On the day I was supposed to get engaged to New York tycoon Gavin Sterling, my boyfriend died. Three years later, I stood on the podium, accepting the award for Best Actress. The host asked me, "Who is the love you dedicated this award to? Is it Mr. Sterling?" I smiled and shook my head. "His name was Xander. He left me three years ago." Facing countless flashing cameras, I spoke with serious, stubborn intent. "Xander, if you’re watching, come find me." The internet said I was crazy. Telling a dead man to come find me? Did I have a death wish? But I still hoped for one more miracle in this world. 1 "Xander, if you’re watching, come find me." After I said those words, the entire awards ceremony fell silent for a moment. Maybe the expression on my face was too intense, leaving the host scrambling for a way to respond. Finally, she let out a dry laugh. "Everyone knows our Best Actress, Sue, won for her role in Goodbye, My Lover. The male lead in that movie did indeed die young, a tragic ending." "It seems Sue is still deep in character, giving us an impromptu performance." "Truly effortless. Admirable." "Let’s give her a round of applause!" Thunderous applause gradually filled the hall. I didn't offer any further explanation. I wasn't talking to them anyway. Holding my heavy trophy and lifting the hem of my floor-length gown, I walked down the steps. Bathed in gazes of admiration and envy, I felt lighter than air. Unlike the road to get here, which had been so incredibly hard. I passed Gavin. Our eyes met. His expression was calm, his demeanor cool. His thin lips parted. "Congrats." I nodded. "Thank you." I had already thanked him in my speech, but it would never be enough. I sat back in my seat, thumbing the trophy. My mind had already drifted far away from the ceremony. 2 After the ceremony, there was a gala. Investors, stars—everyone who was anyone would be there. To celebrate the winners, and to pave their own paths. Gavin gave me a ride. Once inside the banquet hall, I consciously separated from him. Avoiding the crowd, I slipped away to the quieter back garden. I set my champagne on the edge of a flowerbed and scrolled through the trending topics. News of my win was #1, naturally. A bright red "EXPLOSIVE" tag next to it. Right below it was a discussion about the new Best Actress’s mental state. Also tagged "EXPLOSIVE." The netizens were analyzing it like they were Freud. [Her ex-fiancé turned out to be gay. Did that drive Sue crazy?] [Sister, take a break. You’re spiraling.] [Seriously dangerous. She wants to see a ghost.] [I laughed. How can Sue talk about her 'hard road' in her speech? The Sterling Group basically dumped all their resources on her. That’s probably why she didn't blow up at Gavin and accepted his... arrangement.] [She’s okay with being a beard? The world really is a giant Alabama.] [Keyboard warriors just love to tear women down with zero facts. Did you miss how hard Sue worked for three years?] [Am I the only one curious about who Xander is? Reminds me of a guy I knew. A singer at a bar I used to run. Played guitar like a god, but never took off his mask. Never saw his face.] [Curious about what? Three years ago Sue was a D-list nobody. How famous could anyone she knew be? She’s just saying vague stuff for clout. She knows how to play the internet.] Fame brings trouble. Aside from my career fans congratulating me, there were armies of bots and trolls attacking me. True or false? Only I knew the difference. But the part about Xander being a bar singer? That was true. 3 Xander and I were abandoned at the orphanage door on the same day. So, we shared a birthday. Maybe that’s why Xander always protected me. If someone bullied me, he’d retaliate. Even if he got jumped, he never backed down. The other kids called him "Mad Dog." No one played with us. Later, in school, I had good grades. He... didn't. I became the "nerd," he became the "delinquent." He kept his distance so I could study. But if anyone harassed me or confessed their love, he’d take them "out back." If words didn't work, fists did. Boys were terrified to approach me. The girls said I was being haunted by a demon and told me not to "fall." I just smiled softly and told them, "Xander is good." No one believed me. Because Xander was always covered in bruises. He dyed his hair blonde. looked every inch the thug. In high school, tuition fees kicked in. Xander dropped out. Being underage, he could only find work in shady sweatshops. The pay was dirt. The money he earned paid my tuition, my living expenses, and kept him alive. Those times were hard. I studied day and night to stay #1, to get scholarships and grants. To lighten Xander's load. But honestly? I didn't want to go to school. I wanted to act. To be a star everyone knew. Xander said no. He let me do anything, but I had to finish college. He said, "I will carry you my whole life. But first, you need knowledge. Raise your horizons. Then chase your dream." Freshman year of college. On my 18th birthday, I confessed to Xander. He wanted to refuse. He said I’d meet better people. But he couldn't resist my tears. We were together for four years. I thought it would be forever. But his "forever" only lasted twenty-three years. I graduated and entered the entertainment industry. Xander bought a guitar, taught himself to play, and started singing in bars. He said, "When you become a leading lady, I’ll record your theme song." I hadn't become a leading lady yet. I played a maid. I had three lines. Then I wrapped. The day I wrapped was our birthday. He said he was coming to celebrate. He bought a big cake and a bouquet of gardenias. Crossing the street on a green light, a drunk driver hit him. Ran over his legs. The cake and flowers were crushed. My Xander was crushed too. 4 That’s when I met Gavin. He was the CEO of my agency. A D-lister like me never saw him. But Xander had a rare blood type, and miraculously, his heart was undamaged. Gavin found me. He needed Xander’s heart. At any cost. So, the story of my engagement to Gavin began. It was Xander’s dying wish. To give me status and a bright future. Sadly, I never fulfilled it. In this life, I felt like I never did anything for Xander. Repressed emotions fermented over the years, turning into a soft thorn in my heart. Move, and it hurts. I prayed day and night, hoping there were gods above. Hoping they’d send Xander back to me. Netizens called me crazy. I never denied it. I had seen a miracle. Right next to Gavin. His lover was the one who needed Xander’s heart. He died the same day Xander did, but was reborn in another body. That is a miracle. I hoped a miracle would favor me just once. And if being crazy meant seeing Xander again? I’d gladly be insane.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "387176", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel