Cut! My Revenge Arc Starts Now - Chapter 5: Chapter 5

The broad-shouldered man standing before me had a commanding presence that instantly silenced the crowd. His deep-set eyes held an odd familiarity that made my breath catch.
With surprising gentleness, he produced a handkerchief and dabbed at my tear-streaked face. "What happened to you?" His voice was softer than I expected from someone with such an imposing stature.
I stood frozen, my body tense with uncertainty about this stranger's sudden appearance.
Bruce's mocking applause shattered the moment. "Nice performance, Ysabelle. Going all out with a hired actor now?" He gave the man a dismissive once-over. "Smart move picking an unknown—less chance of being recognized." The tension evaporated as Bruce snorted. "For a second there, I actually thought you'd bagged someone important."
"Please," Bruce continued, his chuckle dripping with condescension. "After shadowing me like a lost puppy all these years, when would Ysabelle have time for a real boyfriend?" He turned to the stranger. "How much is she paying you? I'll double it."
The confrontation triggered a memory flashback—college days when Bruce would make exhausting overnight trips to MGM for bit parts. He'd return looking like death warmed over, eyes bloodshot, complexion sallow.
I used to joke he valued money more than his health.
"You don't get it," he'd laugh. "Once I save enough, I've got a surprise for you."
My heart had raced with giddy anticipation. Not long before, I'd complained about my dying secondhand laptop. Could he be...?
My imagination ran wild. A confession? Should I play hard to get? Screw that—I'd waited forever for this!
Driven by hope, I took every side hustle—cafeteria shifts, street promotions, late-night writing marathons. When I proudly handed Bruce my savings, his reaction wasn't what I expected.
"Perfect timing!" He slung a heavy arm around me. "Now I can buy that necklace Gia wants!"
My smile froze. "...Necklace?"
"Some limited edition piece she's obsessed with. Had to pay double through a reseller." His voice faded as I stared at my calloused hands. "Thank God you came through—I'd be eating ramen all month otherwise..."
The memory stung like salt in a wound.
After years of loving Bruce to the point of self-erasure, the scales finally fell from my eyes.
I deliberately linked arms with the stranger, my voice steady. "Sorry. You can't afford this one."
Bruce's smirk vanished, replaced by stunned silence—a first from the man I'd always obeyed.
Outside, reality hit. I quickly withdrew my hand, cheeks burning. "Sorry about that... and thanks."
My first fake boyfriend experience.
"You should've done that years ago."
"...What?"
He offered a faint smile. "Miss Montgomery, might I suggest an eye exam?" Pressing a business card into my palm, he added, "We'll meet again," before disappearing into the night.
Eclipse Entertainment—Terrence Wright. The name tickled my memory but remained just out of reach.
My phone interrupted my thoughts. "Ysabelle, are you selling Bright Moon rights or not? Where the hell are you?"
"Selling!" I snapped to attention. "But I have one condition..."
That evening, my bestie Cherry threw a raucous celebration. Amidst neon lights and clinking glasses, Bruce's cruel words echoed: "With that ugly body of yours, who'd even want you?"
This wasn't about heartbreak anymore—it was the sickening realization of wasted years.
Tears mixed with alcohol as I downed drink after drink. "Why does this always happen to me?"
A familiar voice cut through my haze. I turned too fast, stumbling—only to be caught by strong hands at my waist. Terrence's sandalwood scent enveloped me as he steadied my swaying body, our sudden proximity making my pulse spike.