“Let’s divorce. The papers are on the table.”
Then I switched off my phone.
Chapter 2
Ethan Ford, the director, greeted me
personally at LAX.
He held a massive bouquet of red roses,
stepping forward as if to hug me.
“My muse! You finally made it!”
I stepped back, avoiding his embrace and the
attempted air kiss.
His disappointment was palpable.
く
“Jenna, must we be so formal?”
I pulled out my credit card.
“Formal? I’m here to invest in your film.‘
99
Ethan was a rising star in the independent
film scene.
He also happened to be Mark’s half–brother,
the illegitimate son Mark’s father had tried to
hide.
Years ago, when I was a fresh face in
Hollywood, Ethan had seen my potential.
He’d wanted me to star in his films.
But his secret came out, forcing him to flee
the country seeking refuge and opportunity.
Г
We got in his car.
He talked excitedly about the script, the story,
the adventure.
I was captivated.
“This film is going to be huge,” I breathed.
Ethan laughed.
“An actress with your talent should have been
huge a long time ago.
My phone, buzzed.
وو
Mark.
‘Jenna, you’ve gone too far this time
Kunning away? ignoring your work?
“And threatening divorce?”
“Get back here now, or you’ll regret it.‘
99
Mark came from money. His production
company only had one client: him.
While he’d arranged my entry into the
industry, he’d never signed me to a contract. I
was free to walk away.
I ignored the message, a wave of relief
washing over me.
The phone rang.
I accidentally answered.
L
Mark’s voice, tight with anger, filled the car.
“Jenna, enough with the games. I’m not
playing.”
“You’re the bride. Do you want me to look
like a fool?”
“Sarah’s blaming herself for you running off.
She’s been hysterical, crying non–stop. If you
don’t show up, I’ll…”
He trailed off, realizing he had no leverage.
He used to threaten to stop my mom’s
treatments.
Now Mom was ashes. Threats were useless.
“If you don’t apologize to Sarah, I’m replacing
you at the wedding.”
Still the arrogant, entitled tone.
I laughed again.
“It was never my wedding.”
“The dress wasn’t my size, the style wasn’t
my taste. I made myself clear.”
“Mark, sign the divorce papers. You and
Sarah can have your wedding.”
A flicker of panic entered his voice.
“Jenna, I…”
I hung up, blocked his number.
୮
I posted on social media: “I, Jenna Hayes,
former client and wife of Mark Green, am
now divorced. I am no longer affiliated with
“”
his company.”
I attached a blurred image of our marriage
certificate, the date clearly visible: one year
ago.
The internet went wild.
Mark’s fans swarmed, accusing me of being a
clout–chasing nobody. Others watched with
morbid curiosity.
Mark’s PR team quickly intervened, burying
my post.
He called again.
Г
“Jenna, are you insane? Who gave you
permission to post that?”
His voice was different now, strained.
“Mark, you clearly love Sarah. I’m giving you
back to her.”
I hung up, blocked him again.
Ethan leaned against the doorway, his face
shadowed.
“Jenna, are you sure about this?”
Years ago, when he’d learned about my
relationship with Mark, Ethan had suggested I
steal company files, help him take Mark
down.
Г
I’d refused.
“I thought you were head over heels for him.”
He stepped into the light, a wry smile on his
face.
I had been.
The day I learned about Mom’s cancer was
my eighteenth birthday.
The rain was torrential, people rushing past,
umbrellas jostling.
Mark had stopped, offered me shelter.
“Why is such a pretty girl crying?”
“Medical bills? I’ll take care of them Those
く
beautiful eyes weren’t made for tears.”
Later, he’d asked, with a smile, if I wanted to
be with him.
Even knowing I’d be a secret, a shadow, I’d
said yes.
Ethan pulled me from the memory.
“Here’s the full script. We leave for the
desert tomorrow. Don’t tell me you can’t
handle a little heat.
99
He was right. Filming in the desert was brutal.
But I never complained.
Three months blurred by.
Cell service was spotty.
I barely spoke to anyone outside the film
crew, barely thought of Mark.
On wrap day, we were celebrating, drinking,
dancing, when I saw him.
A familiar figure, standing in the distance,
watching me.
