Chapter 3The Unfinished Script

A few minutes later, the voices outside finally died down. I walked out.

A tall figure was leaning against the hallway wall. Head down, unlit cigarette between his fingers.

Caleb hadn't left.

I pretended not to see him and tried to walk past, but he grabbed my arm.

Not hard, but enough to make me stumble in my tipsy state and crash into his chest.

Caleb didn't push me away. He let me lean against him for support.

He curled his lip. "Pretending you didn't see me?"

"Don't move." Dizziness washed over me like a tide. I gripped his sleeve, looking up with a frown. "...I'm gonna be sick."

Caleb's muscles tensed, as if afraid I'd actually vomit on him.

"You smell like smoke."

Caleb let out a scoff of disbelief. "Lana, are you for real?

"I didn't even light it."

"Oh." The dizziness faded slightly. I let go and stood straight.

Caleb was silent for a moment, then spoke suddenly. "I'm the CEO of Zenith Capital now. If I loosen my grip just a little, the investment amount could add a zero.

"I heard from Director Shen that you went to Star Media before this. Begging people isn't fun, is it?"

The hint of ambiguity that had lingered vanished instantly.

Four years later, Caleb still knew exactly how to hurt me.

I had been writing for years without much success, but I clung to my pride.

He wanted to break that pride. He wanted me to beg.

I looked at Caleb and laughed. "Caleb, what do you want?

"You want me to wag my tail and beg for mercy? You want me to regret breaking up with you?

"Sorry. I already sold the rights. Even if the movie doesn't get made, I did my part.

"Sign the contract if you want. Burn it if you don't." I looked down at my phone and sent a message to Sarah.

In the dim light, Caleb's profile looked cold and rakish. He pressed his thin lips together and said nothing.

Finally, I looked up and smiled. "Someone's here to pick me up. Goodbye, Mr. Thorne."