05
“Mr. Dean, are you sure you don’t want to take a look? If you choose not to claim the body, we’ll proceed with an
autopsy at the hospital. Also, the forensic doctor has initially determined… there’s a fetus.”
Shane’s phone rang with Harriet’s exclusive ringtone. He froze for a moment before answering.
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
“Take the body away. I don’t recognize it.”
The police filed the report, but the name on the tag wasn’t Lana Hatch.
It wasn’t Joann either.
Just Wuming–Nameless.
That’s fine. I’m just a wandering ghost now.
Shane glanced at the body beneath the white sheet, then turned and left.
8.58 AM
I fought for His Love but Remained Second Best
G
I don’t know if it was disbelief or indifference.
He once told me, as he placed an amulet in my hands-
“Joann, I want you to be healthy. I want you to be safe.”
Because on the day Harriet’s first movie–no, my first movie–wrapped, I slit my wrists in secret.
Back then, Harriet had yet to accept Shane’s pursuit.
And Shane… he cried. He begged me not to leave him.
He held me so tightly, so desperately. How could I refuse him?
I don’t know what others live for.
But for me, it was just this.
Just a little bit of care.
That was enough.
Now, my lifeless body lies cold on the operating table.
The scalpel moves, precise and unfeeling, cutting into my flesh.
Finally, they extract the child inside me.
And Shane? He left me behind.
Back on set, his world revolved around Harriet.
“Happy birthday. This is from me.”
Harriet lifted her hand, flashing a diamond ring on her middle finger.
It gleamed–like a star.
“I found this in your coat. I didn’t want to ruin the surprise, but after all these years… I owe you this chance. I accept your proposal, Shane.”
Joann, where are you?
Shane’s voice struck deep into my hollow heart.
I turned to look at him in shock.
Did I just hear his voice?
But no–he was kissing Harriet, his expression full of joy.
I must have imagined it.
He didn’t need me anymore.
Or maybe, he still did.
With the stand–in gone, Harriet had to film more scenes herself, and progress was painfully slow.
Her expressions were stiff, her lines constantly forgotten.
“Shane, that monologue is too long. I can’t remember it. Let’s just do voice–over–I’ll read the numbers instead.”
Shane agreed, but his brow furrowed tighter with each take.
Harriet once claimed she wanted to go abroad to hone her acting skills.
But in reality, she was just having fun.
Scandals followed her wherever she went, her rumored boyfriends changing like the seasons.
She barely knew anything about acting.
If it weren’t for the massive success of the film Shane and I worked on for three years, she never would’ve
returned to America.
Let alone claim it as her famous work.
“No.”
Harriet loaned toward the male lead avec filled with fake affertion
G
Q
$.58 AM
1 Fought To His Love but Remamed Second Beat
Harriet leaned toward the male lead, eyes filled with fake affection.
Shane’s voice cut through the set like a blade.
“What’s wrong, Shane? Isn’t this how the scene is supposed to go?”
“It doesn’t feel right. Let Joann take over this scene.”
Harriet covered her mouth and giggled.
“Shane, are you jealous? I’m a professional actress. I won’t fall for my co–star just because of a scene.”
The crew members working nearby exchanged glances before muttering among themselves.
“She must be joking. This is a blood feud confrontation, not some romance scene. My fatalistic lighting is
wasted.”
“Yeah. She hasn’t even stepped into the role. How could she fall for the character when she’s not even playing the character? My makeup for the heroine was pointless.”
