The flames engulfed my hair.

Ignoring everything else, I frantically tried to douse the fire with water. After a long struggle, I finally managed to get it under control.

Exhausted and disheveled, I collapsed on the couch, searching for burn ointment.

That's when Cynthia posted a live photo on Instagram.

"I'm a princess because Jack spoils me like a real one, tee-hee!"

In the picture, Cynthia's ring finger displayed a massive 10-carat diamond.

Jack was tenderly caressing her slightly reddened fingers - the same ones she'd used to shove me earlier - with a look of adoration.

"Don't do that again, okay? If you want something, just tell me. When have I ever said no to you?"

The video clearly captured every word Jack said.

Feeling disgusted, I grabbed a nearby pair of scissors and viciously chopped off the long hair I'd grown for Jack over the past eight years.

Eight years ago, on a stormy night.

Jack's tires had skidded, sending him and his car plunging into the raging waters of the Hudson River.

I happened to be nearby for an audition and, without hesitation, dove into the icy water to save him.

Afterward, Jack gazed at me, his eyes full of love.

"Emily, when you rescued me, your long hair brushed against my face. In that moment, you stole my heart."

"You have to take responsibility for me. He casually made a joke.

But I took it to heart.

For that one comment about liking it, I gave up many roles that required short hair.

But what good did that do?

That night, neither Jack nor Cynthia came home.

The next morning, Jack kicked open the door, cradling Cynthia who was wrapped up in a bundle.

Seeing my ear-length short hair, a flicker of surprise crossed Jack's eyes.

"Emily, why did you...?"

Before he could finish, Cynthia stirred slightly in his arms, mumbling coquettishly in her daze.

"Jack... you're too rough, if you keep this up... I might not want you anymore..."

"Jack... why do you only like my body and not Emily at all? Is she not sexy enough..."

Her tone was seductive, as if languishing after a night of passionate lovemaking.

I let out a cold laugh, turning to leave.

Jack barked an order for me to stop.

After gently placing Cynthia in the master bedroom, he returned to me and raised his hand, delivering a slap across my face.

This strike was merciless.

The slap left my ears ringing. As my face turned from the impact, I felt my teeth loosen, and my mouth filled with the taste of blood.

"Emily, how can you be so vicious?"Cynthia just wanted to put her name on your script, why did you have to expose her?"

"By telling the industry she's a plagiarist, who will dare work with her in the future? How can she ever show her face in Hollywood again?!"

Jack looked down at me, his eyes filled with venom.

I was slapped so hard I felt dizzy, leaning against the wall to recover from the ringing in my ears before looking up to defend myself.

But I realized my left eye was blurry.

Jack had hit me so hard it damaged my vision.

The sudden accident left me panicked. Instinctively, I reached out to Jack, begging, "Jack, please take me to the hospital, I can't see clearly."

My voice trembled, tears streaming down, my heart filled with fear.

Jack stared at me for two seconds, then suddenly let out a cold laugh, pinning me against the wall by my throat.

"Emily, you need to know your limits when competing with Cynthia for attention."

"If it weren't for her, your boyfriend would have died of thirst long ago."

"You're so useless, you can't even satisfy my most basic desires. How dare you challenge her?!"

Jack's scorching breath cascaded over my neck, like a wolf poised to strike, ready to tear out my throat at any moment.

I couldn't see clearly, trembling all over with fear, desperately pushing him away.

Jack, seeing my terrified expression, suddenly had a wicked thought.

"Emily, do I need to focus all my attention on you to keep you from causing trouble?"

Jack's expression darkened, as if I were his enemy rather than his girlfriend.

He wasn't even bothering to keep up the facade anymore.

My heart felt like it was being sliced open, my face streaked with tears as I struggled desperately.

Jack hummed a cheerful tune while roughly groping my chest with one hand.

"Emily, I've been good enough to you!"

"Try messing with Cynthia again, and see what happens!"

My nails dug deep into my palms as I glared at him through blurry eyes, cursing hoarsely, "Get... get the hell away from me!"

Jack didn't hear clearly and leaned in to ask, "What?"

The next second, from the bedroom, Cynthia let out a breathy moan, immediately drawing Jack's attention.

With a loud thud, he carelessly tossed me to the floor.

"Cynthia, what's wrong? Are you feeling alright?"

"Jack, I've got a cramp in my leg... it hurts so bad..."

Cynthia whimpered.Jack chuckled indulgently, immediately pulling her long legs into his embrace and gently massaging the muscles on the inner side.

"Sweet Cynthia, next time your leg cramps up and I'm not around, go to Emily, okay? Don't try to tough it out on your own, got it?"

He fussed over her, worried she might suffer in silence.

Trembling, I reached for my blurry left eye and dialed 911 for help.

But when the ambulance arrived, Jack simply scooped Cynthia up and carried her into it.

"Doctor, my sister's leg cramp is really severe. Could you please check what's wrong with her?"

The doctor looked utterly baffled. "You called 911 for a leg cramp? This is a waste of medical resources."

Jack bent down to kiss Cynthia's lips, looking smugly pleased with himself.

"Cynthia's my precious. Of course I'd be extremely worried if she felt even slightly unwell."

As he spoke, Jack's gaze flicked almost imperceptibly in my direction.

He thought I would be jealous, fall apart, and tearfully demand to know what his true feelings for Cynthia were, like I used to.

But this time, I just wearily covered my left eye, watching helplessly as he carried Cynthia into the ambulance.