Replacing The Leading Man

During the reality show challenge with the A-list movie star, a rising newcomer actress and I were locked inside the same room.
The Director announced the rules: the door would only open when the two people whose hearts truly beat as one joined hands. The person left behind would face an immediate career penalty and be forced out of the industry.
As soon as I grasped the stakes, I grabbed the movie stars hand and moved toward the door.
After all, everyone in the industry knew wed been together for ten years and had just recently married. The day we announced our wedding, the entire internet crashed, and our shipper fanbase was larger than some top-tier idols combined.
But when I gripped his hand and tried the knob, the door didn't budge.
The moment I froze, his hand slipped from my palm.
The lock clicked open.
When I finally lifted my head, Rhys Maxwell and Willow Tate were standing in the open doorway, their fingers laced together.
1
In that instant, it wasn't just me. The entire internet paused.
On the live stream, captured by the real-time cameras, the comment section exploded:
[WHAT IS HAPPENING?! The door that the A-List star and CEO Avery Stonethe ultimate power couplecouldnt open, was opened by him and the newcomer?]
[The Rhavery shippers are going to riot, Director! You are about to be completely canceled!]
[Didnt they say the door was connected to a heart-rate monitor? Does this mean Rhys and Willows hearts raced when they held hands?!]
[Dont be ridiculous! Senior Rhys was obviously just being kind! He didn't want to bully a new actress with the shows cruel challenge!]
[Exactly! The production team paired Rhavery with Willow for this mission just to eliminate her! Rhys clearly remembered his own humble beginnings and stepped in. Don't be so sexual-minded, people!]
I slowly looked at Rhys.
The eyes that used to hold such gentle affection were now icy, tinged with a cold impatience at being caught.
Mrs. Stone, please don't misunderstand!
Willow immediately snatched her hand away, her eyes wide with feigned fear.
Rhys and I were just acting, maam. He only didnt want to see me eliminated in the very first round. Please, dont think anything of it!
I raised an eyebrow and glanced at the heart-rate monitor beside the door. The machine, which had been as flat and dead as still water when Rhys and I touched, had spiked the moment his fingers intertwined with Willow's.
To be able to fool a machine, your acting must be Oscar-worthy.
I
Avery!
Rhys frowned, subtly shifting his body to block my direct view of Willow.
Willow is a new talent who debuted just last year. It would be a tragedy for her career to end over a game. I only wanted to do what was in my power, the way you helped me all those years ago.
So, he did remember. He remembered that it was I who went against the entire board to establish the talent division, signed him out of the crowd of forgotten extras, and then spent years molding him into the coveted multi-talented actor he was today.
How could he dare?
How could he publicly cheat on me with a new actress, right under my nose, with countless cameras rolling?
The rules state that the person left behind must accept the career penalty.
I looked up at Rhys.
Youre taking her with you? Did you stop to think about what would happen to me?
The red light of the camera blinked above my head, a silent, mocking eye. In the moment of Rhyss silence, the comments boiled over again:
[Wait! Avery Stone hasn't been in a lot of movies, but she made her debut with Rhys on 'Second Chance Skyline' over a decade ago! Is the production team really going to play this hardball?]
[What is wrong with Rhys? Hes ignoring his wife to help a rookie? And Willow, can you not read the room when the actual wife is standing right there?]
[Leave Willow out of this! Blame the Director! The pairing was a disaster! Our Willows screen time is being stolen by 'Rhavery'!]
[Setting aside the drama, doesnt anyone think the Rhavery vibe is off today? Could their marriage really be on the rocks?]
Avery. Rhys sighed. You have the Stone family behind you. Even if you retire as an actress, youre still the CEO of Stone Entertainment! But Willow is different. She has nothing
So? I cut him off. You want me to retire?
Rhys pursed his lips. The darting of his eyes and his heavy silence answered for him.
I let out a hollow laugh, pulled out my phone, logged into my social media, and posted a concise retirement statement.
Rhys instantly relaxed. He reached out and touched my head, a patronizing gesture.
Thats my girl. You werent classically trained anyway. Opportunities should be given to the younger talent.
With that, he shot a glance at Willow and led her out the door.
I signaled the cameraman to cut the feed, then called my assistant, Leo.
Call Director Kincaid. The male lead for his new A-List Tentpole, The Crest, needs to be replaced.
Leos voice hitched. Mrs. Stone, did you and Rhys have a fight?
No, I said.
Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, I continued.
Were getting a divorce.
2
Leo inhaled sharply.
Maam what about Director Kincaids film? Rhys was set as the lead. The penalty fees aside, Kincaid won't find a replacement on such short notice!
A broadcast announcing MIDSESSION BREAK played just as a young crew member sent by the production team approached to remove my mic pack. He had pale skin, sharp features, and a clean profile.
As his fingers deftly worked to detach the equipment near my collarbone, I suddenly raised my hand and tilted his chin up. The coldness of my touch made him flinch, but his hands didn't stop moving. He pressed the button on his headset.
Area B, Room 302. Please bring a cup of hot water for Mrs. Stone.
He was bold. And smart.
Do you want to act? I asked him.
When I walked out of the studio, Rhys was surrounded by a swarm of fans. I overheard something he said, followed by a boastful laugh.
Smooth sailing? Honey, Ive been walking on water since my debut!
I couldnt help but let out a small, quiet scoff.
A group of shippers nearby heard me and immediately rushed over, full of concern.
Avery, did you and Rhys fight? Youre not really retiring over a stupid reality show, are you?
Avery, I want to see you act again. Well miss you!
Dont worry! Before I could speak, Rhys walked over and draped his arm possessively around my shoulder, pulling me close. Its all for the show. Avery and I are great.
The fans sighed in relief and pushed photos forward for signatures.
As countless glossy prints were shoved toward me, one caught my eye: a duo shot from our first collaboration, Second Chance Skylinemy debut, and the film that launched his career. Back then, his star was too low, and no actress wanted to work with him, so I had to step in and finish the movie with him.
It became the ultimate shippers' artifact. Fans constantly brought this particular shot for us to sign.
But this time, the space next to Rhyss signaturewhere mine should have beenwas instead scrawled with the name Willow Tate.
Mrs. Stone, please dont misunderstand!
Willow had materialized at my side. She pointed to the signed photo in my hand.
This is my fault! I was standing next to Rhys talking to fans, and I wasnt paying attention to the photo they handed me. I accidentally signed it
Looking at her pitiful, tearful expression, I smiled.
Going blind so young. How are you ever going to navigate this business?
My voice wasnt soft. The area instantly went silent. Even the surrounding fan chatter died down.
Avery Stone, its just a photo. Willow has apologized. Do you really have to be so cruel?
Rhyss expression hardened. He yanked me aside and glared at the cameras sweeping around us, his voice seething with anger.
I know you have connections, but do you want the whole internet to see you bullying a junior actress with your influence?
I curled my lips into a chilling smile.
Am I cruel and using my influence, or are you two morally bankrupt?
You!
Sensing the situation escalating, the Director rushed in to disperse the fans. Rhys quickly pulled me further away.
Alright, honey, my attitude was bad. I just didnt want you to be negatively edited.
Willow and I are truly just friends. You have to trust me! I know losing the game upset you, but I already talked to the Director about letting you finish this episode before retiring. Can we please drop this?
I didnt engage. I just stood there, looking at him with a frightening calmness.
Rhys, do you still remember the first thing the female lead in Second Chance Skyline said when she discovered the male lead was cheating?
3
Rhyss expression froze, and a flicker of panic crossed his eyes.
That was years ago. Who remembers old lines?
Just then, the Directors voice called for the next scene, and Rhys, visibly relieved, headed straight for the recording area without looking back.
Watching him leave, I picked up my phone and called Leo again.
Find out how many projects and endorsements Rhys has left. Cancel all of them.
The penalty fees are my problem.
Just like the line in the movie: Work, dreams, career Im going to take away everything you ever built, one step at a time.
For the second round, we were all taken to a massive Ferris wheel. The challenge required us to split into two-person and one-person groups through a compatibility quiz. The two-person team would enter a gondola and have to kiss when it reached the apex. The remaining person would be locked in an isolation booth and would have to find the escape key by monitoring the couples kissing-cam and solving clues.
The rules instantly sent the comment section into a frenzy:
[This round was made for Rhavery! The Kiss at the Apex! The production team is brilliant!]
[OMG, we get to see Mom and Dad make out! Its Christmas for the shippers tonight!]
[Point the camera right at them! I want the HD close-up!]
In a corner where no one was paying attention, Willow tugged at Rhyss sleeve, her voice pitiful.
Rhys, please, can you go easy on the quiz? I Im terrified of the dark. I cant go into the isolation booth alone.
Rhys didnt answer, but I could already see the hesitation in his eyes.
The compatibility quiz began.
Unsurprisingly, Rhys failed every question about memy least favorite food, my alma mater, even the name of the dog we co-adopted. He knew nothing.
After the first round, the Director looked more upset than I did. This was clearly derailing his plan to milk our model couple status for ratings.
There was nothing for it but to let Rhys and Willow try the compatibility round next.
What happened next shocked everyone. From major things like her astrological sign and career goals to minor details like the song she listened to last night, Rhys knew everything about Willow.
The chime for correct answers rang repeatedly, yet the atmosphere in the room turned subtly corrosive.
[Wait a minute This isn't right. He knows absolutely nothing about his wife, but he knows everything about Willow? How?]
[Did Willow cheat and leak the answers? Doesn't she think this is too obvious if shes just trying to steal attention?]
[Avery has looked miserable all day. Are they really having marital issues]
[Stop the conspiracy theories! It's probably the show's script, using Rhavery for clicks!]
The final score was a foregone conclusion. Rhys and Willow won by a landslide, securing their spot as the only two to enter the kissing gondola.
Honey, dont take it to heart.
In front of the camera, Rhys leaned in and closed the distance between our lips with a calculated kiss. In the brief moment our mouths touched, he stroked my hair, his voice sickeningly gentle.
Its just a game. Think of it as us filming a scene up there. Be understanding, okay?
[OMG, kissing in front of the camera! Im dying!]
[Who said Rhavery was falling apart? Its just a reality show script! People who believe the rumors are losers for life!]
[Worried his wife will get jealous, he kisses her before getting on the Ferris wheel with another woman! Ahhh, this is the most beautiful love story!]
4
No.
My refusal hit the floor with an audible thud. Rhys froze in place, and Willow immediately scampered over.
Mrs. Stone, please dont misunderstand!
She clasped her hands tightly, her eyes instantly welling up.
Rhys and I are really just completing a task. I know I dont deserve to compete with you, but the rules are the rules. I have no choice
Her tragically vulnerable expression was precisely captured by the cameras, and a wave of comments flooded the screen, condemning me:
[Its just a game. Does Avery Stone really need to be such a diva? Look how scared shes made poor Willow!]
[What do you mean, diva? Would you want your husband kissing a strange woman on a Ferris wheel?]
[Why is the person making three thousand dollars a month defending the person making thirty million? They get paid to take this kind of crap!]
[Exactly! Our Willow is so pretty, the movie star isnt losing anything!]
Rhys, watching the scrolling comments, finally spoke.
Avery, stop being dramatic. Everyone is watching.
He paused, his eyes softening slightly in a manipulative plea.
Have you forgotten? You have a fear of heights. You wouldnt be comfortable going up there anyway. Isnt it better for Willow to go in your place?
I looked at Rhys.
I havent forgotten.
He was the one who had forgotten.
After the accident on the set of Second Chance Skyline, I was trapped in an elevator for ten hours. The doctor later confirmed the severe claustrophobia that I had lived with ever since.
Afterward, Rhys had held me, his voice choked with tears, and promised, I will never leave you alone in the dark again!
He had forgotten.
The moment Rhys turned to leave with Willow, the coldness in my heart spread all the way to my fingertips. I lunged forward and grabbed his wrist, discarding the last shred of composure I was maintaining for the cameras.
Rhys, I cant be alone down here. I
Avery Stone! He lost all patience, raising his voice to cut me off. You need to cut it out! This is work! Is your basic professionalism going to be ruined just because youre being suspicious and insecure?
He swept his gaze around the area, his sharp eyes pinning me in place.
Kissing on set is part of an actors job! Everyone has to overcome difficulties to complete a shoot! Are you special? Are you too precious? Stop making a big deal out of nothing!
Rhyss sudden shift in attitude shocked the production team. Dozens of eyes were now focused solely on him.
I let go of his wrist.
All the fear, the anger, and that last, ridiculous shred of hopeall of it sank into the icy darkness of my eyes with that one movement.
Rhys seemed satisfied with my surrender. He signaled the Director.
Stick to the original plan. Willow and I are going up. Avery she needs to cool off.
Willow followed closely behind him. As she passed me, the corner of her mouth lifted in a fleeting, but perfectly clear, smirk.
I stood there, watching their backs as they headed toward the massive wheel.
Then, I pulled out my phone and quickly sent a message to Leo:
[Terminate all contracts with Rhys Maxwell. After this episode airs, I want him to vanish from the entertainment industry.]

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