Zachary shot her a light warning. "Cathryn, tone it down."

I stared at her, blank. Hesitated. Then said nothing and headed to the restroom.

Zachary trailed after me. "I'll go with you."

But when I came out, he was gone.

I turned to leave—and then I heard soft moans coming from the lounge next door.

Something in me just knew.

I eased the door open.

Zachary had Cathryn pinned on the couch, kissing her like he couldn't breathe without it. Neither of them noticed me.

"Stop... Ms. Arden's still waiting," Cathryn whispered, barely resisting, voice all breathy.

"Forget her," Zachary said.

His eyes were wild with want, hands all over her.

"But she'll worry if you're gone too long," Cathryn said, pushing him off—barely.

He cupped her face. "You ran through the rain just to see me. You're drenched... I hate seeing you like this."

Her eyes shimmered. "I just wanted a glimpse. That's enough for me."

His face softened. He pulled her into a hug. "I missed you too."

Then he unclasped the pendant from his neck and slipped it around hers. "It's been blessed. I've worn it for years. Now it's yours—to keep you safe."

Cathryn lit up. She tilted her head and kissed him.

He kissed her back, deep and full of feeling.

My fists clenched so tight, my nails dug into my palms.

Nausea rolled through me. Everything blurred. My chest burned like a storm was ripping it apart. I had to grab the wall to stay upright.

That pendant wasn't just some gift.

It was a talisman. I'd climbed Mount St. Helena for it—fought through freezing wind just to reach that old chapel.

Hours of hiking. Hands torn up, knees scraped raw. I barely made it before sunset.

The priest said it needed a real prayer to work.

I gave it blood, breath, everything I had.

When I handed it to Zachary, he saw my busted-up fingers. His voice shook. "Sierra... why would you do this for me?"

I smiled and looped it around his neck. "Because it'll keep you safe. That's all I want."

He'd held me close, kissed me like I meant something. "I'll wear it forever."

And he did—until now.

Now he handed it off like it was nothing.

He gave her the safety I bled for.

He never saw the weight behind my gifts.

The pain in my chest was suffocating—like something had its hand wrapped around my heart, squeezing harder with every second.

So much for Zachary's promise of forever. Guess "forever" meant a few years, max.

His love? Never real.

They were still tangled up, kissing like they couldn't get enough. His hands were under her shirt, all over her.

She let out a soft moan.

"Feel good?" he smirked, speeding up.

She blushed, voice teasing. "Mm... I want you to touch me."

Then she reached down, grabbed him—and he lit up.

"You little minx," he murmured, slipping his hand deeper.

Kisses weren't cutting it anymore. Clothes hit the floor. They didn't stop.

Zachary's voice dropped low, almost tender. "Be good... give me a baby."

Cathryn gasped, trying to catch her breath. "Okay."

I couldn't watch another second.

Their bodies, tangled up like that—it made me sick. Hit me so hard I almost dropped right there.

The pain wasn't just in my chest anymore. It ripped through me, like a thousand blades carving me open. Every cut raw. Every wound refusing to heal.

I thought about our wedding night—how careful he'd been, so gentle, holding me after and swearing I'd be his one and only.

In our two years together, I begged for a child. He always blamed my health, said it wasn't safe.

Even when I cried, begged—he still said no.

And now, here he was, loving someone else with that same tenderness... ready to have a baby with her.

So it wasn't my body. It was me. I was never enough for him.

That's why, when it came down to me or her—he chose her. She was the real wife.

Zachary... you betrayed me, after all.

The hit was too deep. Pain exploded in my chest, and I coughed up blood.

I slapped a hand over my mouth, gasping, nausea clawing at my throat as I stumbled away.

Almost collapsed more than once. My tears soaked through my collar long before I hit the exit.

Enough.

After all that heartbreak, I was just... done.

If he loved her, then what was I still doing here?

I started planning my escape. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere I could fall apart in peace, patch up these invisible wounds on my own.

Not long after, Zachary came back—with Cathryn at his side.

He gave me that soft look. "Baby, it's raining. She's into performances too, so I let her stay."

I nodded. Said nothing.

Didn't call them out.

The whole show, he kept me tucked close, rubbing my stomach like always, fussing like I was still his world.

But I knew his right hand was laced with Cathryn's the entire time.

One arm wrapped around me, the other holding her. Guess he liked having the best of both worlds.

Whatever.

Just a little longer.

When the show ended, he pulled out a jewelry box. Inside was a stunning necklace.

"You like it?"

Cathryn gasped. "Oh my god, that's the 'Forever and Always' necklace he had custom-made! It's literally priceless!"

I gave a small nod. Played along.

Zachary clipped it around my neck, smiling like he just hung the moon. "It's gorgeous. Looks amazing on you."

I glanced at Cathryn.

Something shifted in her eyes—dark, sharp. Jealousy, maybe.

Out of nowhere, Cathryn swayed and stumbled, slamming into a metal stage prop.

"Watch out!"

Someone yelled, but it was too late—the metal door came crashing down.

Zachary lunged, grabbed Cathryn, and pulled her out of the way.

I wasn't so lucky.

I watched it fall, powerless.

Bang.

The impact crushed me to the floor. Pain exploded through my skull as blood spilled down my face. My vision blurred.

Right before everything went black, I heard Zachary's voice, frantic. "Sierra..."

But I already knew—in that one second of danger, she was the one he chose to save. Not me.

***

I drifted into a long, aching dream.

In it, I saw everything—Zachary and Cathryn, wrapped up in their perfect love story. His soft touches. Her glowing smile.

He gave her a big, beautiful wedding. She gave him a child.

And me? He threw me out like trash.

I begged him to stay. He turned his back. Told me to leave.

They built their picture-perfect life while I sobbed, broken and alone.

When I finally woke up, my pillow was soaked through.

The first thing I saw?

Two silhouettes in an embrace.

"Don't cry. She'll be fine."

Zachary was holding Cathryn, gently patting her back.

Cathryn looked wrecked. "I'm sorry. It's my fault—I felt dizzy and lost my balance. Ms. Arden got hurt because of me."

Zachary brushed her tears away. "You're not well. It's not your fault. You're my wife—how could I ever blame you?"

She kept crying. "Really?"

"Of course. Don't beat yourself up. Say 'hubby,' come on. That'll cheer me up."

He kissed her tears.

She blushed. "Hubby..."

He grinned, pleased. "Good girl. I'll handle this. Don't stress. Go on."

She gave a sweet nod and walked off.

I shut my eyes, silent, but the pain crawled through me like ants under my skin. I couldn't stop the tears.

There I was—bruised and broken—while he doted on her right next to me. What a joke.

I wanted to scream, to call them out for what they'd done. But why? What would it even fix?

Cathryn caused the accident. She crashed into the prop. Yet somehow, she got a free pass. He didn't even flinch—just cradled her like she was made of glass.

Even if I exposed her, it wouldn't matter. He'd never let her take the fall.

I finally saw it. They were the real couple. I was just the extra.

I'd loved. I'd hated. I'd broken down. I'd hoped.

But yelling? Crying? That's for people who still care.

With Zachary... I felt nothing.

A few minutes later, I pulled myself together and opened my eyes, shifting a little.

He rushed over, voice full of fake concern. "Sierra, you're awake. How do you feel?"

I didn't bother answering—just rubbed my forehead.

He grabbed my hand, sounding all sorry. "I panicked... grabbed the wrong person. It all happened so fast."

"It's fine," I muttered. I wasn't about to call out the lie. Didn't care enough to dig.

He exhaled, clearly relieved I wasn't making it a thing.

Then he picked up the cream soup and said softly, "You must be hungry. Let me feed you."

I just nodded. Calm, cold.

***

Zachary had been hovering around the hospital for days, playing the doting guy like some overpaid butler.

I felt nothing. Just cold.

After I was discharged from the hospital and returned home, he pulled me into a hug, all dramatic. "You're mad at me, aren't you?"

I shook my head.

He didn't buy it. Hand up like he was swearing in court. "I swear, I grabbed the wrong person. Please, baby, forgive me. I'll do whatever you want—just say it."

I smiled, sharp. "Cathryn caused my injury. If I asked you to fire her, would you?"

His face dropped. "I already punished her. I can't fire her."

I laughed—cold and hollow. One second he'd do anything, the next he's shielding her again. That 'punishment' was probably just a pep talk.

Watching him stand there, selfish and fake, all I felt was done.

Right then, his phone rang.

He answered, and Cathryn's panicked voice blared out. "Honey, help me! Someone sent thugs after me! Hurry!"

His face flipped. "What? Where are you?"

The call cut out.

He tried calling back—nothing.

Panic hit. Then he spun toward me, eyes sharp, fury bubbling under the surface. "Sierra, where's Cathryn?"

My chest tightened. I stared at him, stunned.

He looked like he was barely holding it together. "Just... leave her alone, okay?"

I let out a bitter laugh. He seriously thought I'd done it?

No—he was sure.

He grabbed my arms, grip tight. "Someone's after Cathryn. I thought about it—she hasn't ticked off anyone but you."

"You think it was me?" My voice cracked.

He hesitated, gaze faltering. "No, I'm just... guessing."

I shot him a glare. "One call and you're already blaming me? Who is she to you, really?"

He looked away, like he suddenly remembered he was supposed to lie. "She's my assistant. Don't be jealous. She's in danger and I'm worried. Just tell me if it was you."

I sucked in a shaky breath, eyes stinging. "I'm not jealous. I don't know where she is. I didn't do anything."

But he kept staring—like he already had his answer. Doubt and frustration were written all over his face.

He kept redialing. Still nothing.

Then he snapped. Grabbed my arm so hard I thought it might crack.

"I told you I punished her. Why are you still going after Cathryn? Smearing her name like this? I don't have time for your games. Just leave her alone—or tell me where she is."