“That agent, Ruby Curtis, took advantage of the chatter, pulled some strings, and leaked the audition tapes. Elizabeth had spent her entire day diligently arranging her apartment. By the time dusk painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, a gnawing hunger reminded her of her neglect. She stepped out for a meal and, on her way back, decided to pick up a few treats and necessary items. Living with Elijah had driven home an unshakable truth: his taste in food was exacting.
To keep minor conflicts at bay during their two-year union, Elizabeth avoided stocking her beloved “junk snacks” in their shared space. As she finished paying for her items, temptation won over, and she ripped open a packet of chips at the counter. Her face lit up with delight as the satisfying crunch greeted her palate. There was something almost therapeutic about savoring simple, salty indulgence. The shopkeeper was glued to his tablet, but a familiar headline flashing across the screen caught Elizabeth’s eye. “James Group CEO seen visiting Sandra at the hospital, openly allowing paparazzi to capture moments, fueling whispers of a potential relationship announcement…”
Elizabeth froze mid-bite, her gaze riveted on the screen. The footage displayed Elijah hurrying into the hospital, concern etched into his features. The shopkeeper noticed her curiosity and chuckled lightly. “That actress ends up hospitalized every other week, and there he goes, right on her trail. These rich folks really enjoy their theatrics. Don’t they ever grow tired of it?” This was Sandra’s third hospital admission in just two weeks. The drama felt overdone and exaggerated, yet Elijah seemed to pour every ounce of his attention into comforting Sandra during her seemingly endless ailments.
“Maybe it’s genuine love,” Elizabeth mused with playful sarcasm, popping another chip into her mouth. The day’s news dampened her enthusiasm for shopping. She stepped out of the store and approached the curb to flag a cab home. Before she could raise her hand, a luxurious Rolls-Royce slid to a halt beside her. The window rolled down to reveal Elijah’s sharp yet impassive expression. “Did you release the audition tape?” Elijah asked, his tone low and measured. Elizabeth’s mind raced as she pieced together the situation. It was always the same—Sandra would find herself in trouble, and Elijah would appear, shifting the blame onto her. The predictability was almost laughable, like a recurring plot in an old soap opera. Was she nothing more than his convenient scapegoat?
