Chapter 4The Choice You Made

Until the accident. The moment I realized we were over.

It happened on a reality survival show. Both Lily and I were cast.

Lily played the delicate flower. I was the capable quiet one.

Julian came to visit the set.

We were filming near a lake. The old wooden dock Lily and I were standing on suddenly collapsed.

We both plunged into the water.

Chaos erupted. Crew members shouted.

But before anyone could react, Julian—billionaire CEO Julian Thorne—dove into the water.

I can't swim.

When I saw him diving, I thought he was coming for me. I was his wife.

But when I saw him grab Lily and swim toward the shore, something in me broke.

I realized then: He doesn't love me.

It was like he didn't even see me. He carried Lily to his car, frantic, treating her like fine china.

As I sank into the darkness, the last thing I saw was his car driving away.

By the time the crew fished me out, I was unconscious.

Because Julian had caused such a scene saving Lily, everyone assumed I was safe. It took the assistant director screaming to make them realize I was still under.

I woke up in the hospital. Only Sarah was there.

She was crying.

"Sarah, I'm not dead," I croaked.

"Oh my god, Jessie! You scared me to death! You have the worst luck. Julian made such a scene saving that green tea b*tch that everyone forgot about you!"

"It's okay."

My heart was calm. Dead calm.

I thought we were one. Reality slapped me awake.

That afternoon, I was discharged. I saw them in the lobby.

Julian was supporting Lily. My parents were trailing behind them, fussing over her, putting a coat over her shoulders.

They looked like a happy family.

They had completely forgotten I existed.

I watched them walk away. Then I pulled out my phone and called the lawyer Sarah had recommended.

"Draw up the papers," I said.