From His Puppet To His Punishment.

Again?Matteo had slapped me, yeah, but Dante acted like he’d been watching my every move.

“Why do you give a shit? You’re my boss, not goddamn Jesus. And how the hell did you know about the pregnancy? Or the kid swap? Was this public knowledge? Everybody knew but me?”

He leaned back, crossing his arms as he dragged his eye over me making me feel completely bare to him.

“I make it my business to know about my employees. Especially ones with your talent. Somewhere along, it added up.” He shrugged and I scoffed.

His face just made me angry for no reason.

Again. It could be because of this traumatic event that just occurred.

“As for the swap… let’s just say your husband —you prefer to call him that right?— Yeah, he’s not as quiet as he thinks. I was digging into him for business reasons, and the truth spilled out, really wasn’t that difficult.”

Business reasons.

He’d mentioned Matteo scamming him, working with a rival and all.

But there was something else in his gaze, something intensely raw, almost like he knew me from another life.

It fucked with my head.

“You pulled out your investment, tanked his company. I'm guessing I'm going to get fired too for causing a scandal on set right? I’m just an actress in your agency after all, another piece in your people’s sick games. That's probably why you’re here.”.

Honestly? The sight of a man near me made my skin crawl.

And something about the way he talked reminded me of Matteo. Fucking bastards.

If I have to put up with one more condescending man today, I promise, I'll lose my shit and commit murder.1

“Unfortunately, I can't let you go the easy way, Tera. You still have more scenes to shoot and you do not expect me to swap actresses mid show. Not happening! You have to finish what you started.”

My body stiffened and I raised my head slowly to meet his sharp gaze.

What did he just say?

I just went through a miscarriage, a fucking miscarriage, I lost a life and all he is thinking off is how to make me get right back into work?

“My goodness. The rumours are true. They're more than true. You're a fucking monster. You're a beast!” I half yelled, stopping myself as I winced when I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my lower abdomen.

“A beast that pays your salary, Miss or is it Mrs Tera. Honestly, you probably should let me know how to address you now because I'm confused and I hate it.” I interlocked my fingers together and took a deep breath.

“I'm so sorry if my personal affairs would affect the company, Boss. But I would be needing some time off to handle myself if I'm expected to continue the shoot.” I said in a respectful tone, my teeth gritted as I reminded myself that this man was indeed my boss.

And if I lost my job now that I and Matteo were a lost cause, it would be hell for me.

“Of course, you’ve been through hell. You deserve time off work and probably, your husband too. You deserve time off from him. Take time off if you need it. Your job would be safe and waiting. And if Matteo or Isadora come near you again, let me know, I'll handle it.”

I stared at him, searching for the angle.

Men like Dante didn’t hand out favors for free.

“What’s in it for you, Boss? Do I need to work without pay for a year? Pity? Or do you need me to suck your dick or something?” He stood, buttoning his jacket as he just spaced out, staring at me.

Yes, I did regret the words once they left my mouth.

I shouldn't have said that. Why did I say that? God, Tera you keep putting yourself in awkward shit.

How the hell do I face him anywhere after what I just said?

“Just… get better. We’ll talk more when you’re out, maybe I’ll take you up on the blowjob. But I didn't think that's something you'd think of given that you just lost a child.” He turned to leave, and then paused at the door.

“You’re strong. It would be a shame if you let them break you.” He muttered, the door clicked shut, and I was alone again.

Strong? I felt like a goddamn car wreck, my body was shattered like glass.

Dante’s words hung in the air, unsettling and yet all I could think of is why the hell my mouth has even suggested a blow job.

What a quick way to look like a cheap whore in front of the boss.

Why did he look at me like that, like he’d seen me naked?

I shook my head, shoving it aside.

Focus, Tera.

Matteo had played me from day one.

The rushed wedding, the fake affection, the distance, and Isadora, that sneaky little bitch, always watching, slapping me, mocking me.

I’d fought back sometimes, but apparently, it wasn’t enough.

Now Cassian is gone, and part of me still grieves for him, even knowing the truth.

He was innocent in their game. My hand rested on my empty belly again, and fresh tears came.

Two babies lost, one was never mine, the other stolen by stress and betrayal.

I needed to get the fuck out of here, to move, to do something.

Lying in this bed made my mind rot.

The doctor came in then, going on and on about the miscarriage, rest, no complications but emotional support bullshit.

I nodded, signing discharge papers for tomorrow.

But inside, a fire was sparking.

Matteo would pay. Isadora too. They would both pay for this as long as they were alive and I was too.

And Dante Baloney, my boss… I didn’t know what to make of that smug bastard yet but I knew he wasn't easy.

The way he stared at me like if I made one wrong move, he'd grab me and snap me in two.

How had it unraveled so fast? From wife and mom to broken and now alone.

But alone beat being lied to any day. I'm done being a victim.

Just great.

Nobody had even thought to call and check in on me. Gosh....Have I been living under a rock all these while?

I’d face Matteo, shove those divorce papers in his face, and walk away.

No more being a stand-in. No more being “The double.”

Just me, Tera Moretti.

The pain was there, deep and raw, but so was the rage. It would fuel me, I believe.

Dante called me strong, maybe the fucker was right.

Time to prove it.