The Confrontation

Darla's pov

I could hear their voices as I approached the casting building.

"What about your uncle?" Melanie was saying, her voice getting flirtier. "Xavier Lorette? I've seen him in magazines. He's absolutely gorgeous."

I pressed myself against the wall around the corner, listening. Xavier Lorette. In my past life, I'd never paid attention to Richard's family connections. How foolish I'd been.

"Stay away from Xavier," Richard's voice turned sharp, jealous.

"Why? Is he single?" Melanie giggled.

"Melanie, I'm serious. Xavier is dangerous. He goes through women like tissues and throws them away when he's done. He's not someone you want to get involved with."

"Don't worry, baby. I prefer men I can actually control. Like you."

My stomach twisted. Even hearing it again, even knowing what I knew, part of me still couldn't believe how thoroughly they'd played me.

"You don't control me," Richard said, but he sounded pleased.

"Don't I?" Melanie's voice got softer, more calculating. "I got you to court my boring cousin, didn't I? I got you to play the perfect boyfriend while really being mine. And soon, when you guys get married, everything she inherited from Uncle will be ours."

I clenched my fists. In my past life, I'd never heard this conversation. I'd been late to the audition then, rushing because I'd spent the morning trying to get out.

"We have to be careful," Richard whispered. "The wedding is only three months away. If Darla suspects anything before then..."

"She won't. She's too trusting, too stupid to see what's right in front of her. Besides, once you guys are married and she has that little accident we've planned..."

My knees nearly gave out. Accident. They weren't just planning to steal from me - they were planning to kill me. Just like in my past life, except this time I was hearing their actual plan.

"Don't talk about that here," Richard hissed. "Someone might hear."

"Relax. Who's going to overhear us? Your precious fiancée is probably at home taking those vitamins you give her, keeping her nice and docile."

The "vitamins" that had kept me weak and compliant. I remembered how tired I'd always felt, how Richard would suggest I rest instead of going out.

I heard movement, probably them leaning in for a kiss. Time to make my entrance.

I stepped around the corner with my brightest smile. "Hey guys!"

They jumped apart like they'd been caught on fire. Richard went pale and Melanie looked ready to faint.

"Darla!" Melanie's voice cracked. "What are you doing here?"

"My audition, obviously." I tilted my head, keeping my expression innocent while my mind raced with everything I'd just learned. "Why? Shouldn't I be here?"

"No, of course you should," Richard said quickly. "Melanie was just nervous about her audition. I came to support her."

"How sweet of you." I looked between them, seeing them clearly for the first time. "You two seem really close. Almost like you're planning something together."

"We're just friends," Melanie stammered.

"Right. Friends." I let that hang in the air. "By the way, Mel, I had an interesting morning. Had to fire Maria and Sandra."

"What? Why?"

"They were being disrespectful. Something about you telling them to keep me from leaving the house?" I kept my voice light, curious. "That seemed odd. Why would you think you had the right to give my staff orders?"

Melanie's face flushed red. "I just thought you seemed tired yesterday. You should rest instead of rushing to auditions."

"How thoughtful." My smile never wavered. "But I feel amazing today. Better than I have in years. In fact, I've been thinking about making some changes in my life."

Both of them went rigid.

"What changes?" Richard's voice was carefully neutral.

"Well, I realize I should probably update my beneficiaries. Make sure everything goes to the right people if something were to happen to me." I paused meaningfully. "You know, in case of an accident or something."

The color drained from Melanie's face completely.

"That's very... responsible of you," Richard managed.

"Isn't it? I'm thinking of setting up a trust. Something that can't be touched by anyone except me, with very specific instructions about who gets what if I die." I looked directly at him. "Of course, I plan to live a very long, very careful life."

"Darla, you're acting strange," Melanie said.

"Am I? I feel like myself for the first time in forever." I turned to her. "We're both auditioning today, right?"

"Yes, but..."

"May the best actress win." I held out my hand. "Fair competition?"

Melanie stared at my hand like it might attack her. "Of course."

She shook it, and I squeezed just hard enough to make my point, watching her eyes widen with fear.

"Good. Because I'm feeling really confident about this audition. More confident than I've felt about anything in a long time. It's amazing what clarity can do for a person."

"That's... great," Richard said, looking anything but pleased.

"Isn't it?" I checked my watch. "I should get ready. Good luck, Mel. You'll need it."

I started walking away, then turned back.

"Oh, and Melanie? Next time you want to give the staff instructions about me, remember– it's my house. My staff and I protect what's mine."

Melanie's face went crimson. "I was trying to help..."

"I know exactly what you were trying to do. The question is, do you know what I'm going to do about it?"

I left them standing there, and I could practically feel their fear behind me. Good. Let them worry about what I know and what I might do next.

Inside the building, I signed in and took a seat in the waiting area. Other actresses sat around me, some rehearsing lines, others just looking nervous. I felt calm for the first time in... well, ten years.

In my past life, I'd been so anxious during auditions, always second-guessing myself. But now I knew something they didn't - I had nothing left to lose and everything to gain.

My phone buzzed. A text from Richard: "Hope your audition goes well. Love you."

I almost laughed. He was probably hoping I'd fail so Melanie could get the role. In my past life, that's exactly what had happened. Melanie got the part that launched her career, while I faded into the background.

Not this time. This time, I was going to destroy them first.

"Darla Morrison?" A woman with a clipboard called my name.

"That's me."

I stood up, grabbing my purse, and started walking toward the audition room. This was it. My second chance to change everything, and this time I knew exactly what I was fighting for.

I was so focused on my thoughts that I didn't see the man coming around the corner until we collided. My purse went flying, spilling its contents across the polished floor.

"I'm so sorry," I said, immediately dropping to gather my things. "I wasn't watching where I was going."

"Neither was I."

The voice was deep, smooth. I looked up and felt my breath catch.

The man crouched beside me, helping collect my scattered belongings, was absolutely gorgeous. Tall, dark hair, wearing an expensive suit that fit him perfectly. But it was his eyes that made me pause - dark, intense, like they could see right through you.

"Thank you," I managed, accepting my lipstick from his outstretched hand. Our fingers brushed for just a second, and I felt an unexpected jolt of electricity.

He stood and offered me his hand to help me up. "Are you here for the auditions?"

"Yeah, I am." I took his hand, trying to ignore how warm and strong it felt. "You?"

"Business meeting." He smiled, and it transformed his entire face. "Break a leg in there."

"Thanks." I clutched my purse, suddenly feeling flustered.

He started to walk away, then paused and looked back. "You know, you look familiar. Have we met before?"

"I don't think so," I said. "I'm pretty sure I'd remember."

"Yeah," he said softly, his eyes holding mine for a moment longer than necessary. "So would I."

And then he was gone, disappearing around the corner, leaving me standing there with my heart beating just a little too fast.

I shook my head, trying to focus. I had an audition to nail and a life to reclaim.