“Hah, she’s willing to settle for my second-hand stuff?”
“Merylle, watch your mouth.”
Russell had already snapped out of character, back to his usual untouchable CEO persona. It had taken me a long time to figure out his rhythm and know when he’d switch like this.
“Sorry, Mr. Rowlett,” I said, knowing better than to push it.
“I have a dinner meeting tonight. Stay home.”
“What am I supposed to eat?”
“Actresses have to diet. She’s starving herself—why can’t you? Skipping one meal won’t kill you, you know. She never eats dinner, but she’s still alive.”
“She needs to stay camera-ready to make money. What about me? Am I shooting a film? Do I need to starve?”
Russell scoffed. “Who do you think you are to compare yourself with her?”
As expected, he left me home alone in the end. But what I didn’t get was—if he had a dinner meeting, why not just call or text? Why did he have to come all the way home just to tell me in person before heading out?
Russell… Mr. Rowlett… must have been so traumatized by women that he’s lost his mind.
I’d known about the rumors between him and the Oscar-winning actress years ago, back when they were all over the trending searches. That was when I had just gotten into one of the country’s top-performing arts schools, dreaming of becoming an actress. She had graduated from the same school, so back then, I used to look up to her.
But now, all I felt toward her was hatred.
I hated that I looked like a younger version of her. I hated that I ever attended Russell’s casting call. And more than anything, I hated that I didn’t have enough money to buy my way out of this nightmare.
Actually, no—lately, I did have some promising opportunities. Thanks to accompanying Russell to business dinners, I’d met quite a few promising young elites. They weren’t as rich as Russell, but paying my contract termination fee wouldn’t be a problem for them.
The only issue was my reputation. Everyone thought I was Russell’s wife. But Mr. Pure-and-Chaste CEO had never actually touched me—just some hand-holding and kissing at most.
I knew exactly what was going through his head. He was staying ‘faithful’ to that actress, his one true love.
He wasn’t afraid of me finding someone else. For one, he was confident in his status—no one dared to mess with what belonged to him. And two, he knew those rich playboys were only interested in a good time. When it came to actually spending a fortune on me, they’d all back out.
But they had no idea who they were dealing with. My acting skills were top-tier—I just never got the chance to debut.
Russell had trained me well. It was time to put those skills to use.
With Duke Wellington, I played the delicate damsel. With Lord Sinclair, I became a cold and commanding queen. With Mr. Harrington, I acted like the perfect devoted daughter. If each of them pitched in ten million, I’d have more than enough to buy my freedom!
My plan was already in motion. And when Russell finally realized I was gone, I’d stomp on his face in sky-high heels and make him badmouth his beloved actress a thousand times over.
He once said his ‘pure first love’ was untouchable—not even by himself.
That would be his worst nightmare.
That night, Russell came home drunk.
I was lying on my bed, starving, unable to sleep.
He must have opened the wrong door because he stumbled into my room.
He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, reeking of alcohol.
Then, in a drunken murmur, he whispered her name.
“Why did you leave me? Is your career really that important? Isn’t it just about money? I could give you that—I could give you myself. And that thing… honestly, I already…”
I struggled to break free, but it was no use. His grip was too strong.
