Chapter 8
The first time I met Richard was right after I broke up with Matthew, and I was really diving into filming.
At that point, I didn’t have any big projects to my name yet.
One day, while we were filming at sea, I got left behind on an island.
By chance, I stumbled upon Richard’s villa.
He was in the middle of talking with his guys about some shady business deals.
When I realized I’d overheard something I probably shouldn’t have, it was already too late.
They pulled me in front of him, and his icy stare landed on me.
As our eyes locked, his tough expression made my heart race with fear. But surprisingly, he treated me pretty gently.
Desperate to get out of there safely, I clung to him for protection.
That night, he stumbled into my room, drunk.
His kisses rained down on my neck.
I’d never met a guy who could kiss like that. I thought maybe being with him wouldn’t be so bad if it meant getting through this.
Just when I was about to give in to the moment, I heard him call out another woman’s name.
Reality hit me hard. I realized I’d always been someone’s second choice,
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no matter what.
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At that moment, I summoned the courage to shove him away and bolt for
the door.
But then two guys in black spotted me outside and grabbed me without thinking twice. They started tearing at my clothes right away.
I fought back like crazy, tears streaming down my face from sheer panic.
I honestly thought I’d never leave this island alive, but just then Richard came in and kicked those guys down the stairs.
I shook as I crawled to his feet, looking up at him pitifully.
He bent down, picked me up, and took me inside. My clothes were all torn up, and I tried to win him over.
After all, he was the only person on this island I could rely on right now.
But he just held me quietly while we slept through the night.
Before I even had a chance to earn his trust, a woman showed up at the
door.
According to his guys, she was his beloved–the one he’d been missing for three years.
I stood outside the door listening to their playful laughter echoing from inside. It felt like it would never stop.
Just then, a gunshot rang out from outside the window.
Richard’s enemies somehow found him right at the door.
At that critical moment, he pulled me in front of his beloved to take the bullet for her.
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Chapter 8
I was caught off guard and collapsed on the ground as he panicked.
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He left his beloved behind, rushed over to hold me, and told his private doctor to do whatever it took to save my life.
Three days later, I woke up.
He apologized, saying he’d never treat me like that again.
But he didn’t say a word about how he’d deal with his beloved or how he would avenge me.
That little bit of hope I had was shattered. I should’ve known better.
After all, I was just a stand–in. What right did I have to expect someone would avenge me?
Feeling heartbroken and disillusioned, I pretended to forgive him.
But deep down, all I could think about was finding a way out of there.
After a month stuck in bed, I finally had the chance to slip down to the
seaside.
As I stared at the choppy waves, doubt crept in, and my heart raced with anxiety.
It was at that very moment that I met Nicholas.
