Mr. Fake-Mute's Love Game Ended When I Stopped Playing the Fool novel Chapter 73

Seven days.

I sit against the hospital bed.

My grandma’s dress gets sent to a pro for cleaning.

I move fast, uploading the nurse’s recorded audio to the cloud.

Then pull up the mansion’s security footage and save it all.

Label: Gift #3 for my ex–husband.

Five days later, I’m discharged.

Willow Bennett–a nobody D–list actress–rides Cade’s connections straight to the top.

Lead roles in over a dozen high–budget TV dramas.

Three A–list directors fighting to make projects just for “Mr. Ashford’s true love.”

Everywhere I go, every LED screen I pass in the car–there she is.

Willow Bennett. Manhattan’s sweetheart, the nation’s new darling.

open my phone, check the countdown.

Two days left. Then this whole circus ends.

‘m actually a little curious.

When Cade finally gets his memory back and he opens my little gift–what’s he gonna do?

Kill himself? Hang himself? Mutilate himself?

lease. Old tricks–done that,

‘m more interested in seeing what NEW tragedy he’ll perform this time.

The car pulls up to my apartment building.

Before I even reach the garage, the TV director calls, her voice is shaking.

L–Liya… um… Mr. Ashford wants you to come back. He’s arranged for you to interview Willow Bennett.”

Interview Willow?

Scheduled for two days from now.

I put her on speaker, tap the countdown on my screen.

Finally, I smile.

‘Sure. Tell Cade I’m in.”

Chapter 4

A live broadcast interview, thirty million in promotional spend.

Not just Manhattan–the whole country’s gonna be watching when Cade’s memory comes back and he loses his goddamn mind.

This is gonna be fun.

Day of the interview.

The producer runs up to me, practically in tears.

“Liya! Willow’s manager just called–she says Willow’s not feeling well and won’t be coming!”

What?”

If the guest doesn’t show, with Willow’s current popularity, no one’s gonna blame HER for being a diva.

They’ll just laugh at ME for hosting a show nobody wants to be on.

bite my lip, tell the producer to keep prepping.

Then I go to the green room and call Willow myself.

ling… ring… ring…

hirty calls.

inally, someone picks up.

but she’s not talking to me.

Mmm, Cade, you’re so bad… Messing with Liya like this–what if she really snaps?”

ler voice is breathy, dripping with lust.

man’s voice answers, just as breathless.

Laye’s always been jealous of you. If she wants to stay Mrs. Ashford, she needs to learn her place.”

o this whole interview was a setup.

trap designed to humiliate me in front of the entire country.

and Cade planned the whole thing himself.

lower my head and let out a bitter laugh.

Outside the building, Willow’s fans are gathering. They must’ve gotten word the show’s falling apart.

heyre waving signs, screaming,

Liya Clarke is a FRAUD! Using fans for dout! Disgusting!”

We deserve answers! Where’s Willow?!”

Get Liya OUT HERE!”

Then Willow goes live on her official account.

she’s clinging to Cade’s arm, tears streaming down her face.

Chapter 4

Liya, I know we’re best friends, but I told you I was fully booked today.”

But you SLAPPED me! And threatened me!”

Said if I didn’t show up, you’d accuse me of being Cade’s mistress!”

Makeup magic–a perfect swollen red cheek.

ade kisses her forehead, then looks into the camera cold.

My marriage to Liya Clarke is just business. Nothing more.”

We agreed from the start–no strings. But she’s obsessed.”

Possessive. She’s hurt Willow multiple times. She’s toxic!”

he comments explode.

le starts playing edited footage–me “kidnapping” Willow, “attacking” her over the dress, “abusing animals.”

Vithin minutes, the trending topics are all about me, all hate.

Outside the studio, Willow’s fans break through security.

hey storm the building.

he doors to the studio burst open.

One of the male fans–big guy–wraps a rope around my neck and hoists me into the air.

he producer–totally brainwashed–starts a live stream “for justice.”

hirty million viewers watch in real time.

hey connect to Willow’s live.

he gasps, covering her mouth in shock.

Oh my God, Cade… Liya looks terrible. Are we going too far?”

She brought this on herself,” Cade says, holding her tight.

‘Bitch with rotten hearts don’t deserve your kindness, Willow.”

One of my eyes is swollen shut, vision clouded with blood.

The countdown calendar on my broken phone still glowed on the floor.

Five… four… three… two… one…

BEEP BEEP BEEP!!!

An automated alert goes off.

A cloud file labeled “Happy Divorce” gets sent directly to Cade’s phone.

At the same time, my lawyer sends me the finalized divorce certificate.

-Miss Clarke, congratulations. You’re free.

On Willow’s livestream, I watch Cade’s face freeze.