PAYING HER WITH HIS BODY

　　The only relief Cecilia could find amidst the scorching weather was the prospect of quenching her thirst with a cold drink waiting in the deep freezer nearby.

　　However, the day's heat only seemed to compound Cecilia's discomfort as she struggled under the weight of her oversized historical gown and the fake pregnancy strapped to her belly for the upcoming scene.

　　Although Cecilia's role in the play was minor, it required her to portray a pregnant woman in two scenes throughout the day.

　　As Cecilia made her way towards the deep freezer, eager for a refreshing beverage, her hand was halted by another.

　　"Hey... hey sister, this deep freezer is reserved for the main roles, for celebrities, not for extras like you," her sister gently admonished.

　　At her sister's remark, Cecilia's enthusiasm for the drink diminished, and she graciously stepped aside, acknowledging her sister's entitlement.

　　And who could blame her? After all, her sister was Carina. Carina Carter, the famed actress from California, commanded both respect and admiration. For Cecilia, an aspiring actress without influential connections, the chance to share the screen with her stepsister, the illustrious Carina Carter, was indeed a stroke of luck.

　　While Carina enjoyed her chilled water under the shade provided by her attentive assistant, Cecilia seethed with anger as she watched her sister gulp down the refreshing liquid.

　　Inviting Cecilia to join her in the shade, Carina's tone carried a hint of superiority and arrogance, "Have you finally accepted that I can easily ruin you at any time, Cecilia? Or do you want to prolong your agony?"

　　Cecilia's gaze bore into her sister with a mixture of resentment and disdain, but she remained silent, opting instead to let out a frustrated hiss. Before she could retreat, Carina's grasp held her in place.

　　"Hey, planning to confront Nathaniel about your grievances? Did you expect him to spare time for your complaints? He's clearly enjoying the company of those beautiful actresses, did you think he'll make time for you?" Carina taunted.

　　"Carina!" Cecilia erupted in frustration, her voice tinged with anger, while Carina chuckled derisively. Cecilia continued, her words laced with determination, "You just wait and see." With that, she stormed off angrily to the hall.

　　Unbeknownst to Carina, the same movie also featured Nathaniel Jones as an actor, a fact that stirred Cecilia's heart, as she harbored deep-seated feelings for him that had their roots in their childhood friendship.

　　Their connection had evolved into a budding romance during their post-middle school years, fueled by Nathaniel's playful flirtations. Despite Cecilia's realization of the inherent challenges in their relationship, Nathaniel's gestures hinted at affection, albeit silently, leaving Cecilia holding onto the hope that he shared her sentiments, despite never explicitly expressing them.

　　As Cecilia stormed into the hall, her gaze locked onto Nathaniel, who was surrounded by a throng of girls, including some fellow cast members and notable celebrities like Carina.

　　Before she could approach him, Carina swooped in, theatrically stumbling to the ground to draw attention to herself. Nathaniel rushed to her aid, scooping her up in a bridal-style embrace and escorting her back to her seat. A smug smirk danced on Carina's lips as Nathaniel tended to her, leaving Cecilia standing there, her heart sinking with disappointment and frustration.

　　Watching Nathaniel care for Carina's wound ignited a pang of jealousy within Cecilia. Determined to assert herself, she prepared to play her trump card, but her plans faltered when she stumbled.

　　Tears welling in her eyes, Cecilia confessed, "I fell down, Nathaniel."

　　With a playful glint in his eye, Nathaniel retorted, "Call the manager to take care of you," eliciting laughter from the onlookers.

　　Shame engulfed Cecilia as she rose to her feet and silently made her exit from the hall. The shooting resumed shortly thereafter, but when Cecilia's turn came, a wave of laughter erupted from the spectators and crew.

　　"She's just trying to get Nathaniel's attention," one of the girls remarked loudly, earning a sharp glare from Cecilia.

　　After the shoot concluded, Cecilia hailed a taxi, eager to distance herself from the chaos of the set. As she waited, her attention was caught by the arrival of a striking red sports car pulling up beside her.

　　Startled, Cecilia stepped back as the car screeched to a halt. Her heart raced in her chest as she regained her composure, only to be surprised by the sight of a woman clad in a tight white dress emerging from the vehicle. It was none other than her sister, Carina Carter.

　　"You again, Carina?" Cecilia questioned, her irritation evident in her tone. "What's the meaning of this? Are you still playing games after your fake fall earlier today?"

　　Carina responded with a playful quip, brushing off the seriousness of the situation. Cecilia chose to remain silent, intending to leave, but Carina obstructed her path once more. Just then, Nathaniel appeared, further complicating the encounter.

　　"Weren't you injured earlier?" Nathaniel inquired, his concern directed towards Carina. Seizing the opportunity, Carina feigned distress, accusing Cecilia of pushing her. Nathaniel rushed to Carina's aid, scooping her up in his arms and escorting her to the car before turning his attention back to Cecilia.

　　"Why are you always so mean to your sister? You're related, after all. And she's your senior in terms of work, you should respect her," Nathaniel chided, his curiosity evident.

　　Tears welled in Cecilia's eyes as she confronted him, "Are you still in love with me?"

　　Nathaniel's smirk shattered Cecilia's fragile hopes, and his cutting words left her utterly devastated. "Are we dating? I may have shown affection, but I never professed love, did I?"

　　Those words struck Cecilia like a cruel blow, her world crumbling around her as she struggled to make sense of his callous revelation. She questioned the sincerity behind his past gestures of kindness and care, grappling with the realization that their closeness had been nothing more than a facade.

　　"Cecilia, are you that naive? I used you to get closer to Carina since you both lived together," Nathaniel confessed without a hint of remorse. "See you at the shoot tomorrow. Oh, and Happy birthday! We might not see each other, so consider this an early greeting."

　　With that heartless admission, Nathaniel nonchalantly joined Carina in the car, leaving Cecilia shattered and alone. She collapsed to her knees, overwhelmed by a torrent of betrayal and heartbreak, as darkness enveloped her consciousness.