These are All the Goodbyes I Filmed After Our Breakup

I left my actor boyfriend at the lowest point of his life.

A year later, he became a box office king with over a billion in earnings. At the award ceremony, on the stage, he got down on one knee and proposed to his leading lady.

A reporter asked him, “Now that you’ve built your career and your romantic life is thriving, who are you most grateful to?”

He smiled, bright and cocky, and looked straight into the camera as he answered the question.

“My deepest thanks go to my former manager. If you hadn’t dumped me, I wouldn’t have pushed myself so hard. Thanks to that breakup, I was able to play such a great role.

“So here’s to you—hope your life sucks forever.”

The reporter’s face stiffened as she handed him a tablet showing the day’s trending headline.

[#Grayden Graves Ex Manager Final3 Years Vlog]

Grayden’s smile froze.

The vlog chronicled the final years of my life, battling ALS—after I broke up with him.

——

Chapter 1

“Who paid for that trending headline?”

Grayden Graves instinctively masked his emotions, putting on a half-laughing, half-helpless expression for the camera.

“Come on, it’s obviously fake, right? Sure, I hated Shirl back then and maybe even wished she’d disappear. But curse her to die? That’s way too far.”

He thought it was his rival trying to sabotage him at the worst possible moment.

But the reporter said nothing and simply handed him the tablet.

And there, on the screen, was my face, looking a little stiff and awkward.

I was sitting by the window, soft light pouring in through the sheer curtains.

“Hi, I’m Shirl Osbourne,” I said softly. My voice was a bit hoarse, but I didn’t bother to re-record.

“This is my 18th take. I deleted the first 17—they were too heavy, too dramatic. Like I was writing my will. That’s not what I want this to be.

“What was I gonna say? Oh, right—I broke up with him today.”

I stared at the camera for a few seconds, and then I smiled faintly.

“I was the one who ended it.

“I told him I was tired, that I couldn’t keep doing this, and that I didn’t wanna keep chasing dreams with him in Hollywood.

“But honestly… I just didn’t want him to see me like this, getting worse and worse.”

My hand twitched slightly on the table, my fingers barely obeying me anymore. My hand shook badly as I lifted a glass of water. I took a sip, and the glass hit my teeth with a clink.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “See? Like this—how could I still be his manager?

“I can’t even hold a cup properly. How am I supposed to help him land gigs, revise scripts, and run lines? He’s an actor—he's meant to be in the spotlight. I… I’d just drag him down.”

Outside the window, the wind stirred the curtains gently.

“Of course, I wanted to leave him with something a little more dignified to remember.

“God, I really wanted to stay with him. Forever. But I can’t.

“The doctor said… it’s ALS. And my first thought was—‘Well, at least it’s not contagious.’”

I lowered my head and chuckled.

“I don’t know how long I’ll be able to speak. Pretty soon, maybe all I’ll have is blinking to say yes or no.

“Grayden’s got too much on his plate. He deserves… a better life.”

I paused for a moment, and then I pulled the camera a little closer. My face had thinned. My skin was still pale and smooth, but no amount of makeup could hide the blue shadows under my eyes.

“Actually, I’m really glad I got to be with when things were the hardest for him.

“When he failed the audition, the crew disappeared, and he didn’t even have enough in his account to cover rent. I helped him chase down casting calls. I helped him memorize his 300-word self-introduction. I stayed up all night rewriting scenes when he hit a block in his acting.

“He crashed on the couch while I sat on the balcony writing proposals until morning.

“I’m not saying this to take credit. I just really wanted to say—

“I never once regretted being with Grayden.

“Not even now.”

I looked up at the camera, my voice barely above a whisper, like speaking in a dream.

“I just… wanted to leave a little earlier.

“So maybe, if he hates me, it’ll help him move on faster.”

I let my hands fall to my lap. They ached—I could barely lift them anymore.

“I filmed this vlog so that one day, when I can no longer move, I can still play this back… Just to hear myself speak.”

Chapter 2

“It’s April 2025. I came back home for a visit.”

Standing in front of the old house where Grandma and I used to live, I hadn’t even inserted the key yet when the door gently creaked open with a push.

The air inside smelled of dust, dampness—and a faint, familiar scent of cat.

“Kitty McSnuggles—” I called out.

A beam of sunlight cut through the window. An orange cat jumped down from the sill and circled my legs gracefully.

Her tail stood high like she was claiming her territory… or welcoming an old friend home.

I smiled. “You still remember me, huh?”

The camera shook a little—Chantal Levitt was adjusting the gear. She was fresh out of college. I just hired her as my assistant videographer.

I sat on the front steps, hugging my knees. The cat curled up beside me, purring like a distant dream.

“Her name’s Kitty McSnuggles. Grayden and I rescued her as a kitten when we were kids.”

I turned slightly to the camera, my tone gentle.

“Grayden and I… we’ve known each other since we were little. His house was right next door. Back then, he wasn’t great at school, so I’d help him with homework… or pretend to. He’d doodle little stick figures in my notebook and say one day he’d be a star and act in scripts I wrote.”

I laughed softly.

“He talked big. But somehow, he made it happen. A talent scout spotted him when he was 16.

“It was summer evening. He had a guitar slung over his back and told me goodbye. I remember he was sweating like crazy in a denim jacket.

“He told me, ‘I’m leaving first. When you get into a uni in the city, we’ll meet again there.’

“I didn’t cry. Didn’t ask him to stay. Just nodded and told myself—’I’ll make it. I have to.’”

The cat stirred. I reached out to stroke her back.

“And I did. I chewed through three English vocab books. Didn’t even take any cram classes. Got into the best media uni in the city—all on my own.

“Eventually, I became his manager.

“I got him gigs, secured endorsements, scheduled press, pulled all-nighters handling scandals. I stood by him through two of the toughest years of his career.

“I thought I’d be by his side forever.”

I took a quiet breath, my eyes drifting toward a beat-up box in the corner of the yard.

“She had kittens.”

I paused.

“Kitty McSnuggles gave birth right there, where we used to stack firewood. Picked a pretty good spot.”

The camera followed me as I walked over and crouched down.

A handful of kittens lay curled together, their eyes still shut, nestled against their mother’s belly.

“Just now, Grayden messaged me again,” I said. “He said he wants to properly say goodbye this time. Said he doesn’t want me to regret anything.

“I didn’t reply.”

I tucked my hair behind my ear.

“Regret? How could I ever regret anything?

“I don’t regret giving him everything I had to stay by his side. I always believed—I mean really believed—he’d make it big one day. That everyone would love him. If I could’ve, I’d have stayed with him forever.

“It’s just that…”

My lashes dropped, and my voice went soft again. “ALS isn’t something I can control.

“I was his manager. And… I used to be his girlfriend.”

That “used to be” caught in my throat and came out slow.

“But he doesn’t need a manager with ALS. He doesn’t need a girlfriend who’ll hold him back.”

I looked up and smiled. “He’s Grayden Graves. He belongs where the lights shine the brightest.”

I finished talking and reached down to pick up a kitten.

But the next second—my arm froze.

Like something had gripped it.

My shoulder wouldn’t budge. My fingers wouldn’t curl. I stayed locked in place like a paused frame in a film.

Even the light… seemed to stop moving.

I smiled at the camera… one last time.

“See? Like this… how could I ever stay with him?”

Chapter 3

“It’s still April 2025. I spent the night at the old house, sleeping with Kitty McSnuggles. She must’ve sensed I wasn’t feeling well—she didn’t leave my side the whole time.”

I was sitting on the stone floor in the small courtyard. The sunlight was slowly fading like even the sky couldn’t quite bring itself to say goodbye just yet.

The old cat lay heavy and quiet in my arms, ears twitching just a little, her nose softly humming—as if she was trying to match my silence.

I ran my fingers gently over the bony ridges along her back, careful like I was scared it might hurt her.

“You have to promise me something, okay?”

I looked into her eyes. “Once your kittens are grown up—when they can eat, chase bugs, and jump up on the courtyard wall—you need to come find me.”

She didn’t answer, just flicked her tail slightly like she did hear me.

“Come find me at my grave, alright?” I said softly, my nose starting to clog a little.

“I’ll be waiting there, just like you used to wait for me at the door every night.

“You still have to be my cat. Don’t go running off to someone else’s home.

“I used to think… Once you got old, I’d bring you to Grayden’s place. Out in the countryside. It’s quiet there. Lots of space.”

I lowered my head, smiling faintly.

“He’s all tough talk, but he’s soft inside. If you cuddled up to him a little, he’d probably let you sleep on his bed.

“I really thought… I’d grow old with you both.”

I stroked her ear; she squinted her eyes, and a familiar purr rose from deep in her chest.

“You remember Grayden, don’t you?”

I looked out into the distance.

“When you were a kitten, you didn’t care much for him. Always avoided that little feather toy he waved around to tease you. He used to get jealous, remember? Said you only liked me and not him.

“Later on… well, you still didn’t like him much.”

I smiled again, my eyes drifting into the warm blur of twilight.

“But hey, listen, if one day he thinks of you and wants to take you in… don’t turn him down.

“I know you were never close, but things are different now.

“Mom… can’t take care of you anymore.”

My voice cracked just for a second—but I kept it steady.

“So you have to go snuggle up to Dad now, okay? Just… don’t claw at his pants again. You know he hates that.

“You didn’t know better back then. But now… do it for me. Show him just how good of a cat you are.”

She suddenly looked up and licked my fingertips.

I hugged her a little tighter.

The camera wobbled slightly. Chantal didn’t say a word, just quietly zoomed in on the cat curled in my lap.

“Look at her…”

I gave the camera a soft smile. My voice felt like it could float away.

“She’s been with me for 17 years. When I fell into a well as a kid, she tugged at my shirt and meowed until someone came to help. When I skipped school crying in elementary, she waited for me on the balcony. The year Grayden moved to the city, she curled up in my arms and stayed with me for three whole days and nights.

“She knows me better than Grayden ever did.

“But I still have to go.

“She’s not getting any younger either. No matter how much I wish she could, she can’t stay with me forever. And no matter how much I wish to stay, I… I can’t take her with me.”

I looked down. Her eyes were closed like she was sunbathing.

“So you have to promise me.”

I said it clearly, every word steady.

“Once you’ve raised your babies… when your legs can’t carry you anymore—come find me.

“I’ll be right there, waiting. Don’t be scared.”

I paused. My body felt stiff and still for what felt like forever.

Until she finally looked up and gently nuzzled my hand.

In the frame, sunlight caught the whiskers on her face—like spring snow landing on water, slowly melting away.

“Kitty McSnuggles… Mom’s illness is getting worse.”

Chapter 4

“It’s May 2025. Chantal’s not here today, so I’m filming by myself.”

I propped my phone on a little stool by the stove and gave the camera a small smile, standing in front of the old cast-iron pan.

“Thought I’d make tomato and egg noodles today. It was mine and Grayden’s favorite when we were kids.”

I shuffled to the stove. My right hand could still hold the spatula, but my left was starting to lose coordination—just hovering in the air, trembling stiffly.

My movements were slow, each step like a struggle against my own body.

It took forever to chop the tomato, and even then, they came out all uneven. When I cracked the egg, some white splashed out. I didn’t bother wiping it.

I lit the stove. The flame jumped up with a “whoosh.”

Once the pan was hot, I tried to pour the egg in, but my hand shook—the spatula slipped and clattered onto the floor.

I froze.

I stared at the spatula for a few seconds before trying to bend over and pick it up.

But I couldn’t. My back wouldn’t let me.

I braced myself on the counter, my legs shaking. At that moment, I felt like a puppet with its strings cut—arms and legs just dangling, refusing to work.

The oil sizzled. The eggs burned. A sharp, acrid smell hit my nose.

I was still trying to push myself up. My shoulder blades ached like they were splitting open.

And then, my vision dimmed.

The flame was still on. Oil popped, and some droplets landed on a paper towel by the stove with a soft plop.

It started to curl, edges blackening, then burst into a tiny flame.

I froze.

“No… No, wait…”

I tried to turn the gas off—but I couldn’t move.

My arms wouldn’t listen. My legs wouldn’t lift me. I was stuck like some scarecrow nailed to the floor, watching helplessly as the flames crept up the wood beside the stove.

Smoke began to rise.

“Is anyone there?!”

I used every bit of strength I had to shout. But my throat felt crushed.

“Help! Somebody help!”

The flames flickered and grew. I started coughing, the kind that hurts all the way down like knives scraping my chest.

My eyes watered. My nose burned. My heart thumped in my ears.

“I don’t want to die… not now…”

I slumped against the stove, tears slipping quietly from the corners of my eyes.

The camera kept rolling. It captured it all—my panic, my helplessness.

At that moment, I felt like a crumpled piece of paper collapsed in this haze of smoke and burning, all alone.

“Shirl?! Shirl, are you there?!”

It was the woman from next door.

I tried to answer, but no sound came.

“Shirl, why’s there so much smoke?! Shirl!

“Anyone home?!

“Someone, help! The house is on fire!”

Soon, the door slammed open. I heard her footsteps—she saw me and gasped.

“Somebody help! She’s in here!”

She didn’t hesitate. Just rushed to me and tried to pull me up. My body felt like stone. I couldn’t move. She half-dragged and half-carried me out.

From the corner of my eye, I saw someone put the fire out with water. It hissed and fizzled out—like a nerve snapping.

The camera was still pointed at the smoky mess in the kitchen.

I wasn’t in frame anymore. But my sobs—raw, broken—echoed loud and clear.

Bit by bit, they revealed just how afraid I was.

I really, truly didn’t want to die.

I wasn’t ready for death at all.

‘What do I do… Grayden?’

Chapter 5

“June 2025. I couldn’t help it—I snuck off to see Grayden again.”

“You’ve lost your mind, haven’t you?!”

Chantal hissed at me, practically whisper-yelling.

“The doctor said no moving around for a couple of days! You’ve still got the IV bandage on, and you’re here?! On set?!”

I shoved my hands into my pockets, curled up under the shade of a sun umbrella in the corner. I had a hat on, a mask too—only my eyes showing.

“I’m just… looking,” I mumbled, nodding toward the film set.

“Grayden’s shooting outdoors today. Didn’t you say his acting’s mid? I’m just here to supervise.”

Chantal rolled her eyes. “Supervise? Miss S, this is straight-up—”

“Shhh!” I cut her off, holding up a finger. “He’s coming!”

In the frame, Grayden was in costume, sunlight hitting his shoulders—he looked almost too bright to be real.

The director shouted, “Action!”

Grayden furrowed his brow, lowered his gaze, then looked up—all in one fluid motion, every emotion falling perfectly into place.

My eyes started to sting.

“He’s getting better and better,” I said softly to the camera, crouching. “So much stronger than when he read his first lines for his debut. His acting’s so much more grounded now. That’s good. He’s really going to be a big star.”

I turned my head, wanting one more glimpse of him.

But life doesn’t let things go smoothly.

I took two steps forward, and then something behind me crashed with a bang. Someone must’ve bumped into a prop box—didn’t secure it properly.

I flinched instinctively, but my legs froze.

The box came down fast.

Next thing I knew, I was on the ground, pain shooting through my lower back.

“Miss S!” Chantal screamed.

The set exploded in chaos. Crew swarmed in from every direction.

I forced my eyes open. Through the blur, I saw a familiar silhouette walking toward me against the light.

Grayden.

He pushed past the crowd. As soon as he looked down and saw me, his eyes widened in shock.

“Shirl?”

A sharp buzz rang through my head. I clung to Chantal’s sleeve with all my strength and whispered horsely.

“Run.”

“What?”

“Run! He saw me!”

Chantal hadn’t even processed it when I was already scrambling up, limping away as fast as I could.

The camera was shaking like crazy. Everything was a blur, and the sound turned chaotic.

“Hey! Stop!”

Grayden’s voice rang out behind me—sharp and louder than I’d ever heard.

“Shirl! I know it’s you!”

I clenched my jaw and didn’t turn around—afraid that if I did, the tears would fall.

“Why are you hiding from me?!”

I stumbled, nearly falling. Thank god Chantal caught me just in time.

“You’re insane! You’re completely insane—” she muttered frantically.

“Shut up…” I coughed, my voice raw, my chest tearing with every breath. “Don’t let him… catch up. I can’t let him see me like this!”

We made it to the car. On camera, I looked pale and bruised, lips colorless, arms covered in IV marks—out of breath after just a few steps.

“This… This isn’t how I want him to remember me.

“We finally managed to part ways. I can’t let him look back.”

I leaned against the car window, watching the crowd fade… and Grayden, standing just a little taller than everyone else.

“You’re still looking at him,” Chantal said.

I smiled faintly, pressing my cheek to the glass.

“Chantal… I miss him.

“I miss him so much.

“I know that if I told him the truth… he’d understand. He might even stay and help me through this.

“But I don’t want to hold him back.

“I don’t want him to miss his chance because of me.”

The camera slowly panned to the window.

In the distance, Grayden was still standing there—staring straight at the lens.

Chapter 6

“It’s August 2025. Grayden’s new manager contacted me. She said she was helping him move and found a bunch of my stuff. He asked her to call me—said I should come pick up my stuff.”

When the car stopped outside his villa, I took a moment to adjust my scarf in the mirror—making sure it covered the visible signs of muscle atrophy around my neck.

“Whoa! This place is…”

Inside, Chantal raised the camera, panning across the room—but her voice suddenly stopped.

I knew what she saw.

The entire living room wall was covered in photos of me and Grayden.

From our very first childhood picture back in our old town to red carpet shots from his first film festival.

Not one missing.

“He… didn’t take any of them down,” I said quietly, my voice trembling a bit.

Chantal silently turned the camera to me.

I forced a smile.

“Looks like our future Best Actor’s a bit sentimental, huh?”

None of my stuff had been moved.

My favorite books from before I got sick…

The souvenirs from our trips…

And—

“Stitch!”

I picked up the painted plaster figure by his bed.

“We made this on our third anniversary. DIY workshop. I thought it looked awful, but Grayden insisted it had to go somewhere everyone could see.”

My eyes burned as I held the little figure close.

Then, right there on camera, my hand gave a visible tremble—and Stitch slipped from my arms.

The figure shattered on the floor with a crash.

I froze.

Looking down at the broken pieces, I felt something inside me splinter just the same.

“It’s just junk. Doesn’t matter anymore.”

A cold voice came from the doorway.

I looked up in shock. Grayden had come back—he’s leaning against the doorframe, his gaze unreadable.

He’d lost weight. Dark circles under his eyes. Still devastatingly handsome—it almost hurt to look at him.

“Mr. Graves…” Chantal stammered.

But he barely glanced at my assistant. His eyes were on me.

“Belva said you were coming to get your stuff,” he said flatly like talking about the weather. “Need a hand?”

I crouched down, my hands shaking as I began to pick up the pieces. “No. We’re just about done.”

One sharp edge cut my finger. Blood welled up, but I didn’t feel a thing.

Suddenly, he crossed the room and grabbed my wrist.

“Stop.”

“I can’t.” I tried to pull away. “We made this together—”

“Shirl.”

He called me by my name, his voice low but sharp with anger.

“You were the one who said, ‘Let’s break up and move on.’ So what are you doing here picking up broken junk?”

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

Finally, I gently pulled my hand away from him.

“You’re right. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Packing up didn’t take as long as I thought.

Back home, I poured the bag of broken pieces onto the coffee table.

One by one, I started piecing them back together.

“This was our first handmade project.”

Carefully, I glued Stitch’s ear back on.

“He was clumsy that day, got paint everywhere… and insisted on writing ‘Grayden loves Shirl forever’ on the base…”

That’s when my tears finally fell, landing on the plaster figure.

I looked at the camera, my eyes glistening.

“It’s nothing, really. I just… noticed one photo was missing. The one from our first kiss. He must’ve hidden it.

“I know Grayden too well. This is his way of telling me…

“He’s still waiting for me to come back…

“God, I can’t.”

Chapter 7

“It’s October 2025. Today’s Grayden’s first-ever fan meet. He really did it—people really love him now!”

I speak into the camera with a wig, sunglasses, and a mask on.

I blended into the crowd, filming a bit of the stage, a bit of the setup—and a bit of him.

“It’s been a while, huh?”

I smile softly at the lens, my voice barely above a whisper.

“This is my first time seeing him… as a fan.

“He’s so happy today. The kind of happiness that makes his eyes glow. Holding that mic and grinning like an idiot—he can’t even hide it.”

Grayden said to his fans, “Thank you. Thank you to every single person here today. I remember so many of you liked me even back when I was a nobody.”

The entire place erupted in cheers.

I clapped too—but gently and quietly.

“Grayden… I’m really proud of you.”

His gaze toward the fans—warm and honest like stars were caught in his eyes.

I snuck to the back of the crowd and crouched in a corner to film him dancing.

He was terrible at it; he was always a beat behind. The fans were dying with laughter.

Knowing he couldn’t keep up, he pleaded mid-dance.

“Stop filming! Who made me do this? Seriously, whose idea was the dance?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. Turning to the camera, I said, “This is the same guy who once promised to dance when he’d propose to me. Just imagine.”

My laugh cracked slightly at the end.

When the interactive segment started, the host announced, “Time to pick one lucky fan to come up and play a game with Grayden!”

I was looking down, scrolling on my phone, not paying attention—until the girl next to me gasped, “It’s you! You got picked!”

My heart jumped. I quickly looked up in alarm.

Grayden seemed to be scanning the crowd, trying to spot the lucky fan.

I hurriedly handed my ticket to the girl beside me.

“You go. I—I’d rather not. I’m happy just watching from here.”

She looked confused but took it anyway, her face lit up with excitement.

“OMG! Thanks, babe!”

On stage, Grayden turned toward our area. He squinted, scanning the crowd.

Then… he froze for just a second.

I instinctively ducked, hiding behind everyone.

His smile faltered briefly, and then he wore it again as he welcomed the girl on stage.

I focused on the bracelet around the hand holding the mic.

He was wearing the one we picked out together. Different band, same charm.

“He’s still wearing it,” I murmured to the camera. “Why… is he still wearing it?”

When the event ended, I didn’t look back.

Outside, I pulled down my mask and gave the camera a half-smile.

“He’s still the same old fool. Bites his lip before talking. Raises his eyebrows when he’s nervous.

“I still miss him. But I’m scared to see him, too.”

I paused.

“Maybe… if one day I disappear for good, he’ll just think I went somewhere far away and lived a great life.”

I sniffled, and then I forced a grin at the camera.

“God, am I pathetic or what?

“Even now, I’m still sneaking around to see him like this.”

The camera shook a little as I turned it around to film the street.

“Anyway, enough of that. Time to head home and take off this makeup. The wig’s driving me crazy.

“It’s not really a reunion. But his smile was so genuine… I’ll take it as a sign he’s doing well—for both of us.”

The camera stopped on one last frame: Grayden, bathed in stage lights, squinting toward the crowd like he was searching for someone.

But I was already gone.

Chapter 8

“Mm… It’s November 2025. It’s been less than a month since the fan meet, and here I am again—at Grayden’s new movie promo event.

“Chantal couldn’t get a ticket, so I came alone.”

The camera hung loosely at my chest, recording the loud, glowing stage ahead.

Grayden stood center stage, bantering with the cast and laughing like sunshine.

I spoke softly, “This is for his new film. The lead actress is prettier than me and way healthier too. They look perfect together…

“I guess… it kind of hurts. But whoever he dates next… She’ll probably be better for him than I ever was, right?”

I looked toward the stage but my eyes were distant.

The crowd buzzed louder during a game segment as the host teased, “Grayden! Reenact a kissing scene from the film!”

Everyone cheered. He chuckled, faked a kiss on the lead actress’s cheek, and then pulled off a smooth princess carry.

I turned my face away, whispering bitterly to the camera.

“Nothing to see here, right? I mean… he used to have to count to three before lifting me.

“Look at him now. Practically a pro.”

Then came the fan Q&A.

“Do you still keep in touch with Shirl, your former manager?”

At the sound of my name, my heart skipped.

I looked up to see the mood shift instantly.

“Who? Ugh, don’t bring up that gold-digger again.”

“She leeched off his fame and disappeared. Now she wants back in?”

“Stop ruining his new relationship, please!”

I didn’t say a word. Just stood quietly and hidden from the lights.

Then I heard Grayden paused—brief but unmistakable. And then he laughed and replied smoothly, “Don’t talk about other women in front of my girlfriend, alright? She gets jealous.”

The crowd went wild.

I looked at the camera and gave the tiniest smile.

“You hear that? I’m some ‘other woman’ now.

“He used to send me 20 voice notes at night saying he couldn’t sleep. Now he’s up there, sweet-talking someone else.

“But I don’t blame him. I have no right to. I was the one who left, after all. It’s good… that he has someone new, right?”

After the event, the crowd surged toward the exits. I was about to slip away when a sudden wave of pain hit me—sharp and overwhelming.

I nearly collapsed. I was only gripping the wall by the restroom just to stay upright.

My phone kept recording, and I whispered into it, “I think… the intervals between episodes are getting shorter…”

Then suddenly—someone grabbed my wrist.

I looked up.

It was… Grayden!

Panicked, I slipped the phone into my pocket. The screen went dark, and only our voices remained.

He was pale with anger, his jaw clenched.

“Shirl. You again? Finally caught you.

“You think I didn’t see you at the set last time? Or at the fanmeet before that?

“What are you doing? Didn’t we break up? Didn’t you dump me?

“What—couldn’t find a rich guy to fund you? So now you regret it?”

I looked up at him. Every word from him was driving a nail into me. My lips trembled, but I still forced a smile.

“You’re overthinking. I was just… passing by.”

My hands were trembling. The pain was spreading deep like it was coming from inside my bones.

God, I fought to look normal. I didn’t want him to see me like this.

Not long after, the click of high heels echoed toward us. It was the lead actress.

Suddenly, Grayden snapped back to himself and yanked his hand away.

Then, without hesitation, he walked over and took the actress’s hand, sparing me one last cold glance.

“Great. Just passing by. Your presence is disgusting, but it also proves that I should love my current girlfriend - my fiancée - more.”

“Don’t show up again—you’ll get caught on camera. It’ll look bad.”

I didn’t reply. My body was still shaking.

“Is that your ex?” his co-star asked.

“Nah,” he answered without a pause. “Just some distant relative from the countryside.”