Chapter 1/
A year later, he became a box office king with over a billion in earnings. At the award ceremony, on the stage, he got down on one knee and proposed to his leading lady.”
A reporter asked him, “Now that you’ve built your career and your romantic life is thriving, who are you most grateful to?“>
He smiled, bright and cocky, and looked straight into the camera as he answered the question.
“My deepest thanks go to my former manager. If you hadn’t dumped me, I wouldn’t have pushed myself so hard. Thanks to that breakup, I was able to play such a great role.}
“So here’s to you–hope your life sucks forever.”
The reporter’s face stiffened as she handed him a tablet showing the day’s trending headline.
[#GraydenGraves ExManagerFinal3YearsVlog]>
Grayden’s smile froze.
The vlog chronicled the final years of my life, battling ALS–after I broke up with him.
“Who paid for that trending headline?“}
Grayden Graves instinctively masked his emotions, putting on a half–laughing, half–helpless expression for the camera.
“Come on, it’s obviously fake, right? Sure, I hated Shirl back then and maybe even wished she’d disappear. But curse her to die? That’s way too far.“E
He thought it was his rival trying to sabotage him at the worst possible moment.
But the reporter said nothing and simply handed him the tablet.
And there, on the screen, was my face, looking a little stiff and awkward.
I was sitting by the window, soft light pouring in through the sheer curtains.
*Hi, I’m Shirl Osbourne,” I said softly. My voice was a bit hoarse, but I didn’t bother to re–record.
“This is my 18th take. I deleted the first 17–they were too heavy, too dramatic. Like I was writing my will. That’s not what I want this to be. “What was I gonna say? Oh, right–I broke up with him today.“0
I stared at the camera for a few seconds, and then I smiled faintly.
“I was the one who ended it.
1 told him I was tired, that I couldn’t keep doing this, and that I didn’t wanna keep chasing dreams with him in Hollywood.
“But honestly… I just didn’t want him to see me like this, getting worse and worse.“}
My hand twitched slightly on the table, my fingers barely obeying me anymore. My hand shook badly as I lifted a glass of water. I took a sip, and the glass hit my teeth with a clink.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “See? Like this–how could I still be his manager?}
“I can’t even hold a cup properly. How am I supposed to help him land gigs, revise scripts, and run lines? He’s an actor–he’s meant to be in the spotlight. I… I’d just drag him down.“/
Outside the window, the wind stirred the curtains gently.”
“Of course, I wanted to leave him with something a little more dignified to remember.
“God, I really wanted to stay with him. Forever. But I can’t.”
“The doctor said… it’s ALS. And my first thought was–‘Well, at least it’s not contagious.”
I lowered my head and chuckled.%
“I don’t know how long I’ll be able to speak. Pretty soon, maybe all I’ll have is blinking to say yes or no.
“Grayden’s got too much on his plate. He deserves… a better life.”
I paused for a moment, and then I pulled the camera a little closer. My face had thinned. My skin was still pale and smooth, but no amount of makeup could hide the blue shadows under my eyes./
“Actually, I’m really glad I got to be with when things were the hardest for him.”
“When he failed the audition, the crew disappeared, and he didn’t even have enough in his account to cover rent. I helped him chase down casting calls. I helped him memorize his 300–word self–introduction. I stayed up all night rewriting scenes when he hit a block in his acting.
“He crashed on the couch while I sat on the balcony writing proposals until morning.”
I’m not saying this to take credit. I just really wanted to say-
“I never once regretted being with Grayden.
“Not even now.”
I looked up at the camera, my voice barely above a whisper, like speaking in a dream.
“I just… wanted to leave a little earlier.
“So maybe, if he hates me, it’ll help him move on faster.“%
