Chapter 4 Try to Hurt Me Again, and You'll Regret It!

Chapter 04: Try to Hurt Me Again, and You'll Regret It!

Briella's POV

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It took a while before my manager finally picked up the call, she probably too caught up in another K-Drama binge. Since we stopped accepting projects, she'd been glued to her favorite Oppas like it was her full-time job.

"Yobosseo?" Chelsy greeted in her usual playful tone.

Despite the storm in my chest, I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Hearing her speak in Korean always softened me.

"Cut it out, Chel. I'm in a bad mood," I said, sounding lighthearted.

"Do I even need to ask why you're upset?" she snapped, sharp as ever.

I shook my head even though she couldn't see it. "Listen, I need you to do something for me."

"Ugh! If this is about dragging me to your practice wedding to witness your personal brand of foolishness, hard pass. I'd rather stay here and cry over fictional heartbreak."

I took a deep breath, eyes steady on the road. "I caught Xander cheating."

Thank God my phone was connected to the car's Bluetooth, or she would've burst my eardrum from screaming.

"That shameless piece of shit!" she exploded.

"Calm down," I said firmly, my grip on the steering wheel tightening as the images of last night flashed back. Xander and Matty, tangled in lies and each other. "He doesn't know I saw them."

"Brie, are you okay?" she asked, suddenly softer.

"I'm fine. I'm not going to be a fool crying over their sins," I said, blinking back the tears burning my eyes. I wouldn't let them make a fool out of me. Not for them.

"Do you know who the other woman is?" Chelsy asked quickly.

I let out a bitter laugh, the taste of betrayal still sharp on my tongue. "Matty."

"You mean Matty... your best friend Matty?" she asked, her voice rising.

"The one and only," I said with a sarcastic bite.

"Mos-sseuge mandeulda!" she cursed in Korean. I didn't need a translation, I could feel her rage through the speaker. "Those bastards! After everything you've done for them? This is how they repay you?"

"Chel, calm down," I said gently. "I know you want to confront them, but don't. Let me handle it."

"Where are you now?" she asked, her voice still fuming.

"I'm on my way to Tri Hotel. Xander told me Matty couldn't make it and asked me to substitute for her. Said she's in the hospital after pinching a nerve in her foot," I replied, rolling my eyes at the pathetic excuse.

I heard Chelsey's curse under her breath, but I let her vent. She had every right to be furious. She'd been with me from the beginning, even before officially becoming my manager. Back when I had no name, no contracts-just a dream and a willingness to show up for last-minute commercials that Matty bailed on.

When I started dating Xander three years ago, I gave up everything: modeling, fame, and even my family. I believed him when he said he needed me, when he told me I'd help him build his business, that we'd rise together.

God, how naive could I have been?

I pushed everyone aside for him. I burned bridges I can't rebuild. What would my parents think now... knowing I'd chosen the wrong man?

But they didn't need to find out. Not yet. First, I needed to take back everything he stole from me, my dignity, my future, and the girl I used to be before him.

And I would. Piece by piece. Flame by flame.

A bitter smile curved my lips as my father's disappointed face flashed through my mind. He hadn't said a word that day, but he didn't need to. I knew exactly what he was thinking.

I was the black sheep of our family. The one who defied reason. The one who always chose wrong.

"What do you want me to do?" Chelsy asked, her tone serious now.

"Do you trust me?" I asked in return.

"Of course! Would I have stuck by your side all this time if I didn't?"

I nodded even though she couldn't see it. "Good. Then I need you to do something for me."

My voice must've sounded different-cold, resolute-because even I felt the chill in my own words. Nothing could stop me now. I was going to bring down the two people who betrayed me.

"Anything," she said without hesitation.

"I need you to find out which hospital Xander took Matty to. Get proof they were both there. I want solid evidence that she didn't attend the event."

"Got it," she replied, a spark of excitement in her voice. "But are you okay going to Tri Hotel alone?"

"Don't worry about me. Matty's assistant will be there," I said, though I wasn't exactly thrilled about it.

She sighed but didn't argue.

"I'm going to take back everything I lost," I told her, my voice fierce with conviction. "And when I rise again, I'll ensure they feel every ounce of the fall."

"Wait-are you going back to modeling?" she asked, stunned.

"Yes. That's the only way I can truly get revenge. They wanted fame and fortune? Fine. I'll take all of it for myself."

She let out a laugh. "Now I feel like thanking Xander! You wouldn't even consider returning to modeling if he hadn't done what he did. Don't worry. I'll find you the biggest projects. We'll show them what they gave up."

"Thanks, Chel. But for now, focus on what I asked. We need solid proof. I want them cornered, with no way out when I finally take my shot."

"I'm on it. I'll call you once I find out where they are. Be careful, alright?"

We hung up, and silence filled the car. I tightened my grip on the wheel and focused on the road ahead. No distractions. I had a role to play today, and I needed to play it well.

***

Matty should've been the one at this event, smiling and mingling with sponsors and photographers. But here I was, the stand-in, again-except this time, I wasn't just filling in for a no-show. I was stepping into the spotlight for the woman who betrayed me.

Come to think of it, and I had been the one supporting her half her career. I stood in for her at events. I covered for her scandals. I was the one facing the people while she was behind my back, seducing my boyfriend like it was a casual menu item to sample.

I clenched my jaw, rage simmering as I sped down on the road. Thankfully, there has no traffic, perfect for my mood.

As I pulled up at the venue, Jobert, Matilda's ever-loyal P.A., was already at the entrance, scowling at me.

"You're late. Why are you only arriving now?" he demanded.

"Because the traffic and I were on opposite ends of the earth," I said coolly as I walked past him and entered the dressing room.

I didn't bother waiting for his help. Jobert had always been fiercely loyal to Matilda. He barely acknowledged the other models-especially me. And frankly, I'd lose my mind if I waited for him to grow a conscience.

No. I had my own war to fight. And it was just beginning.

"Do you even know what you're supposed to do?" he asked, one brow raised in that annoying, smug way.

I gave him a lazy shrug and replied, "I had just woken up when Xander called me. He said your boss had an accident, and honestly, I didn't understand half of what he was saying."

A blatant lie.

Judging by the flicker of surprise on Jobert's face, he wasn't expecting me to respond so casually. Good. He was on my list, too. When I said I'd take down everyone who betrayed me, that included this pompous jerk.

He let out a dramatic sigh and narrowed his eyes at me. "You'll go on stage three times," he snapped. "And on the last one, you'll wear the necklace they endorse. The director insisted you wear a mask to hide your ugly face."

I slammed the brush I was holding down on the table and turned to face him fully. "Watch your mouth. You're asking me for a favor here, don't act like I begged for this gig. I can walk out that door right now and leave you to explain everything to the organizers. Let's see how sharp your tongue is when they rip you apart."

I grabbed the first outfit, a sleek black and red sportswear set, and turned my back on him to change. I slipped on the outfit and matched it with a pair of Airmax sneakers, a bracelet, and a smartwatch. Clean. Professional. Deadly.

Once dressed, I stepped back in front of the mirror and tied my hair in a ponytail. Matty never wore her hair tied in any of her appearances. But I wasn't Matty.

"What the hell are you doing? You know Matty never ties her hair up!" Jobert barked from behind me.

I turned to him with a raised brow. "And what? Let my hair down and wear the mask? Where's the fashion logic in that? I'm endorsing this bracelet and the earrings, right?"

He blinked. "Yes..."

"Well, how are they supposed to see the earrings if my hair's down? Think for once. Or do you want your boss's reputation trashed because of your incompetence?"

He glared at me, clearly not buying my reasoning, but someone knocked on the door before he could argue. He turned and opened it just a crack, making sure I had the mask on before letting anyone in.

"Miss Matty will be up next. Please make your way backstage," one of the staff informed him.

"We'll be there in a moment," he replied curtly.

Then, without warning, he grabbed me by the elbow and yanked me toward the door like I was some disobedient child.

I tried to free my arm, but he only tightened his grip. "Do you want me to end with a bruise because you can't handle rejection?" I hissed at him as we neared the backstage area.

"Don't worry. Makeup can cover that," he sneered, lips curling with satisfaction.

I clenched my jaw, fury bubbling beneath my skin. I yanked my arm away from him, hard enough that the staff ahead of us turned to look. I forced a smile and walked like nothing happened.

But I leaned in, voice low and lethal, and said, "Try to hurt me again, and I swear . . . you'll regret it."