I Quit the Male Lead's Script

Three years into my marriage, I discovered I was the beautiful, wealthy female antagonist in a romance novel set in Silicon Valley's elite circles.

In 24 hours, my arranged marriage husband, Lucian Stone, would fall irrevocably in love with a sweet, pretty intern at his companyso deeply that he'd stop a private flight for her.

Then, they'd sell me to a cartel in Tijuana, where I'd be tortured to death.

I decided to run. Before it's too late.

But that night, Lucian, the one usually so emotionally distant, searched the entire city for me and pinned me by the waist against the floor-to-ceiling window.

Then he whispered hoarsely as his fingers brushed my earlobe

Running away with my child, Mrs. Stone? Where exactly do you think you're going?

By the time I withdrew the last of my savings from the bank, it was already past closing time.

The manager fidgeted, finally blurting, Mrs. Stone... if Mr. Stone finds out you've taken this much out at once

I widened my eyes. It's my money. Can't I access it?

He wiped his brow. Well, it's not that, it's just

If there's no problem, then don't say any more. I stood up, clutching the cash. Thanks for the concern, but I'd rather not hear it.

He chased me to the door. Mrs. Stone, you and Mr.Stone don't have a prenupeverything after marriage is shared! You can't hide this from him!

I was beyond annoyed. I don't care if he finds out.

God, I'm dying. Who cares about hiding things now?

Two days ago, it hit meI'd woken up inside a clich romance novel.

In the original story, the male lead was a cold, ruthless CEO, while the female lead, a kind-hearted intern who messes up on her first day but somehow calms the storm inside him.

They fall for each other instantly.

The CEO's wifethat's menotices and causes a scene.

Disgusted, he tells her, It was just a marriage of convenience. You make me sick.

He launched a passionate pursuit of her.

But his wife, who's loved him since they were kids, can't let go.

For hundreds of chapters, the three are locked in a toxic triangleuntil the wife's family goes bankrupt, she's trafficked to Tijuana, and dies a brutal death.

Yep. I'm the wife. The villainess. The roadblock to their epic love.

Now, 24 hours until Lucian met the intern at the gallery.

Time to move.

Lucian found me in the walk-in closet, discussing my finances with my best friend, Chloe.

You want to transfer your assets to me? Are you insane? Chloe shrieked. Your husband's family owns half the NYPD! He'll hunt me down!

It's my separate property. It's legal.

But last year you said you'd give Lucian everything! I'll die without him!' What happened to all that love?

I frowned. I said that?

Yes! You adored him!

Huh. I tossed Birkin bags into a suitcase. Guess I was pathetic back then.

Chloe stared.

Then Lucian entered then. He'd only heard the last part.

Tall and imposing, he paused in the doorway, taking in the mess. What's all this? he asked, tone even.

Chloe bolted. I'll let you two talk.

Alone now, Lucian's gaze cooled. He was always like thisexpressionless when we married, detached even in intimacy.

We've been married three years, known each other more than ten. I've loved him all that time.

In school, everyone knew I was chasing him. I waited in the snow to buy concert tickets till I fell sick, burned my hands cooking for his birthday, brought him breakfast every morning.

When our families arranged our marriage, I was overjoyed. I hired a yacht, lit fireworks over the Hudson for him.

But in the end, all I ever got was a cold glance from across the crowd.

I could never move him. Now I knew why in this story, I was nevermeant to.

Too many clothes. I zipped the suitcase. Just tidying up.

Lucian's eyes narrowed. Tidying up? You emptied three accounts.

He tugged his tie loose, impatient. Are you funding some boy toy?

No. Why would you think that?

Satisfied, his voice flattened. Good. I don't want any scandals. It's bad for stock prices.

So he didn't care if I cheatedhe just cared about the company's image.

A pang of disappointment hit, but I nodded.Understood. You're leaving tomorrow? For the art exhibition?

Yes. Having the assistant track my schedule again?

I glanced outside. A storm was brewing. I'll finish up here.

That night, Lucian fucked me rougher than usual. He always did before business trips. Exhausted, I didn't resist. It wouldn't happen again anytime.

Soon, he'd be all over the female lead. For two hundred chapters, they'd be at itfrom his office to the cafeteria, every corner their playground.

I slept till the next afternoon.

When I woke, my lower abdomen ached, and the trend was blowing up.

LucianStone&Intern #PerfectMatch

Just as expected.

Right on script, Sean had met the intern, Mia John, at the exhibition.

A candid photo showed Mia in a simple black dress, bright and beautiful. Sean stood beside her, holding a wobbly painting frame for her, the veins on his forearm pronounced.

Comments flooded in:

[Ex-employee here. NEVER seen the Mr. Stone act so gentle with anyone else!]

[I know he's married but I can't help shipping it...]

[They just have this chemistry!!]

[Let me indulge for one secondjust one!]

I soaked in the tub, rinsing Lucian out of me, scrolling.

In the book, the moment he saw her, Lucian would lose controlovercome with protectiveness and well, lust.

It infected bystanders. People just inexplicably felt they belonged together, obsessed over their every move.

I called Chloe. Is it ready?

You're serious? No second thoughts?

Did you see the trend?

Yeah, but he didn't technically cheat.

Watch this. I dialed Lucian.

It rang a long time before he answered. Noise from the exhibition filled the background, mixed with a young woman's laughter.

His tone was still cool, but noticeably lighter than at home. What is it?.

I hesitated. Lucian if I were pregnant

Terminate it.

I knew he'd say that. But his word still, stung. Terminate?

My trip's extended. I'll be back in a week. His tone clipped. Handle it yourself. We'll talk later.

Then he hung up.

In the book, the wife had gotten pregnant.

But as if under a spell, he refused to believe it was his.

He and Mia put the wife through helldemanding three paternity tests. The first sample was ruined, the second was tampered with, and even after the third confirmed it, he still didn't believe it.

Pathetic.

My child you can't grow up in this mess.

Lucian didn't knowI wasn't testing him. I was pregnant. I found it two days ago.

I'd planned to surprise him.

Now, for this child's sakeand to avoid being sold to a living hellI have to run.

Chloe shrieked through the phone, That bastard! After all you've done for him!

Yep.

Run! I'll get you a fake ID. We'll disappeargo somewhere he'll never find us!

I wrapped myself in a towel. Our wedding photos lined the hallwaygilded dreams trapping me.

Three years. I'd given him my youth.

He never thawed.

What will he do when he finds me gone?

Lucian claimed he'd be gone a week.

But I knew better than to wait that long.

According to the novel's plot, late that very night, he would rush home over a crisis.

Because the villainess would threaten suicide in the tub:

If you're with her, I'll livestream my death! Let the whole world see how heartless you are!

Enraged, Lucian would drag her out.

If you want to die that badly, I'll help you!

Then, he'd lock her in a soundproof room.

Forced to listen to him and Mia fuck. Loudly.

I would never let that happen.

I'd run before he returned.

Packing the last Birkin, I signaled the guard. Tickets secured?

Yes! Chloe chirped. Fly to Vancouver first. My contact will meet you. Once you're out of NYC, you're free!

Free.

The word left me dazed.

That evening, the bodyguard my father had assigned me was waiting by the door.

I climbed the stairs one last time, walking through the home I'd shared with Sean, and opened the nightstand drawer.

I took my passport and ID.

From the age of fifteen, when I first met Lucian, I'd constantly pestered him.

"Really, you don't like me? I'm so cute, just look at me more, maybe you'll start to like me."

Now, at twenty-five, I was leaving with nothing.

He never lacked for people who would wait in the snow to buy him concert tickets. He never lacked for perfectly decorated birthday cakes.

He was born the golden boy, the protagonist of this story. He had everything.

Including my love.

And I had decided to take it all back.