Chapter 5: The Game Just Changed
398 Words
Chloe leaned back on her hospital bed, eyes still on the door where Ethan had just walked out, visibly fuming. She wasn’t used to rejection. Not in her world. Not from anyone.
But him?
He didn’t even flinch at her charm.
Interesting.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
Rachel slipped inside, face pale. “We’ve got a problem. Mila’s team is pushing a lawsuit. Defamation and emotional damage. They're claiming your ‘public stunt’ triggered her anxiety disorder.”
Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Oh, how tragic. Is she allergic to honesty now?”
“I’m serious, Chloe. They’re planning to blacklist you. Ads are pulling out. Your agency’s panicking.”
“Let them,” she said coolly, flipping through a hospital magazine. “Let’s see how long the industry lasts without its villain.”
But deep down… something twisted in her chest.
Not fear.
Not guilt.
Just the taste of war.
---
Meanwhile, Ethan was in his office, sipping bitter coffee and pretending to read a patient’s chart. But his mind was stuck in Chloe’s words.
“Then cure me. But be careful, Dr. Walker. This patient… bites.”
His phone buzzed. A message from his mother.
> Dinner this Sunday. Don’t be late. And bring your fiancée. We haven’t seen Chloe since she was a teenager.
He stared at the screen in disbelief.
Fiancée?
His fingers hovered over the keyboard.
> What fiancée?
She replied instantly.
> Don’t play dumb, Ethan. We arranged it when you two were kids. It’s time to fulfill the promise.
His heart dropped.
No.
No, no, no.
Of all people… Chloe Reed?
---
Back in the hospital room, Chloe received a call from her agency. The head manager, Mr. Grant, sounded exhausted.
“Chloe… just return to acting. Public opinion can be fixed. We’ll spin it.”
“I told you I’m not interested.”
“There’s a movie offer. Huge budget. Redemption arc role. But there’s a condition—”
“I don’t do conditions,” she cut in.
“This one’s different. They want you and Mila. Co-leads.”
Silence.
Then: “Send me the script.”
“Does that mean—?”
“It means I like watching people break when they play fire with me.”
---
Outside the room, Mila’s manager ended his call with a devilish grin.
“She’s biting. Time for Phase Two.”
- Writer
