Page 37 of Billionaire's Second Chance

“Ava,” now a female voice called out.

My heart sank. I moved a couple of steps forward.

“Ava Sage," the owner of the voice repeated.

“Hey, Lily.” My lips stretched as wide as they could to fake a smile. Lily didn’t return one. Her arms were folded on her chest, while her eyes shot me death glares.

“Did he sleep with you too?” She asked, not even trying to lower her voice.

I looked around. Where was my manager when I needed him?

“Who?” I feigned surprise.

“Come on! Really? Who do you think? Damon, of course!” She yelled.

A lump formed in my throat. How would I explain how I got the role? How would I tell her that I had unintentionally sunk her so I could float? Maybe I could start with an answer to her question.

“No, Lily. He didn't," I half-lied.

The truth was he had slept with me long before this role was even a thing.

“Don’t lie to me, Ava.” She pointed her bony finger at me. “We both know Damon would never give a role to someone he has not had sex with.”

Eyes turned in our direction. A group of guys was having a field day with our drama.

“Then explain how you got the role despite being rejected at the auditions,” Lily demanded.

The lump in my throat grew bigger. I opened my mouth, but Greg stepped up. “All good here?”

“No.” Lily shook her head and took a few steps back.

“We should leave, Ava.” Greg tugged at my arm.

I shook myself free. “I’m sorry, Lily.”

“Sorry?” She scoffed. “Are you sorry that you pretended to be a friend while you took my role and left me soaking my sheets at night or because you were warming his bed while I lost everything? Or to console me over the unbearable 'Slutcast' and 'DamonsDame' hashtags on the socials. What exactly are you sorry for, Ava?”

Tears pooled in my eyes. My actions had hurt her deeply.

“Let’s get out of here, Ava,” Greg pleaded.

Lily didn’t move an inch. Her eyes bore into mine. I watched her lips quiver in pain, not finding any more words.

I turned around and ran. Greg hurried after me. My eyes overflowed with tears when I arrived at the car. I was wicked. I was inhumane, I was selfish.

She didn’t deserve anything that happened to her. She didn’t deserve to lose her career and dream all at once.

Greg joined me in the car and patted my shoulders. “It’s okay, Ava. There’s no way you could have known things would turn out this way.”

Oh, but I did.

***

We drove in silence until we got to the studio and arrived on set early enough to avoid Sandy’s tirade.

Derek wasn’t so lucky. He had to listen to Sandy’s rage for three minutes while glancing over his shoulder to peek at me.

“He sure pissed Sandy off.” Damon’s voice crawled into my ear.

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