Chapter 4
Delphine hadn’t prepared anything decent for me.
The fabric was rough, shapeless, barely covering what it needed to.
Every scar on my body, old and new, was fully exposed.
She called it “raw authenticity.” Said it fit my role.
The moment I stepped into the Halcyon Awards venue, I lowered my head without thinking, shoulders curling inward.
I walked onto the stage and accepted the Best Actress trophy like a puppet.
No applause.
Only cheers for Delphine.
I fled the stage, my dignity ground into dust.
Then suddenly, the crowd erupted.
On stage, Cassian dropped to one knee, holding up a diamond ring.
Delphine clutched her Best New Director award, covering her mouth in shock.
“Delphine,” he said softly, eyes full of devotion. “For the rest of my life, I’ll give you everything. All my love, all my devotion. Marry me?”
The moment she nodded, the room exploded.
Fireworks worth millions lit up the sky, turning it into a perfect fairy tale.
I thought my heart had gone
numb.
But the dull ache that hit me in that moment almost took my breath away.
Evander glanced at me and let out a cold laugh.
“This was always hers,” he said. “It’s just going back to the rightful owner. And you still feel wronged?”
I stood there like a hollow shell.
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No tears. No reaction. Just emptiness.
He stared at me for a long moment, then softened his tone slightly.
“Don’t cause any trouble. Delphine worked hard to get where she is.”
“Once the sequel’s done and she wins Best Director, I’ll give you some money. You can disappear
overseas.”
Reporters surged forward like a wave, microphones shoved into my
face.
“Ms. Vance, your performance in Modern Robinson was extraordinary. Did Director Delphine coach you personally?”
“You swapped identities with her and took her life. When are you going to apologize?”
“She turned the other cheek and made you a star. How do you plan to repay her?”
“Your ex-husband just proposed to her tonight. Do you have anything to say?”
My hands clenched tight, but I didn’t say a word.
Then something came flying at me.
It hit my face before I could react-cold liquid splashing across my skin.
I flinched, vision blurring for a second.
When I looked up, I saw her.
One of Delphine’s fans.
I screamed, instinctively trying to pull away.
But Evander grabbed my wrist, frowning in irritation.
“Relax. It’s not acid this time. Just paint.”
“Cassian’s proposal isn’t over. We’re not leaving yet.”
Red paint clung to my hair, my face, my body-thick and sticky, the stench clinging as it slid down
my skin in slow, heavy drops.
I didn’t move.
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i just stood there, like something hollowed out, completely at their mercy.
I had no idea what I looked like on camera, or what they were turning me into.
Everything blurred together.
Not until they dragged me back onto the private helicopter did the world snap back into place.
Only then did I realize I was still breathing.
Delphine sat across from me, turning her diamond ring under the light, admiring it over and over.
Her face was glowing with satisfaction.
I forced the words out, my voice fractured.
“You said… once you got the award, you’d take me to see my child.”
I swallowed hard.
“Where is he?”
She paused mid-photo, like she’d just heard something ridiculous.
Then she leaned closer, her voice low and venomous.
“You actually believed that?”
She moved even closer, whispering right into my ear.
“Turn around.”
“Look at that little mummy display behind you.”
A pause.
“That’s your child.”
Something inside me snapped. Completely.
Rage flooded my body, swallowing everything.
My hands shot out, locking around her throat.
“I’ll kill you!” I screamed. “You’re going to pay for what you did to my child!”
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Evander exploded, grabbing my hair and yanking me back.
Cassian pulled Delphine into his arms and kicked me hard in the chest.
The next thing I knew, they had me strung up outside the helicopter.
Hanging off the tail.
Evander’s eyes were bloodshot.
“She gave you fame and an award, and this is how you repay her?”
Cassian’s voice cracked with fury.
“We forgave you. Why do you keep hurting her?”
I looked at them, at the hatred in their eyes, and then I spoke, slowly.
“You really think this is still
your island?”
“You think you can still control everything?”
Before my words even settled, the night sky shifted.
A swarm of drones broke through the darkness, closing in on the helicopter.
At the same time, their phones started ringing.
Nonstop.
Delphine glanced at her screen-and screamed.
“It’s trending-!”
