Emily leaned against him, a subtle smirk on
her face.
I listened impassively, then pulled out a voice
recorder.
“Save it for the police.”
Just then, the police burst in.
I played the recording for them.
Emily’s arrogant, smug voice filled the room,
a stark contrast to her usual fragile
demeanor.
Her face paled as she tugged Ashley’s sleeve.
He looked bewildered.
A police officer approached, handcuffing
Emily.
“We received a report of harassment. Now
that we have evidence, please come with us.”
Emily looked pleadingly at Ashley.
“Ashley, save me.”
But Ashley seemed not to hear, his eyes
locked on me.
<
Exhausted, I thanked the officers.
“Thank you.”
Ethan was waiting for me outside in his car.
He was wearing a silver–gray suit and
sunglasses, looking like a stylish hitman.
Seeing me, he walked over with a slightly
resentful look, his eyes full of unspoken
reproach.
“We agreed I’d come with you before you did
anything.”
I knew the charity gala invitation was Ashley’s
doing.
So I’d prepared in advance. Ethan, worried,
had insisted on coming.
I smiled.
“This little matter is already resolved, so no
need to trouble Mr. Rivers.”
Ethan pouted, but put his arm around me.
“Well, since it’s resolved, let’s celebrate with
dinner.”
Before I could answer, he interrupted me.
“You’re not allowed to refuse this time!”
“Summer!”
Ashley appeared, his face dark, grabbing my
hand.
“Summer, when did you two get together?”
“Was it at the engagement party, or even
earlier?”
“We’re not broken up yet. I don’t agree!”
I yanked my hand free, staring into his eyes.
“Ashley, I’m not asking for your permission to
break up with you. I’m telling you.”
“We were over the day you chose Emily’s side
without question.”
The blood drained from Ashley’s face.
Ethan smirked, delivering the final blow.
“Don’t forget, you and Summer were never
public. You always said you were just
friends.”
“Now I’m the one with the rumors, you’re the
く
Ashley’s face contorted in rage, and he swung
at Ethan.
Ethan, younger and quicker, easily dodged
the blow.
He grabbed Ashley’s arm, twisted it behind
his back, and pinned him to the ground.
“You’re not in my league.”
I didn’t want to watch anymore and got into
the car with Ethan.
In the rearview mirror, I saw Ashley frozen in
place, until he disappeared from view.
Emily was detained for fifteen days. Upon her
release, she held a press conference, claiming
I’d framed her.
But she didn’t know I’d posted the recording
of our conversation at the gala on Twitter.
Along with the restaurant footage of her drugging my wine. It instantly went viral.
No one expected someone so seemingly
fragile to be so vicious off–camera.
But the recording was unedited, her voice
undeniable.
More and more people came forward
exposing Emily’s true nature.
She’d thrown tantrums on set, bullied other
actresses, and had shady dealings with
producers for exorbitant fees, all thanks to
Ashley’s backing.
Even their initial breakup was because she
thought he was a loser and found someone
better.
She only crawled back when she realized
she’d been fooled.
This time, without Ashley, no one believed her
lies.
I ignored the online gossip and focused on
Director Lincoln’s new movie.
Ethan said it was his welcome gift to Burning
Star.
On the last day of filming, Ethan visited me
with roses and cake.
I’d just finished a fight scene and was still in
makeup when I saw him.
I ran over excitedly, “I thought you were
overseas. What are you doing back?”
“Coming to see our leading lady wrap up
filming!”
He emphasized “our“, his gaze intense.
I pretended not to notice, taking a bite of
cake.
After spending time with him, I knew how he
felt.
But after loving Ashley for so long, starting a
new relationship wasn’t easy.
“It’s okay, Summer. I told you, I’m willing to
wait for you, however long it takes.”
Ethan patted my head and drove me to
dinner.
At the restaurant, after ordering, Ethan
added, “Make everything mildly spicy, and no
く
I stared at him in surprise. “How did you know
I’m allergic to peanuts?”
I’d never told anyone about my sensitive
stomach and peanut allergy.
With Ashley, he always accused me of being
fussy.
“Emily wouldn’t make such demands!”
“Summer, you need to learn to adapt. Not
everyone will cater to you!”
But he was wrong.
Ethan not only knew my preferences and
allergies, he remembered them.
He was the one who would cater to me
unconditionally.
Ethan smiled, pulling out two pieces of paper.
“I not only know about your allergy, I also
know you’ll love this!”
“Ski lift tickets?! How did you know I’ve
always wanted to go to Alta?”
My eyes lit up. I was genuinely touched.
<
I’d always loved skiing.
