The two tags sat side - by - side at the top of the Twitter trending list . The comments were a cesspool . " LOL , this D - lister really thinks she's somebody . Threatening her way to the top ? " " Does she not get how reality TV works ? It was a script , honey . He was never into you . " " Poor Ava , being backstabbed by her own best friend . My heart goes out to her . " " Chloe Parker has such a bland face but such a nasty heart . Get her out of Hollywood ! " The termination agreement from my agency arrived in my inbox moments later . The penalty clause : thirty million dollars . For a small - time actress like me , it was an impossible sum . They were sure I couldn't pay Sarah's last call came through , her tone dripping with condescending pity . " Chloe , why are you doing this to yourself ? Just come back , apologize to Liam and Ava , post a retraction , and the agency will forget this ever happened . You can't afford thirty million dollars . " I hung up on her . Chapter 1 10:22 Then , a call I didn't expect came in . It was Leo Maxwell , the second male lead from Coupled . A quiet, indie musician who was always scribbling lyrics in a notebook or strumming his guitar . We'd barely interacted on the show . " Are you okay ? " he asked . His voice was gentle , cautious . " I'm fine . " There was a pause . " I believe you , " he said . Those three simple words sent a flicker of warmth through my chest . " Thank you . " I hung up , only to have a video call request from Ava pop up . I accepted . Her face filled the screen , makeup perfectly applied , eyes artfully reddened . The background was unmistakably Liam's minimalist L.A. penthouse . " Chloe , why would you break your contract ? Don't you know that just makes everything worse ? " she asked , her voice oozing with concern . " Just delete the recording , okay ? Liam said ... he said he can give you another two million if you do . We can go back to being best friends . " I looked at her face , a beautiful portrait of deceit , and let out a soft laugh . " Ava , what do you think a recording of this conversation would be worth ? " The color drained from her face . " Chloe ! Don't be a bitch ! " Just then , Liam's face shoved into the frame . He pushed Ava aside , his eyes dark with rage . " Chloe , this is your last warning . Delete it , or I'll make sure you can't get a job as a waitress in this city . " " Oh ? " I raised an eyebrow . " I'm so scared . "