I Am Mr. Vance's Unattainable Love

I woke up as the woman who had abandoned a ruthless tycoon at the lowest point of his life. In the original storyline, my departure had shattered him. He was later healed by the novel's female lead, and the two of them had found their way to each other. But I had come back. The entire city of Haldenport was waiting to see me fall. Everyone knew that anyone who offended the woman Lucian Vance treasured would pay the price. He had a reputation for dealing with enemies mercilessly, throwing them into the sea as if their lives meant nothing. I was not thrown into the sea. I was thrown onto his bed. He pinned me down, one hand gripping my waist as his teeth sank into my neck in a harsh, punishing bite. His voice was hoarse, cold, and edged with something dangerous. "Ivy, you were the one who said you liked being with me. So why did you run? Do I need to keep you in bed until you can't even walk before you finally stay where you belong?" ****** It was the fifth time I had been dragged out of the lake. My limbs were so numb from the cold that I could barely move. Only my body still trembled uncontrollably, reacting to the biting chill. I hadn't even been standing on shore for a full minute when Director Victor Cole's voice rang out. "That take doesn't work. Do it again." I closed my eyes in despair. At this rate, a few more rounds and I might not make it out alive. Whispers spread through the crew. "She's just an extra. Her role barely matters. Why make her jump again and again?" "You don't get it. She offended Selene, the rising star. Selene is the lead. And she kept showing up on camera with that face of hers, stealing attention." "So, being pretty is a crime now?" "You still dare to defend her? Do you even know who's backing Selene? That's Lucian, the crown heir to Haldenport, the man who rose above a dozen candidates in the Vance family. A real devil." "If she dies here today, no one would dare ask questions." My heart trembled as something surged deep inside me. Lucian was a name I knew well, yet it still felt distant. Three years had passed since I left him, but his face remained painfully clear in my mind—the way he looked when he was angry, when he was happy, and when he was hurt. They were right. Given who Lucian was, he would do anything for the person he loved most. Even though I had once been that person. I had arrived in this world without explanation and fallen in love with him. At the height of our happiness, I had learned the truth. I was nothing more than a disposable side character in a novel. I was destined to leave Lucian and become the love he could never have. I was the greatest obstacle between him and the original female lead. In the end, I would be consumed by jealousy, hurt her, be sent to prison, and die miserably. I hated that ending. So, I ran. I left him when he was at his weakest. I took his money with me and disappeared. I had never been his unattainable love. I was the woman who betrayed him. The voices around me gradually fell silent, replaced by a sudden gasp. "Mr. Vance…" My entire body tensed. Before Victor could say anything, I threw myself back into the lake. I did not care if I froze to death. Because that man was far more terrifying than death itself. Measured footsteps approached. A tall figure appeared at the edge of the shore. Three years had changed him. He carried more composure now, but also something darker. His features were sharp and flawless, as if carved with precision. His face was defined, almost severe, every line clean and deliberate. Dressed in a black coat, his pale skin stood out in stark contrast. His eyes, dark as obsidian, were piercing and predatory. There was an air of effortless authority about him, the kind that marked him as someone born to stand above others. And yet, this same man had once panicked over a single tear of mine, so desperate to comfort me that he had nearly lost all composure. Now, he would probably prefer to grind me to dust. A shiver ran through me, sending ripples across the surface of the lake. Lucian lowered his gaze. His cold eyes settled on me, and a faint, chilling smile touched his lips. "Filming a scene?" My body shook even harder. I was not afraid of being recognized. I had altered my appearance. I did not look exactly like I used to. Beside him, Victor answered cautiously. "Just an extra who didn't know her place. She offended Miss Ardent. We're teaching her a lesson." "I see." Lucian gave a slight nod and looked away. I finally let out a breath. Then his voice came again, calm and indifferent. "If she offended Selene, this is nothing. Pull her out. Bring her to me."