I'm sorry. I regret everything…"

Gabriel was a master at pulling on heartstrings. When he looked at you with those soulful eyes of his, you couldn't help but melt. I used to fall for it every time.

But not anymore.

He took a step closer, but Everett stepped in front of him, blocking his path with a cold, unwavering stare.

"Mr. Whitmore," Everett said, his voice steady and firm, "this is a professional set. Kindly leave."

Gabriel's frustration boiled over. He swung a punch at Everett, but it was a sloppy, desperate move. Everett dodged it effortlessly, his response smooth and practiced. He kicked Gabriel's legs out from under him, sending him crashing onto the wet floor.

Gabriel groaned in pain, lying there in the rain. He reached for my coat, but I stepped back, my expression hardening.

"Lexa…" His voice cracked, desperation in every syllable. "Please. Don't leave me. Just one more chance…"

I knelt down, meeting his eyes one final time. "I gave you chances, Gabriel. I gave you years of them. But when you and Serena Sterling used your fake romance to get famous, I knew I was done with you."

I stood up and turned away, leaving him there, crying in the rain.

Six months later, my film wrapped. It had been a massive success.

As the crew packed up, Everett approached me, a bouquet of roses in his hands.

"Lexa, I, " He started, his voice a little nervous.

I cut him off, smiling gently. "I want to keep moving forward."

He looked disappointed for a second, but then his determination came roaring back. "Alright. Then I'll wait."

"I'll wait," he said, his voice softer. "Until you're at the top. And when you're ready, I'll be here, waiting for you. A small-time actor like me… if you want me by your side, that is."