He Called Me Needy, Then Lost

reer to be the invisible woman behi

ream, openly flirting with his co-star, Alana, wh

able" and "unworthy." When I begged him for help, h

te, he held a press conference, fiercely

inst injustice for another woman. I realized he wasn't in

bags, blocked his number, and booked a one-way ticket

pte

y Gla

him flirt with Alana on a livestream that was supposed to be our

visible woman behind the rising star. Tonight, the TV was supposed to be showing our favorite rom-com,

was our anniversary. Not th

and August Carter: The Chemistry You Can't Ignore!" The headline screamed, mocking me. I

re was August, sitting way too close, laughing at something she'd said. The comments section exploded with heart

d by expertly styled hair, leaned in. His hand, the same hand that had held mine through countless r

ugust's girlfriend again? Some graphic designer? So forgettable." "She's Hollywood's most forgettable girlfriend

lana batted her eyelashes. August chuckled, a deep, resonant sound that on

stry bigwig. But August, who usually ignored his own phone during "import

the phone. Not even "Alana, this is your phone."

side jokes and veiled compliments. He was so attenti

gner with big dreams. I' d given up my own career, poured every spare cent into his acting classes, his headshots, his rent. Every rejection he faced, I

e I sat alone, watching my life unravel on a screen. The realization hit me like

smile at August, who was beaming back. That was it. The la

ardened inside me.

smelled faintly of airport and something sweet – Alana' s per

ked, my voice flat,

y are you still up?" His tone was edged with irritati

ignited in my chest. "It'

his forehead. "Look, Bailey, not tonight. I'm wip

evel. "You were just on a live stream, practically proposing

at was work. It's called chemistry, Bailey.

cting' excuses for emotional neglect. I've watched you prioritize everyone and everything over me, and when I finally ask for some basic respect, I'm 'needy'?" My voice

u shouldn't take it so seriously." He ran a hand through his hair, agitated. "And you kn

flying out to one of his sets, a surprise visit, hoping to lift his spirits after a particular

Cut!" and he stormed off, still in character. I shyly approached him, tin in h

You know I have a big emotional scene co

low and dangerous. "Are you trying to sabotage me?" Then, with a sudden, furious gesture, he snatched the tin of cookies from my hand and flung it again

l raw. And now, he

oice quiet but firm. "I'm done w

tic, Bailey. You always do this." He stalked towards me, his hand reaching out. "You're ju

ind raced. This wasn't love. It was habit. It was

g none of the tremor in my hands. "I saw how you looked at Alana.

ng, Bailey! That's what I do! You're bei

I just don't want a partner who can't tell the difference betw

e, a flicker of something I couldn't quite decip

uldn't you bother to be here for our anniversary? Because you were too busy p

No, August. Just stop. I'm done. I'm really, truly