You Had Me, You Lost Me, You'll Never Find Me novel Chapter 2

This time, she had slammed hard onto the stage, hitting the back of her head. For a terrifying second, her vision went black and she lost consciousness.

After sacrificing so much, how could she just willingly surrender the role?

"Director Carter, I really want this part. I know it's a tough spot for you, but we're already halfway through filming. Wouldn't recasting cause even more delays? Besides, my injuries aren't that bad. Give me ten days—no, just three days. I'll be ready."

Thanks to her desperate pleading, Director Carter finally caved. He agreed to let her keep the role, on the strict condition that she reported to set in exactly three days.

Sylvia hung up and let out a long exhale. At least she still had her job.

She looked up at the man beside her. "Dr. Sterling, I have three days..."

The doctor's voice hardened. "Forget three days. Even ten wouldn't be enough for a proper recovery, not unless you want to destroy your body completely."

"Is this role really that important?" His tone carried a hint of stern reprimand.

Perhaps it was simply a doctor's compassion, frustrated by a patient treating her health so recklessly.

Watching Dr. Sterling walk out, Sylvia leaned back against the hospital pillows in a daze. She opened her social media feed and saw a post from Ashton's best friend, Luke Zane:

[Ashton always goes big. Drinks are on the house tonight. Covering a six-figure tab without blinking.]

Below the text was a short video taken at The Reign.

Loud club music blasted over the dance floor. In the center of the crowd stood an imposing, unmistakable figure. He was smoking a cigarette, leaning down attentively to speak to a girl, his expression uncharacteristically soft.

And here she was, carrying his baby, lying alone in a sterile hospital room.

She could not even tell a soul.

When they first got together, Ashton had made the rules painfully clear: they were strictly casual, and entirely a secret.

-

Sylvia checked herself out of the hospital.

"Are we getting married?"

Ashton froze, completely blindsided by the question. He forgot to even flick the ash from his cigarette.

Luke Zane was the first to react. "Holy shit. Did you just propose to him?"

Ashton narrowed his eyes slightly. He raised an eyebrow, reaching out to pull her into his lap. "Where is this coming from? Did you read some garbage gossip article again, hm?"

Sylvia rested against his muscular chest, feeling the familiar, burning heat of his body. She couldn't help but remember all the times he had pampered her so tenderly. But the thought that another woman was currently enjoying this exact same embrace turned her heart to ice.

She slowly traced circles on his chest with her fingertip. Peering up at him through damp eyelashes, she looked as alluring as a siren.

"Then give me money."

"I've been with you for three years. Three years, thirty million dollars."