I Broke Up with My Boyfriend on the Day I Won the Best Newcomer Award

2

I'm long past being the kind of girl in her twenties who would cry and throw a fit over love.

"Sophie Shaw, how about I give you another $75,000 to watch me do another kissing scene?"

The voice behind me was so familiar I knew it was Cole Alastair without even turning around.

"Sure," I said, turning around with a radiant smile.

'Only a fool passes up easy money.'

During a break on set, Cole Alastair went back to his dressing room to change outfits.

That left just Jenna Ivory and me staring at each other.

I didn't have the energy to just stand there, so I pulled over a chair and sat down.

I lowered my head, closed my eyes to rest, and stopped looking at her.

'What was there to look at? Every extra glance I gave her would prove I still cared about Cole Alastair, and he didn't deserve that.'

BANG!—

A sudden, loud noise erupted right next to me.

I reflexively opened my tired eyes and turned my head toward the source of the sound.

My eyes fell upon Jenna Ivory, sprawled pitifully on the ground like a trampled flower, her hand covering the right side of her face.

The loud bang didn't just catch my attention; the other staff members on set all turned to stare as well.

A faint smile touched my lips.

'Such a stupid, cliché trick, and they were pulling it on me.'

And just then, as if on cue, Cole Alastair walked out of the dressing room.

The intended audience for this little play had arrived, just in time to see this supposed scene of me bullying her.

He rushed over, bent down, and gently helped Jenna Ivory up from the floor.

Only then did Jenna Ivory move the hand covering her right cheek, revealing a bright red handprint. Tears welled in her eyes. I have to admit, even *I* felt a pang of pity for her, to say nothing of anyone else.

'This woman was truly ruthless, to strike herself that hard.'

"Cole, don't blame Saozi. It was my fault, I lost my footing."

Her voice trembled as if she had been deeply wronged.

As she finished speaking, tears streamed down her face. She played the part of the wronged and pitiful victim to perfection.

Who wouldn't be taken in by that performance? Even I was a little convinced.

'As expected of a famous actress. She's got skills.'

'She just doesn't have much common sense about getting slapped. I'm right-handed, so if I had hit her, the mark would be on her left cheek.'

He tenderly wiped the tears from her face, his fingertips gently lifting her chin to carefully examine the red mark with a pained expression.

Seeing the worry in his eyes, my heart dropped. It felt like something inside me had just shattered.

'He's really fallen for her.'

I turned my head away slightly, averting my gaze. Gripping the armrest, I slowly pushed myself to my feet.

'Looks like I won't be getting that $75,000 after all.'

I was about to walk away, but his cold voice stopped me.

"Sophie Shaw, do you think I'm still the same Cole Alastair who used to revolve entirely around you?"

His tone was so cold and unfamiliar it made my nose sting with the urge to cry. I didn't dare turn my head to look at him.

"Apologize to Jenna Ivory. Now."

His tone was practically an order.

'I was about to lose control of my emotions.'

'So many people here were waiting to see me make a fool of myself. I couldn't cry.'

I pretended not to hear him and strode quickly away.

I had barely rounded a corner just outside the set when I became so exhausted my forehead was beaded with sweat. I had to lean against the wall, gasping for breath.

The Attending Physician called.

"Ms. Shaw, we have your test results. On top of your pre-existing condition, they show your red blood cell count is even lower, and you have an irregular heartbeat. You need to come to the hospital immediately for further tests."