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."