Cut! My Revenge Arc Starts Now - Chapter 3: Chapter 3

The childhood friend I'd loved for years was now twisting the knife in my heart—slowly, deliberately, savoring every turn.
Gianna let out a mocking laugh and gave Bruce's arm a patronizing pat. "Come on, even you must realize—since she's got no one, the least you could do is set her up with somebody decent."
"You grew up together," she continued, flashing me a sickeningly sweet smile dripping with fake concern. "You can't just abandon her now, can you?"
Bruce kissed her forehead like she'd just proposed world peace. "That's my Gia—always thinking of others. Otherwise, Ysabelle might waste her whole life waiting."
Gianna leaned in, eyes glittering with malicious curiosity. "So what's your type? Spill the details—we'll play matchmaker."
"No thanks," I bit out, my voice ice-cold.
I knew this game. That knife between my ribs twisted deeper as her performance continued.
Gianna's lips trembled as she turned to Bruce. "Did I... say something wrong? Ysabelle looks angry."
"I'm only trying to help," she sighed, laying a delicate hand on his chest. "A woman alone in this world... it's so hard."
Bruce melted on cue.
His face darkened as he rounded on me. "Gianna goes out of her way to help, and this is the thanks she gets? Where's your gratitude?"
The peanut gallery erupted on command:
"Only someone as perfect as Gia would bother with her."
"That attitude explains why she's still single."
A particularly nasty voice cut through: "Still clinging to someone else's man? Pathetic."
Bruce stiffened like he'd been electrocuted. His grip on Gia's hand turned possessive as he put an entire football field between us.
"Don't be ridiculous," he snapped. "Ysabelle and I are just friends."
Turning to Gia with puppy-dog eyes, he declared, "There's only ever been you."
Gianna gave me a theatrical sigh. "We're women—did you really think I wouldn't notice?"
She shook her head like a disappointed saint. "Some things just aren't meant to be. When will you let go?"
Compared to her radiant glow, I must've looked like some deranged stalker.
She whipped out her phone with a flourish. "Let's find you someone! This guy's solid—mature, stable..."
I squinted at the photo. "You mean bald, divorced, and boring?"
Undeterred, she swiped. "How about this one? Not tall, but he's got potential—"
"Short, cheap, and looks like he collects toenails?" Her plastic smile cracked. Mission accomplished.
Bruce glared like I'd kicked a puppy. "Who do you think you are? You should be grateful anyone's willing to take you."
He waved dismissively at the crew. "Hell, just grab some random guy here and call it a day. It's not like it matters."
The words hit like a slap. My palms stung where my nails bit into flesh.
A bitter laugh escaped me. "Is that really all I'm worth to you?"
Bruce opened his mouth—maybe to backtrack—but Gia swooped in like a vulture.
"A woman's happiness is precious," she simpered. "Don't pressure her, Bruce. After all..."
After all what?
That I'm an orphan? That I don't have her trust fund?
Bruce was already on his knees, tenderly massaging her feet like she'd marched through the desert. "You're too good for this world. She doesn't deserve your kindness."
I inhaled sharply, clinging to my last shred of dignity. "Save your efforts. I already have a boyfriend."
Bruce's head snapped up like I'd detonated a bomb. "Since when?" The questions fired rapid-fire. "Who is he? Why didn't I know?"
Funny—he almost sounded jealous.