Chapter 8
Only then did Finn realize the man standing before him, Archie, was no actor I had hired but the eldest grandson of the powerful Westbrook family, a dynasty rooted in real estate.
Archie’s parents had long abandoned business, dedicating themselves fully to medicine as leading kidney transplant surgeons. The Westbrooks had few heirs, and Archie was their only son, the sole heir destined to inherit the family empire.
In both wealth and influence, Archie far outshone Finn by several leagues.
“Faith, don’t go,” Finn pleaded desperately.
Without even glancing back, Archie’s voice cut through coldly.
“Finn, the only reason I didn’t crush you years ago was for my wife’s sake. I didn’t want to burden her with that foolish profit–sharing deal.” “But if you don’t return to Dallas soon, you’ll lose everything.”
Finn acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing, his long legs closing the distance with urgency.”
“Faith, please, let’s talk. Don’t marry him. I lied.”§
“I’m not marrying Darcie. I made it all up.“}
“The wedding dress was tailored just for you. Darcie put it on herself. I only held back from scolding her because I thought she was dying.”
truly love you.”
Before he could finish, Archie’s fist crashed into Finn’s face.
I had never seen Archie this furious.
“That punch is for forcing Faith to donate blood right after her miscarriage.“}
Another blow followed.
“This one’s for letting people brand her a homewrecker, for letting millions of strangers insult her and her family.”
Blood dripped down Finn’s face, but Archie wasn’t done.
“This punch is for dismissing seven years of her love with a pitiful ten million dollars.“}
“Finn, your so–called love means nothing.”}
And with that, Archie took me away.
I didn’t glance back at Finn
even once.
The next day, the headlines exploded. [Finn Cuckolded: Darcie’s Baby Isn’t His. The Real Seven–Year Secret Girlfriend Was Faith.] But Finn never admitted a word.”
“Serves him right! People who betray true love deserve to swallow ten thousand needles!“}
“To all those who once praised ‘Queen Darcie, why so silent now?”
“What a tragedy Faith left the industry. Her role as the queen was unforgettable. She could’ve easily won Best Actress, but Darcie snatched it away. Now Faith has quit acting in anger. We may never see her on screen again.”
Everyone demanded that Darcie leave the entertainment world.”
Even the crocodile tears she shed at her press conference became a target of public ridicule.
She sprinted to the villa, desperate to plead with Finn.
But overwhelmed by the collapse of his company’s finances, Finn slapped her the moment she appeared.§
“This is all your fault! If it weren’t for you, my funding chain wouldn’t have broken!”
“You want me to take responsibility and marry you? Fine! Let’s get that marriage license!”
“Since Faith is already married, it doesn’t matter who I marry. Darcie, I’ll make your life a living hell until your last breath.”
Darcie looked like she’d seen a monster.
She tried to run, but Finn shattered both her legs and dragged her back.”
The ground was marred with long, dark trails of blood.
She had suffered a miscarriage.
Meanwhile, Archie and I were inside a jewelry store, carefully choosing wedding rings.
Just as we were about to leave, Archie said he would fetch the car.
I waited alone near the mall’s entrance.
“Faith.”
That familiar voice drifted from behind me, but I refused to look back. Instead, I bolted toward the parking lot.”
Finn appeared, circling around to block my path.”
In his hands, he held the wedding dress.
And standing beside him was my former agent.”
