Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Rosita deliberately played the damsel in distress, hoping to trigger Bill's protective instincts.

This trick had always worked for her in the past.

But today, with Bill, she hit a wall.

Bill, a seasoned agent, lived by his own set of rules. Rosita's behavior had crossed a line for him.

He snapped, "Something this big, why didn't you talk to me first?"

Rosita froze, stunned that her vulnerability had absolutely no effect on him.

Unconvinced, she furrowed her brow and let her voice tremble. "Bill..."

"Save it!" Bill put one hand on his hip and jabbed a finger at her. "You could call me 'Daddy' and it still wouldn't work! Listen up-this kind of thing is strictly off- limits with me!"

Rosita hadn't expected this at all.

But Bill was unfazed and immovable, and she realized that her usual ploys weren't going to work with him.

Her expression darkened, her voice turning cold. "Well, I didn't expect you to sign me up for this show, either. Did you discuss it with me before making the decision?"

"I'm your agent," Bill retorted. "Every decision I make is for your own good. Besides, the big boss pulled strings to get you this spot-there are people fighting tooth and nail for this, and you still think you get to choose?"

Rosita was growing impatient. "Even if it's a rare opportunity, it's over now. I have to drop out!"

"Drop out? Absolutely not." Bill's tone was firm. "Mary's already thrown herself into the competition, and you want to quit?"

Mary...

Rosita remembered Mary's blatant provocations the night before, and bitterness flared in her chest.

She raised a hand to her temple. "So what do you want me to do?"

Bill stroked his chin. "You've already fainted once-why not take it further?"

Rosita frowned. "What do you mean?"

your hand were injured, they'd have no choice

I fake an

be real enough that the crew's medic gets called in. Otherwise,

feet. "You want

have a better

her

that young anymore. Actresses have a short shelf life— you're thirty-one, and after thirty-five, the roles dry up.

jaw, but finally

next morning, filming

gathered downstairs on time-except for Rosita, who

director asked Don to check

Don reached the door, Rosita

hand was

Everyone stared, stunned.

"Ms. Lockwood, what happened?"

to mouth. "Your whole right hand is bandaged! Is it serious? How

and took a nasty fall." Rosita

Tony said with concern. "What did the doctor

Rosita replied. "A few stitches in the palm,

sympathy. "It was twelve! I saw the doctor stitching her up-the gash

show, she should've gone to the

The room went silent.

at Rosita, her tone

her

blinked innocently, her expression sweet but her eyes sparking with

pressed her lips together,

been provoking her,

felt a ripple of anger and

daring to challenge

ever, she needed to keep

image.

forced herself to look away and

and Ferdinand exchanged a