After I Left, I Became A Top Star

The audience broke into loud applause as Vivian Kane stepped up to the stage, the stones in her silver Grey dress catching the glints of the spotlights. 

“And she does it… again.” Laurie Ann whispered beneath her breath as her palms stung from clapping so hard. 

That's my godmother up there alright… 

“Best actress in a leading role.” the announcer said once more, as if the crowd hadn't been screaming it. 

Laurie smiled weakly from backstage. She looked absent-mindedly at Ethan. He had eyes only for his phone screen as his fingers moved over it at lightening speed. 

She nudged him in the ribs. “Ethan… Focus.”

He mumbled something at her and moved away, still pressing away at his phone. 

Laurie-Ann sighed, ignoring the pit in her stomach. She couldn't say she was surprised by Ethan's behavior. He always ignored her. She wondered why she had thought tonight would be any different.

Vivian made her way backstage just then, and spotted Laurie. She hugged her. 

“You made it…” she cried out excitedly, crushing Laurie to herself.

“I… can't… breath, Aunt Viv.” Laurie struggled to say out of breath.

Vivian mumbled an apology and let go of her. 

“You are still looking too skinny.” She pointed out, inspecting Laurie with her eyes. 

Laurie shrugged innocently. “It's the new rage.”

Vivian pulled her along to the dressing room at the back. 

“Start talking.” she said with a more serious tone as soon as they were beside locked doors. 

“Huh… congrats?!” She tried to joke. 

“I don't see your husband… did you guys come together?” her godmother asked and Laurie nodded. 

“Yes.”

“Where is he? I didn't see him anywhere around you now that I think about it.” Vivian observed. 

Once more, Laurie shrugged. “Well… You know Ethan, always doing his thing, busy with his phone.”

Vivian dismissed Laurie's statement with a wave of her hand, and a narrowed gaze.

“Let me guess, marriage issues, isn't it?” she asked, her sharp eyes focused on Laurie. 

She never missed anything, Laurie-Ann had come to find out about her. She was her mother's best friend since they were kids, and she always remembered catching her and her brother in a lie even when her mom wouldn't.

Laurie started to deny it then she nodded her head, realizing it was pointless to lie. She would interrogate her, and eventually find out the truth anyway.

“The fool's still ignoring you, isn't he?” Vivian pressed further. 

Another nod and Vivian puffed. 

“I guess it's time I had a talk about common sense with that young man…. Meanwhile…”

She led Laurie to a seat, taking one herself. 

“I've got an offer for you. And don't say no until you have heard it.” Vivian informed her goddaughter. 

Laurie rolled her eyes, wondering if the woman ever gave up. She obediently kept quiet, giving the older lady a listening ear. 

“You know how I've always wanted you to go into acting because I knew you loved it?” she started. 

Laurie nodded, already guessing where the conversation was headed but she kept quiet. The woman took it as a sign to go on. 

“So there's this drama series coming up… and I've spoken to the director and all… Oh! Did I forget to mention I'm a favorite of his?” 

Laurie shook her head and her godmother went on. 

“Alright, so I told him I've got the perfect fit for his female lead character and after seeing your people he was chilled by it__”

“No…” Laurie interrupted her godmother. 

The woman pouted at her. “I'm not even done yet… You didn't even let me finish.”

“I already know what you want to say… I can't, I'm sorry.” 

“What's there to hold you back? It's going to do you some good.” Vivian wasn't giving up. 

“Viv… you won't understand… Ethan… I need us to try to make this work.” Laurie wasn't giving in either. In heart she wanted that role, but that would only add to the strain in her marriage that she was trying to fix. Her father had left her mother when she was only five, and it had destroyed her. She didn't want that.

Vivian held up her hands in surrender. “Alright. But don't just refuse. Still give it some thoughts. The offer still stands, and it's not one you want to miss. This could be your big break.”

Laurie muttered a word of thanks just as an older gentleman Laurie recognized as a senator claimed Vivian's attention. 

Laurie's phone buzzed in her handbag and she fished it out peering at the screen. 

It was a message from Ethan. 

Don't wait up… will be with the boys… 

The boys… right. 

Laurie knew it was an outright lie but there was nothing she could do about it. If space from her was what he needed then that was what she would give him.

Suddenly tired and feeling a bit light headed, she sought out Vivian who gave her a concerned look. 

“I'm heading off.” she informed Vivian. 

“Why? It's still too early.” Vivian protested. 

“I'm feeling a bit dizzy and lightheaded.” Laurie confessed. 

“Oh my! Did you drink one or those punches, they are stronger than they taste?” Vivian asked, alarmed. 

Before Laurie could respond she already had her by the wrist, dragging her out the building to her drivers. 

“Take her to my house. Be careful with her and make sure she arrives safely.” she instructed. 

Laurie protested. “But… Ethan.”

“Shhh… Give me your phone.” Vivian demanded, holding out her hand for the phone. 

Laurie handed it over reflexively, watching idly as Vivian quickly typed a message. 

“There. I've texted him.” She handed back the phone to Laurie. 

Laurie peered at the screen. The message was straight and precise… and so unlike her. 

I'm sleeping over at Viv. 

She got into the car without further protest, her mind absently wondering what Ethan was really up. 

****

She peeped out the window to be sure the coast was clear before sneaking out of the house and walking out the gate. 

She hailed a taxi and gave her address, preferring to be in her home than at her godmother. She also needed to prepare for both Ethan and her anniversary tomorrow.

She didn't even know why she was doing all this, after all, it was clear Ethan didn't love her. 

Just a couple of weeks ago, she had mistakenly stumbled upon a painful discovery and it explained Ethan's behaviour towards over the last couple of months.

He hadn't really been in love with her. She was more or less a substitute for the woman he really loved. 

According to the pictures she saw, the lady was a spitting image of her, only looking more classy with lots of makeup on. 

She had confronted him about it and he hadn't denied it. 

“It's true… You weren't the initial plan…” he had told her with an air of nonchalance like it didn't matter what she thought.

“That means you never loved me.” she had said back to him, her lips quivering.

“Who knows… maybe in time, I might actually come to love you.” was his response. 

Cut, and clear. He didn't even have the decency to deny it. 

Laurie’s heart beat against her ribs as the taxi slowed to a stop in front of her gate.

The lights were on. That was strange. She was sure she had turned off the lights when they left earlier. 

Something didn’t feel right.

A strange stillness clung to the air, the kind that made her skin prickle.

Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door and stepped inside.

The faint scent of cologne and perfume mixed in the air—Ethan’s… and someone else’s.

Her pulse quickened.

“Ethan?” she called softly. No answer.

Then she heard it, soft laughter coming from the living room. A woman’s laughter.

There he was. Ethan.

And in his arms, pressed close against him, was a woman Laurie recognized instantly.

Jane Liam.

The same Jane from the old photos. The same Jane who had left him years ago to chase her career.

The same Jane Laurie-Ann had been foolishly compared to.

For a second, she couldn’t breathe.

Jane’s lipstick smeared as Ethan broke the kiss, his eyes widening like a deer caught in headlights.

“Laurie—”

“Don’t,” Laurie-Ann interrupted sharply, her voice trembling. “Don’t you dare say a word.”

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Jane turned, a cruel smirk tugging at her painted lips. 

“Oh, it's only you.” She gave a small, mocking laugh. “Perfect timing.”

Laurie felt her knees threaten to give way, but she stood tall. 

 “What’s going on?” she demanded even though it was pretty clear what was going on. She at least wanted to be lied to at least once.

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, looking everywhere but at her. 

“It’s… not what you think.”

“Oh, really?” Laurie’s tone cracked, but she forced a bitter smile. “Because it looks exactly like what I think, Ethan. I guess this was what you meant by staying with the boys.”

Jane chuckled, stepping forward like she owned the place. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor.

“It’s exactly what it looks like, darling,” she said, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “I’m back. And I’ve come to take my man back, and my rightful place as his wife.