Chapter 1: The Ring Hits the Floor

My hand trembled as I hurled the ring at Ethan, the cold metal flashing under the chandelier. The gasp from the crowd echoed in my ears, but I stared Ethan down, daring him to say something. I could practically feel the stares burning into my back as the diamond ring clattered to the polished floor. The humiliation stung sharper than any slap, but I held my chin high, refusing to let anyone see me falter.

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I had been Ethan Carter's kept girlfriend for three years.

He was handsome, wealthy, and powerful, and he treated me generously. His only rule was that I couldn't do kissing scenes on camera.

Because of this, I lost some acting opportunities and was called fake and stuck-up by plenty of people.

But I didn't care.

I always played by the rules and never gave him trouble.

I just never expected that the first time I made trouble, it would be huge.

I hit his old flame, who had just come back from overseas.

Looking back now, it almost felt like a scene from a soap opera—one I'd never have auditioned for, but somehow found myself living.