Chapter 3

By the time I returned to the company, it was almost 11:00 pm.

The entire floor was still brightly lit. The PR department was running at full speed, and the large display screen showed Seraphine's engagement announcement metrics climbing in real time.

"The reveal was absolutely worth it. Her devoted-lover image is locked in."

"A seven-year relationship? The public eats that stuff up."

"Mr. Norman's handsome, too. The comments are all praising how perfect they look together."

Someone spotted me and waved me over. "Levi, perfect timing. You know their relationship timeline better than anyone. Put it together for us. We want to post it tonight."

Every pair of eyes in the office turned toward me. I almost laughed.

They were asking me, the man who had spent seven years as Seraphine's secret lover, to write the love story between her and another man, a story so moving that everyone would believe it.

I walked to my desk, sat down, and switched on my computer.

No one had a more complete archive of Seraphine's career than I did. I had backed up every interview, appearance, and private itinerary with painstaking care.

I stared at the neatly organized folders on my screen. My hand hovered over the mouse, but I couldn't bring myself to click anything.

The first time Seraphine ran a fever of 104 degrees, I was the one who wrote it down. The day an old injury flared up while she was filming an action scene, I wrote that down, too.

Every time her stomach acted up, every reminder that she couldn't skip meals or drink anything cold, I was the one who kept track of it.

Now, I had to replace the leading man in every one of those memories with a random dude called Will.

The PR director urged me on. "Quick, Levi. We need to post the relationship timeline now."

I came back to my senses and opened a new document. My face was blank. I typed out everything—how they met, fell in love, publicized their relationship, and got engaged.

Ironically, it felt like I was writing my own obituary.

At 1:00 am, the official account finally posted the announcement.

"Seven years down, forever to go." Attached were nine carefully curated photos.

I stared at the caption for a long time. My stomach lurched.

I shot to my feet and rushed into the restroom, gripping the edge of the sink as wave after wave of dry heaves wracked my body.

The man in the mirror looked deathly pale. His eyes were bloodshot, and he barely looked like himself anymore.

Meanwhile, my phone wouldn't stop vibrating. My friends and family were all asking what had happened. I didn't reply to a single one.

Just as I was about to lock the screen, Seraphine called. I declined it the first two times, but by the third call, I answered.

The line was quiet. A few seconds later, she asked, "Did you see the announcement we posted?"

I leaned against the sink, my voice flat. "Of course."

"Some of the comments are misleading. Keep an eye on them. And another thing—Will isn't used to being in the spotlight, so don't let anyone dig into his private life."

When she finished, the last trace of my foolish hope disappeared. She hadn't called to explain or express how sorry she was. She had called to make sure I protected her fiance.

A low chuckle escaped me. Her voice turned colder. "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing. I just think you're remarkably dedicated, Ms. Winslow. You just announced your engagement, but you still haven't forgotten to keep up your perfect image."

Her tone sharpened. "Do you have to talk like that?"

"What else am I supposed to say? 'I'm so happy for you, and I wish you two a lifetime of happiness?'"

She sounded like she was holding back her temper. "Lee, I told you I'll make it up to you."

There it was again.

I couldn't bother to listen anymore. "If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

"Wait. There's a business dinner tomorrow. I need you to put together the presentation materials and lead it."

For a moment, I thought I had misheard her. "What did you just say?"

"The investors still haven't committed to the new film. We can't cancel that dinner. You know the process better than anyone, and you know all my habits."

I gripped my phone and fell silent. She really believed I wasn't going anywhere.

"Seraphine," I said quietly.

"Mm-hm?"

"Starting tomorrow, I won't be handling your schedule anymore."

There was a two-second silence before a scoff came. "What kind of tantrum are you throwing this time?"

"I'm not throwing a tantrum."

"Don't be such a child, Levi."

"Hey. You announced your engagement, had me clean up the aftermath, and now, you expect me to keep escorting you to business dinners. What makes you think I'd still stay?"

I could hear her breathing grow heavier. "Don't forget you're still under contract with the company."

"I'm well aware."

"Then, stop acting so recklessly."

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. For the first time that day, I felt completely calm. "I'll take care of the contract."

With that, I hung up. I scrolled to a number I hadn't called in a long time and called it.