---- Chapter 2 In the middle of the night, after Conrad drifted off with his arms around me, I couldn't help but slip out to the study. The way he used to whisper Jenny's name in bed, along with the photo albums and love letters I found on his computer, shattered whatever hope I still had. Still, our seven years together meant something. We'd shared too many sweet moments for me to just walk away. I stepped up to the small safe on the desk. It felt like Pandora's box, full of mystery and danger. Back when Conrad and I were tangled up together in the study, I'd asked him more than once what he kept inside that meant so much to him. But he always avoided answering, never giving me the code. Instead, he'd just tease me to guess. I tried my birthday, his birthday, even our anniversary, but nothing worked. My hands shook ---- as I entered Jenny's birthday, praying for the first time that I'd gotten it wrong. The safe clicked open. My heart sank into the abyss. Inside, there was a pair of matching rings, their inner bands engraved with "Conrad & Jenny". They were old-fashioned but looked brand new, clearly cherished and carefully preserved by their owner. I felt like every bit of strength left my body, and my heart might as well have been ripped out. Even someone as clueless as I should get it by now. Conrad never loved me, not even for a second. The next day, for once, I didn't cave to Conrad's demands and decided to go to the industry party. His expression darkened slightly, but he didn't try to stop me. Instead, he said, "Fine, we'll go. But you'll need to stay close to me. With how gorgeous ---- you are, and your 'sister' lurking around, I need to be able to watch your back." He acted like some overprotective guard dog, but I knew he was afraid I'd slip out of his grip and steal Jenny's spotlight. As if I cared. I was about to fake my death and vanish for good. All I wanted was to say goodbye to the directors and screenwriters who'd helped me over the years. All eyes snapped to Jenny and me the second we arrived. "Jean's obviously Gideon's next leading lady. She's got Conrad's support, and her acting's ina league of its own." Jenny's face darkened. She marched over and cut into the conversation. "What makes you say that? That role is mine!" The crowd sneered, their lips curling in contempt. "You're still not as experienced as Jean, are you?