Chapter 7
Ryan gripped the doorframe, his pleading eyes fixed on me. Gone was the confident star, replaced by a desperate man.
The Ryan I knew had never stooped so low. I remembered drinking myself into a hospital stay at an industry event just to get him face time with an A–list director.
I’d set everything up perfectly – all he had to do was raise a glass and make small talk. But he’d thought it beneath him, like networking was dirty. He’d walked out without a word.
He’d called me manipulative and scheming in front of everyone there. Yet when Olivia started out, Ryan had pulled every string he had, drinking himself into an ambulance just
to get her a screen test.
That’s when I understood: Pride means nothing when you truly care about someone.
I peeled his fingers off one by one and pushed him away. “Ryan, your survival isn’t my
concern anymore.”
I watched the last spark of hope in his eyes die.
On our court date, Ryan clutched a thick photo album.
In front of entertainment reporters and gathered fans, he started flipping through pages. “Emma, remember this? Our first beach photo.”
–
“And here our first camping trip. We slept under the stars that night.”
He kept going. “This one you have to remember! I surprised you with that veil, and you were so shocked you covered your mouth. I hadn’t even proposed, but you were nodding
like crazy.”
“Emma, you said when we had money and time, we’d travel the world every year.” The man once worshipped by millions now knelt before me.
He pulled out plane tickets, voice breaking. “I booked them, Emma. Will you come with me?”
Fans were sobbing, begging me to forgive him. Even hardened reporters wiped away tears.
11:31
Too Late to Say Sorry
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But only I knew how much his Best Actor trophy owed to his acting skills. Even if this was real, I no longer cared.
I shredded the tickets and dropped them in the trash, looking down at him. “Go with you? Ryan, do you even deserve that?”
I walked into the courtroom without looking back.
The verdict was predictable – I won. Ryan had to give me eighty percent of our assets. I
took it all. I’d earned it.
Ryan’s obsession with me cost him major roles, resulting in breach of contract lawsuits that nearly bankrupted him.
As his career crashed, he fell into depression and stress eating. The once–gorgeous leading
man became an overweight shadow of himself.
I next saw him at a car wash, covered in grease, trying to hide from me as I stood there
glowing. I pretended not to notice and got in my car.
As I was leaving, a red sports car came barreling toward me.
A figure darted in front, followed by a sickening crash.
Ryan had taken the hit meant for me – Olivia’s revenge attempt. He lay in the flower bed, blood streaming from his mouth.
Smoke poured from Olivia’s car before it burst into flames. Her screams pierced the air.
Out of basic humanity, I called 911. “There’s been a serious accident on 12th Avenue.” A pause. “The victims? Condition unknown.”
After calling, I drove home. Toby was waiting for his dinner.
That night, I saw the news alert.
“Breaking news: A fatal car accident occurred this afternoon on 12th Avenue. The vehicle
caught fire at the scene. Victims identified as former Best Actor Ryan Mitchell and actress Olivia James were pronounced dead thirty minutes after arrival at the hospital.”
11:31
Too Late to Say Sorry
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Chapter 7
I picked up Toby and walked to the balcony, lifting his paw toward the setting sun. “Look, Toby. After sunset, the stars come out.”
Toby meowed softly. I knew then that he was the only family who truly understood me.
(The End)
