Chapter 4: Spotlight Showdown: True and Fake

“Second day—only the second day.”

The host smiled. “That’s right. And today you’ll face a tough challenge.”

“Take your kid and use your professional skills to put on a show.”

“Production costs come out of your own earnings.”

Money’s not the problem—what to perform is. I looked at Daniel, remembered yesterday, and had an idea.

“What else did Samantha do to you?”

I turned Samantha’s habit of locking Daniel in his room, then standing outside saying, “Baby, Mommy loves you,” into a short play. She’d tell fairy tales outside the door, talk about Daniel’s birth father, say, “It’s all for your own good.”

But she always forgot little Daniel in that room, chasing after her lover’s shadow. The lover didn’t want the kid. She never sang lullabies again.

“Can you act?”

I knew Daniel wasn’t challenging me this time—he was worried. I raised an eyebrow. “Watch me.”

After the performance, Daniel thanked me. Because I told him: “From now on, you don’t have to be afraid. That was just a play, a shadow of a dream. Maybe when it airs, some ‘for your own good’ parents will realize their mistakes…”

I looked into his sincere eyes. I was sorry, repeating to myself: Sorry, this is the last time I’ll use you. I needed an out. If Samantha ever came back to take you away, to take everything back, at least I’d have the moral high ground.

The Best Actress came over and patted me. “Great performance. Better than ever.” Then she crouched to ruffle Daniel’s hair. “You too.”

For us, it wasn’t hard. Because we’d lived it, it was real. But we both acted just shy enough. “Thank you.”

“It’s the last day, so relax and enjoy yourselves,” the host said, before the diva could cheer. “But you still have to pay back what you owe.”

The diva’s face changed instantly. But we had enough to cover her debt. The diva was touched. “One of us wins, we all win!”

“No need to force yourself, darling.” We all ignored her together.

We pooled the rest of our money for group expenses. The host hadn’t expected that and hurried to check with the director, who agreed it was great for teamwork and good vibes.

Let’s go, girls’ night out! Time to eat!

We picked a diner. It fit our current budget. The Best Actress looked around, called a waiter. “Hi, I’ll have shredded pork with garlic sauce over rice…”

“Order on your phone.” So cold.

Shocking! The Best Actress gets shut down at the diner!

The diva went next door to the bathroom, came back, and looked surprised. “Hey, you’re back already?”

I was confused. “Me?”

“Yeah, I just saw you at the door. Realized I forgot tissue, came back, and you beat me to it.”

The Best Actress chimed in. “Samantha never left.”

Now the diva was confused. “Did I get it wrong?”

Still, I had a bad feeling she was right. With cameras everywhere, no way they switched people now. I just went along with it.

Samantha wouldn’t come to a cheap place like this.

“Sandy, just order already.” As long as I kept her busy—

“Can’t hold it any longer.” She grabbed tissue and ran out, couldn’t stop her.

Maybe Samantha was already gone—

Sandy ran back, still desperate. “Whoa! Samantha! There’s someone outside who looks just like you.” Then dashed out again.

Thank you, universe.

With nothing to do while waiting for food, everyone rushed outside.

“Wow! They really do look identical!”

I took a bite of rice, handed my big chicken leg to Daniel, and ordered him to eat all his veggies, then strolled out. Inside, I was panicking.

Let’s see what cards I have—Samantha’s abuse of Daniel, my acting, my tragic childhood. She has fans, connections, Daniel’s loyalty, and… Luke Grant. Didn’t expect this day so soon. Wasn’t ready.

Maybe I’d be forced back into that house. Maybe even jail. But I didn’t regret it.

Outside, everyone was looking at me with… sympathy? I looked up and saw Samantha standing next to Luke Grant. He said, “Come with me.”

There was another man I didn’t know, holding Samantha. “Who’s he?”

Classic love triangle. With my looks, I felt like my skull was splitting. Hard to say if I’d been cheated on or not.

First thing I said: “Let’s not film this part, okay?”

The director wasn’t letting this go. “Samantha…”

“If she’s Samantha, then who am I? A fake.” The real Samantha cut in. “Film it! Why not? Does she think she can take my place forever?”

“If you don’t mind, I’m game.”

Just a ‘True and Fake Twin’ scene, right? I could feel Luke Grant watching me, but I didn’t look at him once.

“I had a physical when I joined the company. Check the records!”

The man holding her spoke coldly. “My legal team will file charges.”

Samantha said, “I don’t need your help,” but didn’t try to break free. So that must be her lover. Huh, I always thought she was the one chasing him. Now it looks more like a CEO chasing his runaway wife.

“Yeah, I’m not Samantha. But I am the Oscar winner. If you want to settle this, let’s do it.” I heard myself say.

I was alone, so I couldn’t back down.

“My legal team will pursue this too,” Luke Grant said, stepping behind me. His tone was gentler, but there was no warmth in his words. What did he mean?

I didn’t argue. I’d take any help I could get.

“You all favor her! Even you! Even Rachel!” Samantha shouted at Luke Grant. “We came from the same womb, but just because I was born a day later…”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You call that favoritism? The only time Rachel ever favored me was giving me all the brains and leaving you with none.”

Before she could retort, I turned to leave. “Let the lawyers handle it. I don’t do public drama.”

I bumped into something soft—looked down, and there was Daniel, hiding behind me, watching his mom and stepmom fight in silence.

Samantha scooped him up. “He’s my child! You want to take him too?”

“You know the truth.”

I paused in front of Daniel, then turned away. With all these eyes watching, Samantha wouldn’t dare abuse him now.

Daniel called out, “Mom.”

I forced myself not to look back. If I did, and saw him calling Samantha, that would be real humiliation.

I asked the director for leave and skipped filming the rest of the day. The director was thrilled with the ten minutes of drama and agreed.

Two people arrived, one left alone. The Best Actress tapped my car window. I thought she’d ask who I really was, but when I rolled it down, she just said, “Drive safe.”

Her daughter echoed, “Drive safe, Auntie!”

I laughed. “Maddie, you came all this way just to say that?”

Her name’s Madison, but she said it’s too much trouble to say, so she just calls her daughter Maddie.

Sandy stuck her head out. “Bring Danny to play sometime!”

Eli, take care of your mom! Her son was more reliable than she was. Eli nodded. I hit the gas and left, hearing Sandy’s laughter behind me.