In a room full of society's elite, my fiancé snatched the bouquet right out of my hands. He dropped to one knee and proposed to my sister instead. She said yes, tears streaming down her face. The bride was swapped at the altar, and I became the punchline of every joke in the Hamptons. That's when Julian Thorne, the heir to the Thorne dynasty, stepped forward with a marriage contract and a very public proposal. After we married, Julian spoiled me rotten. Against my better judgment, I gave him my heart. Then came my birthday party. I pretended to be drunk, slumped in Julian's arms, listening to his friends debate how much a man could truly love a woman. I heard him say: "I married the woman my true love hates most, just to clear the path for her." 1 Every word struck me like thunder. I was nestled against his chest, listening to his heartbeat while he confessed his undying love for my sister. My blood turned to ice. The private room went silent for a heartbeat before erupting into cheers. "Classic Julian! Enduring a loveless marriage just to protect his white moonlight." "You're a real romantic, man. Loving Bianca silently for years, even sacrificing your own happiness." Julian’s voice was low, gentle, and terrifying. "As long as Bianca is happy, I'll do anything." His friend chuckled. "I heard Bianca and Sam are getting divorced. Does that mean you'll get your second chance soon? When do you plan to tell the wifey?" Julian paused. "Bella is dependent on me. I'll handle it later." "Don't mention this in front of her. I don't want a scene." Everyone agreed instantly. No one dared cross Julian Thorne. Someone, emboldened by liquid courage, teased: "But hey, it's not a total loss. Sleeping with a movie star must have its perks." Julian let out a soft laugh, his fingers absentmindedly playing with my earlobe. "It has its moments." I clenched my jaw so hard my teeth ached, forcing back tears. I thought Julian was my savior, pulling me from the abyss. Turns out, he was the one cutting the rope. Seven years of marriage, reduced to a cruel joke. Sam, Julian... they all loved Bianca. No one loved me. 2 After the party, Julian carried me to the car himself. "Drive smoothly," he whispered to the chauffeur. "My wife is sleeping." He was still so attentive, nuzzling my neck even as I feigned sleep. Lying in his arms, memories flashed like a movie reel. Years ago, Sam—my childhood sweetheart—left me at the altar. Overnight, I became the laughingstock of New York high society. Julian appeared with a contract. He said he'd just inherited the family empire and needed a stable, suitable marriage to secure his position. Disillusioned with love, I agreed to the arrangement without hesitation. He gave me the wedding of the century. Fireworks lit up the Hudson River all night long. I had sworn off love, but his seven years of unwavering devotion melted my defenses. I let him in. I thought I was drowning in honey. It turned out to be arsenic. "Honey..." I murmured, pretending to wake up, eyes unfocused. Julian immediately adjusted me to a more comfortable position against his shoulder. "Babe, does your head hurt? I'll make you some hangover soup when we get home." I clung to his arm. "I was just happy today." My voice was sweet, practiced. Acting is my job. If he, an amateur, could keep up a charade for seven years, imagine what an Oscar-winning actress could do. Julian kissed my temple. "I have a new project starting soon, so I might not be able to visit the set often. Take care of yourself." "I'll order food for the crew and make sure your assistant watches you eat... If you don't behave... I'll have to punish you." His hand drifted to my waist, squeezing suggestively. I fought the urge to vomit and twisted away. "Stop, that tickles..." 3 That night, I tossed and turned. I thought about the safe hidden in the corner of Julian's study. The one I'd never opened. This time, it took me one second. Because I finally realized the combination was Bianca's birthday. It wasn't filled with love letters or trinkets from Bianca, as I'd feared. Just a corporate seal. But the company name on the stamp hit me like a lightning bolt. It was a company I had no connection to, yet knew intimately. Because every movie, every endorsement deal Bianca had landed over the years was heavily invested in by this company. I had always wondered. Bianca's acting was mediocre at best, yet her resources were better than mine—the wife of a billionaire. The mystery was solved. It was Julian. He had been her silent guardian angel all along. Once, a famous director offered me the lead in his new film. The script was perfect. I cleared my schedule for six months, hit the gym, and transformed my body for the role. I told Julian how much it meant to me. He said, "Babe, why work so hard? Isn't it enough to just be Mrs. Thorne?" Before filming began, the director paid the penalty fee and replaced me with Bianca. This mysterious company had tripled the investment to buy the role for her. I put the seal back and closed the safe. In the darkness, tears finally fell. My phone buzzed. The screen lit up the room, harsh and bright. "Ms. Bella, have you made your decision?" "Yes." It was time to exit this three-person game. 4 The next morning, the studio van came to pick me up. Julian walked me to the car, kissing the corner of my mouth. "Babe, rest up. Don't overwork yourself." I reported my schedule. "Big explosion scene today." Julian paused. "I thought that was next week?" "Schedule change. Saves resetting the scene later." He hugged me again, completely missing the test. "Be safe. Double-check the safety gear." My heart plummeted. In the past, whenever I had a dangerous scene—explosions, car crashes, wire work—Julian would clear his schedule. He'd be on set, checking everything himself. But now... News of Bianca's divorce had just broken. He couldn't even be bothered to fake it anymore. Fine. I'll give these star-crossed lovers their happy ending. During a break, I saw Julian's custom Rolls Royce parked near the studio lot next door. Bianca was filming there. An impulse to see him one last time drove me toward the car. Only the driver and his assistant were inside. They scrambled out when they saw me. "Mrs. Thorne... Mr. Thorne went to the restroom..." Their eyes kept darting toward Bianca's trailer. I understood. I walked over and knocked on the trailer door. Julian opened it. Behind him, Bianca sat on the sofa, hair mussed, buttons misaligned. Julian panicked for a split second, then smoothed his expression. "Bella. I came to see you and ran into Bianca. We were just discussing some business." I forced a smile. "Really? What business do you have with my sister? You never mentioned it." "Boring stuff. You wouldn't be interested," he said gently, dismissively. Before I could speak, his assistant ran up with a phone. "Mr. Thorne, overseas call. Important." Julian patted my head. "Give me a minute. I'll be right back." He walked away. Bianca uncrossed her legs and sauntered over, smugness radiating off her. "Curious what we were talking about, Bella? My dear sister." "His company is about to announce me as their global brand ambassador." "Soon, the whole world will know that Mr. Julian Thorne chose his wife's rival to represent him." "Does that count as rubbing your face in the dirt?" "Just wait, Bella. I'm going to take everything that belongs to you, piece by piece." She laughed, bright and provocative, brushing her hair aside to reveal a fresh hickey on her neck. Bianca and I share a father, but different mothers. She was the secret child, brought home only after my mother died. I tried to be a sister to her. She only ever hated me. "I hate you, Bella. You and your mom stole my dad. Stole everything that should have been mine!" "Bianca, my mom didn't know he had a pregnant girlfriend when they arranged the marriage... She was a victim too!" "Shut up! If not for her, my dad would have married my mom! Remember this: you are not my sister!" My father always felt guilty about Bianca. He made me yield to her. Even when she stole Sam at my wedding, he just scolded her and swapped the brides. I spiraled into depression. It was Julian who pulled me out, brick by brick, with his love. Bianca stole my roles. Julian would say, "Treat acting as a hobby. I want you home with me anyway." I thought it was sweet. Now I realized, my rival wasn't just Bianca. It was my husband, sleeping beside me every night with a heart full of secrets. "Oh, right. Julian came to drop off a script. He's investing in a new movie for me. Top director, A-list team. Starting soon." She handed me the script from the table. The cover read: Redemption in the Clouds. I flipped a few pages, and my hands began to shake. On my computer at home, there was a script I had spent seven years polishing. It was based on my story with Julian. A chronicle of our marriage, from strangers to lovers. And now, Julian had gifted it to Bianca. I opened my mouth to scream, but Bianca smiled—a twisted, knowing smile. Then she slapped herself across the face, hard. Twice. Messed up her hair and screamed. "Ahhhh!" "Bella, what are you doing?!" Julian, who had been stepping onto the trailer stairs, rushed in. He didn't even look at me. He shoved me aside and went straight to Bianca. "Bianca, are you okay?" Bianca covered her face, eyes brimming with tears. A perfect victim. "Julian, I don't know... I just invited her for tea, and she attacked me... called me a slut..." Julian looked at me. His gaze was cold, ruthless. A stranger. "Bella, I know you don't like Bianca, but how could you hit her? Look at her face! How is she supposed to film?" "There are paparazzi outside. If they get a picture, how are we going to clean this up?" I stared at Julian. My eyes burned, but I refused to cry. I didn't deny it. I didn't explain. I just asked: "Why did you give my script to Bianca?" Julian's eyes were icy. "What script? I told you not to be so ambitious. It's just a script. Does it matter who acts in it? We agreed you'd retire and focus on the family." I looked away, digging my nails into my palms until they bled. Exhausted. Disappointed. Focus on the family? Never again. Seeming to realize my detachment, Julian softened his tone. "Bella, I'm sorry I raised my voice. I was just worried the press would spin this and hurt you." "Everyone knows you're sisters. You're my wife. I don't want people badmouthing you." He rubbed my head. "Go do your scene. I'll come have lunch with you. Be good." I nodded. Turned around, and let a cold sneer settle on my face. It must be exhausting for Julian, juggling two women like this.
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