The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape

Gabriel hesitated on the other end, his breathing unsteady. Deep down, I knew he wouldn't choose me over the fame that had transformed him from the gentleman I'd fallen so deeply in love with into the renowned actor he was now..

Finally, his voice broke through, tinged with a hint of desperation that tightened my fingers around the phone. "Issa, please... anything but that. You know the reporters and social media are watching this event. They're counting on the chemistry between Sabrina and me to draw viewers. The network has invested millions in this."

A bitter smile tugged at my lips as pain twisted in my chest. I'd expected this from Gabriel, yet it didn't hurt any less.

“Then, stop wasting my time-and Sophia's,” I said coldly. “You're right about one thing: I don't want to be involved with you. That's why I'm asking to terminate the contract."

"Issa..." His voice faltered, stunned by my detachment. "No! Please, just

hear me-

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But I didn't give him a chance. I ended the call, even as my heart ached. I loved Gabriel deeply, but it's time to let go. Loving him isn't worth this endless dance of hope and disappointment.

It's sad that he still expects me to accept his situation, as I have done for five long years. But I'm human, too-I have dreams and desires of my own.

"Are you alright?" Sophia asked gently, her concern evident.

I mustered a small smile. "I'll find a way to cover the termination fees, Sophia. I just worry about leaving you without support."

"Don't worry about me," she reassured, waving away my concern with manicured fingers. "I have two other talents to look after. Focus on yourself."

I returned her smile. Sophia didn't deserve to be pulled into my mess-she'd been more than just an agent these past years.

After a quick touch-up and slipping into an elegant black dress that felt like armor, I attended the event. I made my way to the event. The gathering would start with a few questions from reporters for the drama series promotion.

On stage, a chair was reserved for me. I could sense Gabriel's gaze burning into me from his seat, the longing that might flicker in his eyes, but I brushed it off.

The questions began with simple, predictable ones about the drama's plot and characters. But soon, they turned to Gabriel's relationship with Sabrina.

One reporter asked, "It's no secret that many fans are curious about your real relationship with Sabrina. After two years of working together, I have a bold question: are you two dating right now?"

I kept my expression neutral, a mask perfected through countless similar moments.

"What do you think?" Sabrina replied with a bright smile. She played the coy starlet perfectly, even tilting her head just right.

The reporters exchanged knowing looks.

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Gabriel reached for his microphone, hesitation visible in the tremor of his hand as

if he was about to say something important. Something true, for once.

"Uh, I'm in a relationship..."

But before he could finish, Sabrina leaned in, covering his microphone with her hand and whispering something in his ear. Her expression was sweet as poison- like a doting girlfriend reminding him of something.

The reporters' smiles widened, perhaps charmed by the chemistry between the lead actors. They Why wowsed Cafes we about to confess their relationship, but Sabrina seemed determined to keep up the prMKIN.

"Sorry, guys, our lips are sealed. Our managers and agency are watching Sabrina said with a knowing lock

Yet, thanks to Gabriel's fumbled words, the reporters and those watching, the livestream had ready yunged to their desired conclusion about a romance between the two actors. I watched their faces light up with eristum

The party shifted to the pool area. I planned to linger for another thirty minutes, kny enough to mine with a few familier faces without raising suspicions. Some reporters approached me with questions abou my work and life, and 1 answered on autopilot.

Before I could escape, Sabrina glided over to my cocktail table,

"Did you ask Gabriel to admit the truth about your relationship?" she asked softly, her smile disarming in its practiced perfection. To any observer, we appeared to be just two friends having a casual chat,

I chose not to respond, taking a slow sip of my drink instead.

She continued to provoke me. "That won't lead anywhere, Isabella. You can't win over me?

With a smirk, she pressed something on her phone, and moments later, mine vibrated against the table like a warring,

I glanced at my screen to see that Sabrina had sent me a two-minute voice recording on my messaging app

"I suggest you listen to this with your Bluetooth headset. Her eyes glittered with malice in the pool lights. "You wouldn't want everyone to hear the recording," she said, flashing me a sly wink.

I stared at her, feeling a mix of confusion and annoyance. "Sabrina, I don't understand what your point is. You've seen it already-I broke up with him. Whatever relationship you two had doesn't matter to me anymore"

Feigning indifference, I stood to leave the table, though Sabrina's voice recording intrigued me, and I wanted to hear it.noveldrama

As I walked by her, I couldn't help but throw one last insult, my whisper cutting

like glass: "By the way, keep a tight grip on Gabriel's neck. We both know he's the reason for your fame. What if some pathetic new fan tries to approach him again?"

Her teeth clenched at my words, but I didn't notice her plotting something then.

Suddenly, she grabbed my arm and yanked me toward the pool. My eyes widened as I watched her orchestrate her fall, her body arcing gracefully into the water first. The force of her grip dragged me after her.

The cold water shocked my system, stealing my breath. Chlorine burned my eyes and nose.

"Oh my god!" Gasps rippled through the crowd like waves, phones already raised to capture the drama.

Gabriel, witnessing our plunge, swiftly shed his coat. I struggled in my soaked gown, the heavy fabric shifting from elegant to an anchor, pulling me down.

"Help!" Sabrina screamed, and Gabriel swam towards her, instinctively reaching for the damsel in distress.

Fighting my way to the edge of the pool, fellow artists lent their hands to help me climb out. Collapsing onto the deck, gasps for air escaped my lips as mascara streamed down my cheeks like black tears.

Sabrina clung to Gabriel, sobbing. "Isabella pushed me into the pool!" She buried her face in his chest, voice trembling. "I don't know what her problem is."

The crowd's gazes shifted to me, their looks laced with judgment. In their eyes, I was the jealous co-actress, consumed by envy toward the lead. The co-artist who tried to help me backed away as if I were contagious.

22:51 Fri, 11 Apr

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I pressed my lips together, feeling the sting of their accusations burn hotter than the chlorine. A coat was draped over my shoulders. As I raised my gaze, I found myself staring into the familiar face from my high school days-Grayson Blake.