Chapter 7

Damian hadn't come home all night. Early that morning, Cecilia saw Yvette's new post on social media.

"This is someone's way of making it up to me. Hmph!"

The post featured a stunning set of luxury gemstone jewelry.

Cecilia zoomed in on the jewelry and finally made out the figures reflected in it. At a candlelit dinner, Yvette had her arms around Damian and was kissing his cheek with puckered lips.

Cecilia opened the comments from their mutual friends one by one.

"How sweet! When's the wedding?"

"Yvette, is this the boyfriend you've been keeping secret? He's rich and dotes on you. You're so lucky!"

"When are you going public?"

Yvette had replied, "Marriage? It'll depend on someone's performance."

Cecilia opened Yvette's profile and discovered that her cover photo showed her and Damian's shadows pressed close together.

She had been such a fool. For three whole years, she had never once questioned such an obvious clue.

Damian's call appeared on her screen. Her hand trembled as she answered.

"Don't be late for the awards ceremony. I've already given your dress and jewelry to Camila."

Just as he was about to hang up, Cecilia hurriedly asked, "I'll do what I promised. But Elliot…"

Damian was silent for a moment before replying flatly, "You'll see him after the ceremony."

Cecilia finally breathed a sigh of relief. Every day Elliot remained locked up, she had to live in constant fear.

This time, she would hide Elliot somewhere Damian could never find him.

…

When Cecilia arrived backstage at the awards ceremony, not a single celebrity greeted her. Everyone kept their distance and looked her up and down with open contempt.

"What do you think she's after? Mr. Lane is handsome and successful, yet she slept with Lester! She'll do anything to land a leading role."

"She must be great in bed. Otherwise, why would Mr. Lane refuse to divorce her?"

"She's already been disqualified for Best Actress. How does she still have the nerve to show up? Just the sight of her pisses me off!"

Cecilia tried to ignore the cruel remarks and headed for the dressing rooms.

But after searching the entire area, she couldn't find a place for herself, not even in the dressing rooms used by the most unknown actresses.

"Cecilia," Yvette said as she appeared in a full-skirted gown. "I saw an open spot by the trash can. You can do your makeup there."

With a smile on her lips, Yvette looked at Cecilia's worn-out appearance and leaned closer to whisper in her ear.

"After today, I'll be the only name anyone in the film industry cares about. It's time for you to step aside. Without a job, you're nothing but a beggar begging the Lane family for scraps."

She bumped into Cecilia's shoulder and laughed as she walked away, her laughter echoing down the hall.

With the Best Actress award almost within reach, Yvette no longer bothered to hide her true nature. Her face twisted with malice.

As the ceremony was about to begin, Cecilia watched the crowd head toward the stage and turned to Camila. "Give me the outfit. I'll change in the restroom."

Camila reluctantly handed her the bag.

Cecilia noticed Camila's strange expression but took the bag without thinking much of it.

When she opened it in the restroom, she discovered a bunny costume inside. It came with a high-cut thong that reached her waist and a fluffy white tail attached at the back.

With trembling hands, she emptied the rest of the bag. There were black stockings, a collar, and a pair of bunny ears.

Had Damian really prepared lingerie for her to wear at today's awards ceremony?

She called him, but it took him a long time to answer.

"You expect me to attend the ceremony dressed like this?"

Damian replied nonchalantly, "Cecilia, this is your punishment for hurting Yvette. When we got married, I told you I'd be endlessly patient with you. But there's one rule. Yvette is off-limits."

Cecilia remembered how Damian's eyes turned red-rimmed as he looked toward the audience while they exchanged wedding rings.

"Cecilia, from today on, you'll be my wife. I'll cherish you, love you, and always be patient with you. But Yvette is like a niece to me. I raised her myself. She's the one responsibility I'll never be able to walk away from and the one line I will never let anyone cross."

Back then, Cecilia had been touched by Damian's sense of duty. She nodded solemnly and promised to treat Yvette just as well as he did.

She had thought the tears Damian shed that day were for her. Now she knew they had been for Yvette, who sat below the stage.

Damian's voice pulled her back to the present.

"I hope this is the last time you hurt Yvette. Otherwise, I'll send Elliot somewhere even farther away."

He hung up heartlessly.

Cecilia stared at the clothes scattered across the floor, then pounded the floor with both fists.

She let out a furious scream. "Damian Lane, you fucking bastard!"