Clarissa's POV.
"Fuck!"
"Damn it! Damn it!"
The anger that once simmered beneath the surface now burned openly, raw and unchecked. It clawed at my chest, making it hard to breathe.
That was supposed to be me. Me! And not Moon.
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I stared at the TV screen. Moon was everywhere—on the news, on social Media, her face plastered across every damn headline.
"The Sweetest Couple of the Century."
"The most Powerful Man Can Actually Smile: Mrs Alexander Confirms Divorce Rumors Were False."
I gritted my teeth, my heart pounding as the images of her smiling, glowing with confidence, filled the screen. She was standing beside William, and the way he looked at her—like she was the only woman in the room—made my stomach churn with jealousy and undiluted anger.
I felt like slapping that smile off her face. Felt like flinging her off of William's side. But I refrained from doing so.
The venue had been swarming with paparazzi's and I couldn't risk going back home with a bad impression.
My fingers tightened around the remote. I could barely recognize her anymore. The once timid senseless girl that had always been beneath me.
There was something about Moon, something sharper…something fiercer. She wasn't the quiet little shadow I used to ignore.
Now she shone so brightly that it hurt to look at her. And the worst part? William couldn't take his eyes off her!
I scoffed bitterly, throwing the remote into the couch. This isn't fair! How did she do it? How did she make him ignore me like I wasn't even there?
I could still feel the sting of it, sitting beside him at the auction, waiting for him to notice me. But he didn't. Not once. His entire focus had been on Moon!
And when she recklessly spent his money, I had expected him to lash out, to be furious. But he didn't! He barely even reacted. Just told her to pay him back, like it was nothing. Like he would let her get away with anything.
I paced the room, my mind racing. And why that statue? Why that bracelet? Of all the beautiful things Moon could purchase, she chose to purchase a statue?
I had seen it—the desperation flickering in her eyes beneath the confidence she wore like a mask the moment that items came on display. That wasn't just an impulse buy. No. It was something else. Something more.
A slow, wicked smile spread across my lips. William might be blind, but I wasn't. I'll figure it out. I'll find out what she's hiding, and when I do, I'll make him see.
But how? I needed proof. A reason to make him doubt her. If I pushed too hard without evidence, he'd brush it off as another one of my rant antics.
I hurried to my vanity table, searching for my phone. I needed to make a few calls, dig into that auction item, and see what Moon was really after.
My hands fumbled through the scattered cosmetics and perfume bottles. Where the hell was it?
Before I could find it, my phone buzzed. The sound cut through the tense silence, and my eyes snapped to the glowing screen.
William!
My breaths hitched, and for a moment, all my anger melted away. My fingers hovered over the screen, a soft smile tugging at my lips. Finally!
But then I remember the way he ignored me earlier, and my smile faded. I wasn't going to let him off so easily. He had dismissed me like I was nothing. I wouldn't let him forget it.
I swiped to answer, pressing the phone against my ear. But I don't say anything. Let him speak first.
The sound of his steady breathing filled my ears, and for a brief second, I wondered if he felt too guilty to speak.
There was a rustling sound, and then finally, his voice came through.
"Babe."
Silence. I still didn't talk. The silence should be a reflection for him.
"Are you there?" His voice was low and pleading. "I know you're angry at me and you have every right to be."
As the CEO of Helm's group, he has been proud and powerful, someone who barely speaks, except that it was necessary, he had probably said more than he should.
Before I could say something, he beat me to it, his voice tender and soft. "Clarissa… you remember that role you wanted? The one you kept talking about?"
I stilled, my heart skipping a beat, but I kept my voice indifferent. "What about it?"
"I called the director," he said, his tone softening, like he was offering me an olive branch. "You have an audition tomorrow. All you have to do is show up."
I blinked, my grip on the phone tightening. My lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
He called the director? Just like that? My pulse quickened. That role—I had wanted it for months! It was my ticket back to the limelight, my chance to reclaim what Moon is stealing.
But I couldn't let him hear the excitement in my voice. Not yet. I swallowed and leaned against the vanity, my gaze fixated on my reflection in the mirror.
"Are you serious?" I asked, trying to keep the tremor of anticipation from creeping into my tone.
"You know I don't joke with things like this, things that regard you. After all, you're my one and only," he said. "So all you need to do is show up and the rest is up to you."
A slow smile spread across my face. I could already see it—the flashing cameras, the headlines, the world finally seeing what they were missing out on. Who I am.
Because when it came to the entertainment industry, Alexander William was king. His name alone could make or break careers. A single word from him and doors would open—or slam shut forever.
Directors, producers, actors—they all dance to his time. They all fawn over him. And now, he was pulling strings…just for me.
I felt a rush of power flood through me. If William was still willing to use his influence for me, then I wasn't losing him. Then there is no need to panic.
I let out a soft, pleased hum, turning the phone in my hand. "Well," I drawled, "I suppose I could make some time tomorrow."
He sighed, the relief in his voice making my heart swell. "Good. I thought you'd like that."
Like it? What was he even saying? I loved it! My mind was already racing ahead, planning everything. I'd make sure to show up looking perfect and dazzling. There would be no competition or doubt.
This was my chance to remind the world—and William—why I was the one who belonged by his side. Not Moon. That it was never her.
I turned back to the mirror, my smile widening as I imagined the headlines. "Clarissa Monroe: The Comeback Everyone's Been Waiting For."
"...boss, the meeting…" I heard voices from the background.
Did he really go straight to the office after the auction ended? I smiled. Then he must definitely be mad at Moon!
"Yeah, one second," he replied to that person.
"And oh, Clarrissa, the auction is set to begin by 10am tomorrow." Williams' voice snapped me out of my reverie. "Be sure to be there before then. Good luck!" And then the line went dead.
My smile broadened by how affectionate he is towards me. Tomorrow, I would own that audition.
The next day, I was there at the venue with my shoulders held high. After all, I was referred to by the most powerful man.
However, my smile faltered, when it caught sight of the one person I never expected to see!