Third Person's POV
“I brought you here today to do a quick rehearsal. You can stand in for Starlet and see if there’s anything we’ve overlooked.”
With that, Aldrich pulled Eileen to the center of the stage.
From the second floor, Starlet watched quietly from above, her gaze flickering slightly. She had to admit—Aldrich was talented when it came to acting. If she hadn’t already known the truth, she might have been touched when she showed up here three days later. She might have fallen for his lies.
Thankfully, she wasn’t that unlucky.
Downstairs, the “rehearsal” had reached its final act. Eileen rose onto her toes and kissed Aldrich deeply.
What started as a romantic scene quickly turned into something else entirely.
His burgundy suit slid off his shoulders, and her pink dress tangled with his crisp white shirt—now smeared with lipstick—as they fell away together.
No one knew how long the kiss lasted before Aldrich finally pulled back, his fingers gripping Eileen’s soft waist as he spoke in a low, teasing tone.
“Anyone could walk in here at any moment, and you still can’t keep your hands off me?”
Eileen smirked in return, pressing closer. “Doesn’t it make it even more exciting? Doing it at the site of your big, important wedding?”
Her seductive expression made Aldrich narrow his eyes and a slow chuckle escaped his lips.
“You’re full of tricks.”
“How do I compare to Starlet?” she asked coyly.
Without hesitation, he answered, “You’re definitely wilder. But don’t forget—my bride will always be Starlet. No one else can take that place.”
'Oh, really?' Starlet scoffed inwardly while watching the two from upstairs, concealing the mocking smile forming at the corners of her lips.
'Too bad, Aldrich. I don’t want you anymore,' she then thought.
For the next two hours, she subjected herself to the live show unfolding below, watching their every move in silent agony. Only when their heated whispers turned into satisfied sighs and they finally left did she pull herself together and walk away from that disgusting place.
Two days remained before her departure.
Out of the blue, Travis called her. He told her there was still a diary and a photo album belonging to her sister that he needed to return.
They agreed to meet at a Western-style restaurant.
Over dinner, Starlet was surprised to learn that he had decided to leave the country.
“You have a good job here. Why the sudden decision?” she asked.
Travis let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “I’ve never been one for routine. Life feels too predictable that way. I want to try something different—maybe going abroad will be a good change.”
'A life filled with challenges?' Starlet echoed in her mind, full of wonder.
Once, Starlet had chosen to leave the country, but for a different reason—to escape the betrayal and lies that had consumed her world.
But now… maybe looking at things from a different perspective wouldn’t be so bad.
She absently stirred her coffee while her mind wandered.
“Starlet? What are you doing here? And who is he?”
The familiar voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
She hadn’t expected to run into Aldrich and Eileen, the two of them linked arm in arm, looking like the perfect couple.
But Aldrich’s expression was far from pleasant. His eyes were locked on Travis, filled with open hostility and barely concealed anger.
Eileen curled her lips into a mocking smile, but her voice carried a note of exaggerated concern as she interjected, “Starlet, it’s so late. Why are you out having dinner with another man? Is he your new boyfriend?” She tilted her head, giving Travis an appraising look. “He’s quite handsome, I’ll give you that. But does he know you were clinging to Aldrich not long ago, insisting he was your boyfriend? You wouldn’t be… playing both sides, would you?”
Starlet didn’t bother responding.
But Aldrich’s temper had already been ignited. His rage flared as he roared, “I asked you a question, Starlet! Who is this guy? I was only gone for a little while, and you couldn’t stand being alone? Are you really that desperate? That cheap?”
