For the next two days, Gabriel never came home.


    But she kept seeing them all over Instagram.


    Like when Lily’s harness malfunctioned during a wire stunt and Gabriel rushed in without regard for his own safety to catch her. Or when they shared the


    same ice cream cone…


    Every single photo showed them both grinning from ear to ear.


    She scrolled through them while packing her things.


    She didn’t own much to begin with-everything fit into boxes by mid-afternoon.


    Gabriel walked in just as she was taping up thest suitcase.


    You free this afternoon?”


    Gabriel hung up his suit jacket and, seeing her standing barefoot on the floor, immediately scooped her up without a word.


    How many times do I have to tell you? The floor’s cold, and you get sick easily. Wear shoes.”


    His furrowed brow and scolding tone made Ste’s eyes well up instantly. She threw her arms around him, burying her face against his chest.


    Her sensitivity to cold came from those early years when she’d spent an entire winter afternoon in freezing water for a shoot-all to pay off his debts. Gabriel


    ad used that exact same tone back then, simultaneously worried and exasperated with her.


    he’d thought it was deep love. What an idiot she’d been.


    What’s wrong? Don’t want to go? It’s the city’s fireworks show-you’ve been wanting to see it forever, right?”


    te had no idea why Gabriel suddenly remembered this, but since she was leaving anyway, fulfilling onest wish seemed fitting.


    Yeah,” she nodded.


    Gabriel was as thoughtful as always-loading the car with all her favorite snacks and setting the AC to the perfect temperature.


    Why are you staring at me? What’s up?”


    Gabriel, I hardly ever see you smile. Are you unhappy with me?” The words almost escaped her lips when Lily’s call came through.


    Without hesitation, he made a U-turn. <fn3d27> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n FindN()vel</fn3d27>


    Lily needs someone to do a cameo in her scene. Help us out, will you? She’s got such a kind heart, she can’t stand seeing the director struggle.”


    hat was Gabriel’s pitch.


    You know she’s been abroad for years-she doesn’t really know anyone here.”


    te didn’t even get a chance to refuse before being dragged to the set.


    Gabriel, you’re finally here!” Lily threw herself into Gabriel’s arms,pletely ignoring Ste’s existence.


    te had to clear her throat to get acknowledged.


    Oh! Ste, sorry-just noticed you there.”


    It’s fine.”


    We need a supporting actress for this scene. I’ve asked everyone I know, but they’re all busy. Ste was ourst hope. I remember her acting is really good.”


    ily’s words dripped with mockery. Everyone in Hollywood knew Ste was talented-she’d just been stuck ying nobodies for years. Even the lead role she’d worked so hard for had been handed to Lily with a single phone call.


    Ste stayed silent.


    Lily grabbed her arm enthusiastically.


    “Your part’s super simple! You y my body double who steals everything that belongs to me while I’m away. Then when Ie back, you’re like a sewer rat that everyone hates, and the male lead finally gives you to some homeless guys who abuse you to death.”


    “Easy, right? Should be a piece of cake for you, especially since so much of it matches your real life.”


    Lily’s expression was perfectly innocent, as if she had no idea how vicious her words were.


    Ste nced at Gabriel, who only frowned slightly but said nothing.


    Filming started quickly. Once they were in matching outfits, Ste realized they really did look simr.


    You think he actually loves you? You think wearing my clothes makes you me? He’s only with you because you remind him of me.”


    ily looked down at her with regal superiority, each word like a de twisting through Ste’s organs.


    After the scene wrapped, she noticed several people giving her weird looks.


    Who is that chick? Came with Gabriel, right? Did you see how upset Lily looked? Gabriel went straight tofort her after filming.”


    Haven’t you heard? Apparently Gabriel has some ex who won’t leave him alone even though they broke up. She’s why Lily can’t go public with him.”


    I heard about that too! First she stalked him, then when his family went broke, she swooped in and basically ckmailed him into dating her.”


    What a shameless bitch. And Lily was nice enough to give her this role.”


    The stares felt like physical weight. Ste couldn’t take it anymore and fled to the bathroom.


    er reflection showed a pale, disheveled woman with stringy hair hanging over her forehead.


    Pathetic,” she whispered, trying to force a smile. It looked even worse.


    The really was just a clown who’d stumbled into the wrong story.


    uddenly, screaming erupted outside: “Someone’s in the water!”


    te’s face went white and she bolted out, searching frantically for Gabriel.


    he remembered his parents had drowned themselves—he’d been terrified of water ever since.


    he set was chaos. She couldn’t find Gabriel anywhere.


    n the confusion, someone shoved her hard. She tumbled into the icy river.


    er muscles seized up from the cold. By the time she dragged herself out of the water and stumbled to the ambnce, she found Gabriel cradling Lily, who’d pparently twisted her ankle.


    We need to get to the hospital.”


    But someone fell in the water-it might be Ste.”


    It’s not her. Let’s go.”


    he ambnce doors mmed shut and sped away with sirens wailing.


    Hobody gave a damn about the drowned rat left behind.