The Ex's Revenge: Escaping the Hollywood Alpha Novel

When I handed my resignation letter to Amanda, she didn't sign it immediately."Setting aside your personal issues with Carter, the entire agency recognizes your exceptional PR and operations abilities.Do you know how many top-tier teams want to poach you for a head of PR position? If this is just about Carter, I can transfer you to another A-list client's team."I was momentarily stunned.So over the past ten years, my love for him had somehow crystallized into professional skills on my resume.Amanda could see my exhaustion. "I won't approve this yet. Take a month's sabbatical. Give me your final answer when you come back."Back at my apartment, I took melatonin and slept for what felt like days. When I woke up, it was already the next evening.Out of habit, I opened Instagram. The first thing I saw was Hailey's latest story."First time attending a Vanity Fair party—totally lost. Lucky to have you personally helping me choose a dress.I used to just work behind the scenes, but now I see how mesmerizing the spotlight can be. Hope someday I can truly keep up with your pace."The photo showed her alone in a hotel corridor.But in the reflection of the glass behind her, you could clearly see a tall, imposing silhouette.That subtle territorial marking, that naked aspiration—and that black Tom Ford suit was exactly the one I'd laid out for him yesterday.My iPhone chimed with a message."I wore it. Are you satisfied now?"Attached was a selfie of him in a dressing room mirror.Nearly twenty-four hours had passed, and he still thought this was all about whether he wore an outfit or not.I scrolled through the PR schedule I'd mapped out for his next few months.Every perfectly edited red carpet photo, every carefully crafted tweet, even the precise posting times down to the minute.For ten years, he'd never deviated from the perfect image I'd constructed for him.But he'd strayed far from my life's trajectory long ago.I blocked his number and permanently deleted all backup files with his name from my cloud storage.The next day, I drove back to my grandmother's house in Pasadena. The old woman was startled when she saw me."Good lord, you're skin and bones! Didn't you say you were making good money in Hollywood? Can't even afford to eat now?"Grandmother touched my face tenderly."Where's Carter? Why didn't he come with you? Doesn't he care that you're not eating properly? I saw him on TV recently looking like a plastic Kennedy doll!"I glanced at the living room TV, which was showing his new HBO series.I didn't bother explaining how cameras add weight.Carter actually had very low body fat, but now there were younger people taking care of his organic diet—no need for me to worry about that anymore.I leaned into my grandmother's embrace. "I'm hungry. I want your tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches."After wolfing down three sandwiches, I got to the point. "I'm probably going broke, Mrs. Higgins. You'll have to take me in."Grandmother didn't even pause in clearing the dishes."I'd be delighted. But you can't sit still, that's your problem. Besides, how many days can you really stay away from Carter?Just like your mother with all her romantic fantasies—hopeless."I hugged her slightly hunched shoulders from behind."Grandma, it skipped a generation. I'm nothing like her." I said seriously. "Between Carter and myself, I know who matters more. I want to take a vacation on the East Coast. Want to come with me?"Grandmother froze for a moment, then gently elbowed me away."Go on, wipe that tomato sauce off your mouth." Though her words were gruff, I knew she was smiling.Just then, my phone's Ring doorbell alert chimed.The security footage clearly showed Hailey's face."What is it? Amanda nagging you again?" Grandmother waved dismissively, accustomed to these interruptions. "Go handle it.Next time call ahead so I can buy fresh ingredients at the farmers market... Actually, forget it. In your line of work, there's no such thing as 'advance notice.'"I suddenly realized that for years, because of work, because of Carter, I'd lived in a constant state of being on call, always rushing.I walked to the foyer, then turned back.Grandmother was indeed still watching from the kitchen doorway. Caught in the act, she immediately pretended to wipe the counter.People who truly care about you can't hide that concern.