Part 3Beneath the Love Fool, The Career Supporter’s Script

A few days later, it was my birthday.

Knowing I would be leaving this world soon, I threw a large party, inviting all my closest friends. It was my farewell.

But an uninvited guest appeared.

Adrian. And he brought Seraphina with him.

Around her neck was a stunning emerald necklace.

I had seen it at an auction weeks ago. Adrian had bought it, supposedly as a birthday gift for me.

He had given it to her instead.

My friends, my real friends, shot me looks of pity and embarrassment. Adrian was humiliating me in front of everyone I cared about.

He walked up to me, but before he could speak, his eyes were drawn to a framed calligraphy scroll in my friend's hands. It was a piece by a famous artist she adored, one she had begged me for for years. I’d always refused.

But now that I was leaving, I was giving away my entire collection to people who would appreciate it.

Adrian's brow furrowed. "That was your favorite. You looked at it every day. I pulled so many strings to get the artist to come out of retirement to make that for you!"

I took a step back, my voice sharp. "What, you're allowed to shower Miss Rowe with lavish gifts, but I'm not allowed to give my own things away?"

He rubbed his temples, a weary look on his face. "Thea, you know that's not what I mean."

He pulled me into a secluded corner, his eyes pleading. "Seraphina has been trying to get a meeting with Director Croft for months. He's here tonight. She begged me to bring her. That’s all this is. Don't overthink it."

His lips brushed my shoulder. "We've been married for years. Can't we just be okay?"

I shrugged him off, my smile bright and blinding.

"Of course," I chirped. "Director Croft and I are great friends. I'd be happy to make an introduction for Seraphina."

The relief in Adrian's eyes was palpable.

I remembered, five years ago, when I was sick in the hospital. Adrian was at his lowest point, unable to even afford my medical bills. One of his friends offered to help. Adrian glanced at me, his expression unreadable, and after a long silence, he refused. I suffered through the illness without proper medication, all for the sake of his pathetic pride.

But for the girl he actually loved, he'd humble himself, scheme and plot to advance her career.

The difference between being loved and not being loved was brutally clear.

But I wasn't about to play the gracious wife. If I returned his cruelty with kindness, what would be left for me?

I walked over to Director Croft, a glass of champagne in my hand, and introduced Seraphina.

"Her acting skills are phenomenal," I said sweetly. "She played the part of the devoted lover so well she fooled Adrian completely. And she’s a master of illusion—poof!—she vanished the moment he was broke."

I continued, my voice dripping with false admiration. "Oh, and she can change her face in an instant. The way she sniffs out money and other people's husbands... it’s like a dog spotting a bone."

Seraphina’s smile was frozen on her face.

Adrian’s eyes were practically shooting sparks at me, but I didn't care.

I gestured grandly. "Director, if you have any supporting roles in your new film, you should consider Adrian, too. He'd be perfect for the part of a kicked dog."

Adrian’s fists were clenched so tight his knuckles were white. "Thea," he hissed. "Stop dredging up the past! You're obsessed with being the victim. Are you going to mock me with this for the rest of our lives?"

He was tired of hearing it. He probably couldn't stand to be reminded of his own humiliating climb back from the bottom, a journey I had witnessed every painful step of.

I rolled my eyes and met Seraphina’s gaze, which was filled with unshed, manipulative tears.

The long-suffering wife who had seen him at his worst versus the unobtainable first love. No wonder he was still obsessed with her.

Adrian snatched the glass from my hand. "Apologize to Seraphina. Now."

I slapped him, hard, across the face, leaving a bright red mark on his cheek.

"You deserve to be played for a fool until the day you die."

I walked away as my friends called me over to cut the birthday cake.

We were all gathered in the main hall when, without warning, the massive crystal chandelier overhead began to creak and sway.

Screams erupted. People scrambled for safety.

I heard my name being called—"Thea, watch out!"—and felt hands pulling me back.

But among the voices filled with concern, not one belonged to my husband.

The moment the chandelier began to fall, he didn't run towards me. He lunged in the opposite direction, shielding Seraphina with his own body.

A shard of glass still managed to slice her cheek.

Adrian stared at the wound, his reason suddenly snapping. He spun around and stormed towards me.

"You planned this! You knew the chandelier was faulty! You were trying to kill her, weren't you?"