THE LOST HEIRESS RETURNS AFTER DIVORCE
Chapter 89: Why Did Everyone Have To Know?

Chapter 89: Why Did Everyone Have To Know?

"And that’s a wrap. That was the last scene, people. Congratulations!" the director’s voice boomed through the megaphone.

The crew erupted into cheers and applause, clapping each other on the back, hugging, and taking pictures.

The long weeks of filming had finally come to an end.

Heather let out a sigh of relief as she plopped into the nearest chair. Her body ached, but it was a good kind of ache—the kind that came after finishing something heavy. Penny sat beside her with a cold bottle of water and a towel.

"Finally," Heather murmured, twisting open the cap and taking a long sip. "It’s over."

She wiped her face with the towel, the humidity clinging to her skin. The last scene had been intense.

Everything about this charity film had been. Even before production wrapped, other film houses had started reaching out to Manager Sheng.

They wanted Heather, to put her in starring roles.

VestorCorp’s entertainment division was on that list too—clearly Caius’s doing.

But she wasn’t interested in anything connected to him. The man sponsored everything he could touch—like his money needed to be seen, everywhere.

Heather refused to work on a project he had anything to do with. Acting in something backed by him would be the same as crawling right back under his shadow.

"At least now you can sleep and spend more time with Alex," Penny said, settling on the edge of the armrest.

Heather paused, then lowered the water bottle. "I wish. Sheng already told me there are more offers lining up. They come fast, and they don’t wait. He thinks I need to stay visible."

"You can always say no."

Heather let out a tired laugh. "No, I can’t. Not when he thinks building more recognition is strategic. My socials are blowing up. Every role builds the next."

"It’s working though," Penny said, scrolling through her phone. "Your followers are climbing like wildfire. You’ve got people shipping you with your co-stars. It’s impressive."

Heather gave a small smile. Half-proud, and half-exhausted.

Penny suddenly leaned forward, brushing water droplets from the front of Heather’s dress. "Careful with that dress."

Heather blinked. "What?"

"The water. You almost soaked the front. Heather, this isn’t just a dress—it’s a set piece. If anything happens to it, all hell breaks loose. And you know how that Lauren witch is."

Heather rolled her eyes. "She can’t do anything to me."

"Exactly why I’m the next target."

Heather chuckled. "Miss H would protect you."

"I’d rather not test that. Needing Miss H’s intervention would just make it look worse."

Heather nodded. "I’ll be careful. I’m heading home now."

As she picked up her bag, a loud shriek came through the corner of the area.

"Oh my God, it’s really him!"

Heather and Penny instinctively flinched at the high-pitched scream. More crew members were already running toward the door, their phones out, cameras flashing.

"What is happening?" Penny asked, frowning.

Heather’s eyes narrowed. All the phones were pointed in one direction—recording.

Whoever it was must be big and famous. The crowd was reacting like royalty just pulled up.

The figure moved closer to the entrance, surrounded by people, partially hidden by the noise. But then he stepped forward.

A man in a tailored black shirt—rolled sleeves, collar open just enough to look casual, confident.

Heather’s face fell.

It was Caius.

Her eyes nearly rolled on their own, but instead, she closed them and pressed her fingers to her temple. She didn’t have the strength for this.

Why was he here?

He turned and saw her. His expression shifted the moment their eyes met—softening.

And then, like he had every right, he started walking toward her.

She didn’t want this attention. She still hadn’t forgiven him for what he did—going public with their situation like it was some fairytale. Now here he was, stirring up more trouble.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said when he reached her.

Sweetheart.

The word echoed across the set like a shout. Crew members gasped, their phones were lifted even higher, and of course, the whisperings increased.

Heather didn’t blink. Her jaw tightened. He knew this was the last thing she wanted—this public display, the spectacle. But as always, Caius did what Caius wanted.

"What are you doing here?" she asked through clenched teeth.

He leaned closer, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, "Didn’t want my wife walking around the set alone. After what happened outside... thought I should check in."

It seemed like people were getting bored of heir lives, because with every word he said, more people gasped, their eyes widened, as if he was saying anything important. The word wife had sunk in.

Heather forced a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Caius. Can we talk? Privately."

Instead of listening, he gently brushed her hair off her shoulder like they were some couple on vacation. Her skin crawled.

"What’s the point of ’private,’ when the whole world already knows?" he said.

Heather grabbed his wrist and pulled him aside, near the vending machines, away from open ears.

"You said you weren’t going to make this public," she snapped in a hushed tone.

"We never had that conversation," he said simply. "Someone found out. They were going to leak it. I just got ahead of it."

"No," she hissed. "You made it worse. If you didn’t keep calling me things like ’wife’ and ’sweetheart’ on your livestream like we’re—"

"—like we’re actually married?" he cut in, his tone quiet but pointed.

That stopped her.

Her jaw clenched again, but this time it wasn’t anger—it was something else, and more bitter.

"You are my wife, Heather. Even if that’s not what you want it to mean. Why are you acting like you’re ashamed of it?"

She turned her back to him, rubbing her temples.

"It’s not about shame, Caius. It’s about what I’ve been through. The attacks and the humiliation. And now, you’re giving them more to talk about."

"I saw the videos," he said. "I saw how they treated you. You think I could just sit back while you get egged by some obsessed groupies? You think I was going to stay silent?"

Heather looked toward Penny, who was still glaring at Caius like she wanted to hurl a boom mic at his head. Penny mouthed, Walk away.

Heather nodded once, almost without meaning to.

"Don’t pretend this is about protecting me," she said to him. "You like this. The attention. The eyes and the narrative."

"I like you." His voice deepened. There was something in his eyes now—something quiet but intense. "But I get it. You don’t believe me. That’s fine. I’m happy being your..." He paused, then smirked. "...problem. The one you can’t shake."

Heather stepped back. "I don’t have time for this. I have to go back to Alex. You were supposed to be watching him."

"And I will. But right now, I wanted to make sure you were okay. Even if you hate me for it."

At this point, her heart was racing—not with love, but with frustration. Embarrassment. The worst part was how visible everything was now.

And that was what bothered her most.

Why did everyone have to know?

Why did they need to see her linked to a man like Caius, when half the world was already judging her?

The truth sat like a rock in her stomach. When no one knew, she had control. But now?

That control was slipping fast.

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