Left Me to Drown for Her？I’m Done with All Three of You！Chapter 04

Left Me to Drown for Her？I’m Done with All Three of You！Chapter 04

Graham never came back.

At nine that night, the medic checked my blood pressure again.

A production assistant sat outside the room, fielding calls while she explained that Tessa was still overwhelmed. All three men were staying with her.

“The showrunner wants to know if you can film tomorrow.”

I studied the purple bruising spreading across my shoulder. “What’s tomorrow’s challenge?”

“The men take care of the person they chose. It’s a follow-up to the rafting episode.”

A short laugh slipped out. “Sure.”

The assistant blinked. “You can film like this?”

“I meant they can.”

I unclipped the microphone from my collar and put it in her hand.

“I’m out.”

Her fingers closed around it. The color drained from her face.

Our reality-show contract imposed early-termination damages on anyone who withdrew. The show was already drawing huge numbers, and the completion bonus was substantial.

That money was the reason Graham had agreed to participate.

The bonus would cover the down payment on a condo in Lindenport once we finished.

I’d studied the floor plan on my phone until I knew every wall. The sunniest room would be our home office. Two wicker chairs would go on the balcony.

I opened the screenshots again. They looked like someone else’s life.

The assistant left to call the showrunner.

Alone on the exam bed, I pulled up my messages with Graham.

His last text had arrived the day before, reminding me to take motion-sickness medicine before rafting.

Above it were the engagement photo packages he’d sent before filming.

[Pick whichever one you like. We’ll shoot it when this is over.]

I read the sentence until the screen dimmed.

The showrunner arrived at ten thirty.

He didn’t force me to stay. The damages, he told me, were negotiable.

“Your accident has serious story potential. If you keep filming, we can adjust your arc. You won’t have to stay in Tessa’s shadow.”

“Adjust it how?”

“Graham realizes you’re the woman he can’t let go. Or Nolan and Reid finally notice you. Audiences love a win-her-back redemption arc.”

Even belated concern could be written into the story arc and mass-produced.

“No, thanks.”

He watched me for a beat. “Because they didn’t save you?”

“No.”

One accident could be explained away.

But no one had time to perform in real danger.

Reaching for Tessa had been instinct.

So had forgetting me.

I returned to the cast lodge to pack.

Most of the cameras were dark, and the building had gone quiet.

Tessa’s bedroom door stood slightly open.

Nolan’s reassurance drifted into the hall. Reid told her not to blame herself.

Then Graham murmured, “This isn’t your fault. Mara’s a strong swimmer. She won’t blame you.”

My steps stopped.

He still didn’t know I couldn’t swim.

Two years earlier, I’d tried taking lessons and choked on water in the shallow end.

Graham had been busy that day. Nolan and Reid had gone to Tessa’s birthday, so I sat alone at the edge of the pool for a long time.

When they asked later, I told them I’d learned.

Maybe that was when they began believing I could always make it through on my own.

Back in my room, I folded each piece of clothing into my suitcase.

The ring box Graham had slipped me before filming still sat on the nightstand. He’d promised to replace it with a real engagement ring when the show ended.

I left it there.

After three years, the matching bracelet had worn a faint circle into my skin.

I took it off and zipped the suitcase.

Footsteps sounded at the far end of the hall as I closed my door.

Graham came out of Tessa’s room. He froze at the sight of my luggage.

“Where are you going this late?”