Chased By My Billionaire Ex-husband

Claire’s POV

"See? Told you!" The girl gloated, shoving the phone even closer. "If Zaniel said it, it must be true. They have been keeping it quiet for years, but now it’s out in the open."

"That doesn’t prove anything!" Sissy gritted her teeth as her cheeks flushed with irritation. "Just because he said she is important doesn’t mean they are in a relationship! He could have meant anything! Or about someone else! Did she mention her specifically!?"

"Exactly," I muttered under my breath, though I made sure no one could hear me!"

But the damage was done. The gossip had spread yet again, and now everyone in the room was buzzing with speculation about Evander and Susan. I tried to focus on my script again, but my thoughts were spinning.

If this was Susan’s doing, she had just tangled me and Evander into another web of her lies. And if it wasn’t...

No. I refused to believe it. Evander wouldn’t do something like this. Would he?

He had explained everything to me, begged me to trust him, and asked me to have faith in him. But how could I? He and the people surrounding him kept giving me reasons to doubt him. How much faith could someone have when they were constantly tested in such a brutal way?

"Miss Claire Reed," a staff member called out, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts. "It will be your turn soon. Please be prepared!"

"Ah, yes!" I replied as I quickly rose to my feet and forced a small smile.

I glanced around the room and let out a breath of relief when I realized Susan was not around in the same room as me. The last thing I needed was for her to cause a scene right here. I didn’t mind having another face-off with her; it wasn’t like I hadn’t handled her before— but right now, I couldn’t afford the headache or the distraction.

"Gurl!" Sissy grabbed my hand; her grip was firm as she leaned closer. "Don’t let those gossips hurt you or get to you! Focus on your audition. Do your best, or we will be broke by the end of the month."

I blinked at her, caught off guard by her blunt honesty.

Did she have to remind me how poor we were?

"What are you talking about?" I whispered sharply, trying not to draw attention. "Nothing affects me about him anymore! I have made it this far after going through so much, not to let him hurt me again."

The words that came out of my mouth were more powerful than I expected, but deep down, they felt like just an excuse.

In reality, my heart ached, betraying everything that I had been trying to believe. No matter how much I told myself I didn’t care, my thoughts kept drifting to all the previous rumors.

Rumors that had felt like little daggers, which stabbed me little by little, bleeding me to the point that no blood was left in my body.

It didn’t matter whether they were true or made up—Evander had let them circulate. He could have shut them down and could have put an end to all the speculation. But instead, he had stayed silent, letting the media twist the story however they pleased.

"Good!" Sissy patted my shoulder, snapping me back to reality. "You shouldn’t care about that man anymore. He is not worth it!"

I nodded weakly, pretending her words had given me strength.

But as I stood there, clutching my script tightly, I realized something. I wasn’t just battling for this role today. I was battling with myself— the masochistic love I had for Evander.

No matter how hurt I was, just a few words from him and boom—all my resolve, everything I had built over the years, would start to crumble. I hated how much power he still had over me, even when I swore I was done with him.

"Please go inside, Miss Reed. It’s your turn!" The staff member informed me, interrupting my thoughts.

I took a deep breath as I clutched the script tightly in my hands. Focus, Claire, I told myself. This audition was my chance to restart, to prove to myself that I could stand on my own two feet.

The role was really simple. I was auditioning for a side character whose presence helped to bring the male and female leads together. It wasn’t a lead role or even close to it, but it was important enough to be noticed. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

I knew it wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing. After everything, I was starting over, and I understood how harsh people in this industry could be. They wouldn’t accept me just because I had done minor roles here and there. I had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously again.

As I walked toward the audition room, thoughts rushed through my mind. I was so stupid. All this time, I had been so cautious and went to great lengths to keep a low profile, trying to ensure Evander wouldn’t find me.

But what had it all been for?

In the end, I was always right in front of his eyes— whether through gossip, rumors, or circumstances. It felt like no matter what I did, I couldn’t escape his shadow.

And the worst part? I hadn’t made any progress. Not with my career. Not with my life. Not with moving on from him.

I paused at the door as I inhaled deeply to calm my nerves. I must win this and take a step ahead in life! I didn’t care about my personal life anymore! As long as I would be able to step forward in my professional life.

With that thought, I straightened my back, pushed the door open, and stepped inside, determined to give it my all, but the moment my eyes fell on the judges’ panel, my jaw dropped.

What the hell did I just see!?

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