Chapter 3: Lights, Camera, Jealousy

The variety show was live from the moment we entered the studio.

The lights were blinding, the air thick with nerves and hairspray. My palms were sweaty before I even stepped on stage. The producer handed me a mic and whispered, "Just have fun." Easy for her to say.

I really did want to be a background prop. But Mason kept staring at me, all moody ex-husband vibes, like his puppy dog eyes were glued to me.

Every time I glanced his way, he was watching me—intense, unblinking. It was like being under a microscope. I tried to hide behind the set pieces, but he always found me.

The live comments on the big screen picked up on the weird vibe.

[Why does the movie star keep looking at that nobody?]

[Do they have some kind of grudge?]

[Whoever Mason Whitlock dislikes, we dislike too!]

[Are you sure it's dislike? His gaze looks full of longing.]

[I get it! That gloomy, resentful ex energy! So spot on!]

The audience was brutal. Every look, every twitch, became fodder for speculation. I tried to keep my head down, but it was no use.

His staring made my skin crawl with goosebumps. I shot him a glare from a spot the cameras couldn't catch.

He caught it, lips curling into a smirk. It was the same look he gave me when he won an argument—or thought he did.

He flashed that cold, mocking smirk at me and turned away, like he was silently laughing at how important I thought I was. Typical Mason.

I rolled my eyes, mouthing, "Grow up," just out of camera range. The crew stifled giggles behind their clipboards.

Me: "..."

Whatever, as long as he stops looking at me.

I tried to focus on the host, but every fiber of my being was aware of Mason. It was like trying to ignore a fire alarm.

[Mason rolling his eyes at the nobody?]

[He really hates nobodies! Then this nobody must be trouble.]

[Lol, when has the movie star ever been so expressive in public?]

[Why do I feel like Mason looks a little wronged?]

[I get it again! He's staring at his wife too openly! Got warned by the wife—this is the best ship!]

[...Don't go too far, you guys.]

[Mason is unmarried!]

The comments were buzzing.

My phone vibrated in my pocket—Lauren texting: "You’re trending, babe."

The show moved on to the crowd-favorite game segment. This show prided itself on being bold and unscripted, and the games were always wild.

The host grinned, rubbing his hands together. "Let’s get a little crazy tonight!"

Like this:

"Alright, this round's game is—Photo Album Matching. Everyone has to open the 1st, 5th, and 9th photos in their camera rolls right here. If all three are the same type—like all animals, all selfies, or all scenery—you win."

The rules sounded simple, but everyone knew the real fun was in the reveals. The audience cheered, phones at the ready to snap screenshots.

The matching is just a pretense. The real goal is to snoop in everyone's camera roll.

I clutched my phone, praying I hadn’t accidentally saved anything embarrassing. My heart pounded as the host explained the rules again, drawing out the suspense.

Last time, a top actress accidentally revealed a photo of her marriage certificate during this segment.

The clip had gone viral. She’d laughed it off, but you could tell she wanted to crawl under the stage. I didn’t want to be the next meme.

Everyone on stage looked a little embarrassed, me included.

The guy next to me wiped his brow, muttering, "Hope my mom doesn’t see this."