Chapter 6

Reunion – I Miss You

After that, Jennifer slept beside her little daughter as she did every night until morning came. She woke up very early because she had another film casting audition to attend. She dressed neatly and quickly headed towards Sterling Entertainment.

Jennifer Jones now stood before the building. She stepped into the lift, which took her straight to the top floor of Sterling Entertainment — a floor reserved only for executives and for one man who had haunted her nightmares for the past seven years: Julian Sterling.

Now, they were in the same place once more, though Cassie had become Jennifer.

"Miss Jones, Mr Sterling would like to see you before the final contract," Julian's personal assistant said politely.

Jennifer straightened her shoulders and began walking down the long corridor lined with glass panels. Each step echoed softly, like the ticking of a clock reminding her that the past never truly dies — it merely waits to be awakened.

When the door opened, the familiar scent of Julian's cologne filled the air — masculine, luxurious, and dangerous; the same fragrance that had once lingered on Cassie Vance's skin like a mark of every wound he'd left behind.

Julian stood behind his large desk, dressed in a tailored black suit that framed his tall, commanding figure. His eyes followed Jennifer, tracing every detail of her face.

"Jennifer Jones," Julian said.

His voice was calm, but there was a strange tremor beneath it — a mixture of curiosity and... nostalgia.

"Thank you for seeing me, Mr Sterling. It's an honour to be part of this film project," Jennifer replied.

"I rarely take on new actresses, let alone invite one into my office. But there's something about you that... caught my attention."

Jennifer held her breath for a moment. His words were like honey-coated blades — sweet, yet deadly. Of course, she remembered twelve years ago, the day she first met the man before her.

"I'm sorry, what do you mean, sir?"

Julian stepped closer — not too close, but enough for the air between them to grow heavy.

"I don't know why, but your voice... the way you look at me..." He paused, his gaze piercing hers. "I feel as if I've known you before."

Jennifer smiled faintly, concealing the wound behind her graceful composure.

"Perhaps it's just a coincidence, sir. Feelings can be deceiving. The world is small, but surely there are countless women you've met. Maybe I simply remind you of someone from your memories."

Julian fell silent. Something stirred in his chest — a buried emotion tied to the name he thought he had buried long ago: Cassie Vance.

"Perhaps it's just a coincidence," he muttered. "Go on then. I've chosen you for this film, so don't disappoint me. If you succeed, you'll become a shining star."

"I'll do my very best, sir. Becoming a star has always been my dream," Jennifer replied.

After that meeting, Julian couldn't rest. In his office, he stared at an old photograph on his desk: Cassie smiling on stage as she received her award seven years ago.

"Her face is different, but those eyes... that same gaze. Cassie is dead," he whispered to himself. "But why do I still see her shadow in this new actress?"

Julian closed his eyes, trying to suppress the guilt that still haunted him. But instead, he saw Cassie crying that night, her voice breaking:

"You'll regret this, Julian. One day, I'll make you feel the pain you've given me."

Julian's eyes snapped open. "Damn it. Why can't I forget you, Cassie?"

With his tall, imposing frame, he rose and walked towards the wide window overlooking the city. Yet far below, in the same world he once ruled, Cassie had returned — in a form he no longer recognised.

That night, Jennifer returned to her apartment. She opened the door to her daughter's room and sat at the edge of the bed. The little girl's face was calm and soft, her lips shaped in a way that reminded Jennifer of someone.

"He must never know who you truly are," she whispered gently, brushing her daughter's hair. "I promise, my love — you will never live in Julian's shadow."

As Jennifer turned to leave, a shadow appeared at the doorway. Ricard Cross stepped into the room.

"Your daughter looks exactly like you when you were little," he said quietly, leaning against the doorframe.

"Don't start, Ricard. You never knew me as a child."

"I just want you both to be safe. Keep hiding your daughter, because if Elena ever finds out she's Julian's real child, you know what will happen," Ricard warned.

Jennifer walked to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of red wine.

"Safe? There's no such thing as 'safe' as long as Julian Sterling is alive. As long as Elena remains his beloved wife."

"You had your chance, Jenn. You could have started a new life, far away from Los Angeles. But you chose to come back to this hell."

Jennifer took a sip of her wine, then looked at him sharply.

"Because I'm not finished."

"I came back to chase my dream again — to be a star like before. But I also came back for revenge. You know that. I want to destroy the people who destroyed me."

"One day, Julian will find out who you really are. And when that moment comes, you may not even have time to take your revenge. Maybe you still love him. When he kneels before you, begging for forgiveness, your heart will soften and you'll go back to him."

"Shut up! That will never happen. I'll make him suffer. I'll make him beg for my forgiveness."

"You're dangerous, Jennifer."

"I'm not the dangerous one," she said coldly, staring at the crimson wine in her glass. "The danger lies in the wounds he gave me seven years ago. That's his sin to bear."

The next day, the film's reading session began. Julian attended in person, sitting in the producer's chair, his eyes following Jennifer's every move.

Every time she spoke — every tone, every glance — it only convinced him further. Cassie might be gone, but her soul... was standing right before him.

"Cut," said the director. "Jennifer, your expression was incredible. You truly captured that sense of loss."

Julian said nothing. He just stared at her from across the room, then spoke softly,

"How do you know what it feels like to lose someone you love?"

Jennifer turned slowly. Their eyes met — and time seemed to stop.

"I don't know," she said gently. "But I do know what it feels like to lose yourself for someone who never cared."

Her words took Julian's breath away. Without realising it, he pulled Jennifer into his arms.

"I've missed you, Cassie."

"Sir... please, let me go."