Chapter 42

"Alright, that's a wrap for today's episode!" the director announced through a megaphone.

Joshua stretched, rolling his neck to work out the kinks. Filming a reality show, in his opinion, was more exhausting than acting in a movie. Film sets had plenty of downtime, but for a show like this, you had to be mentally switched on the entire time. And this was just a pre-recorded segment. He had a live show coming up next, and he was already dreading it.

By the time they finished packing up, the sun had set. His assistant handed him his phone and an open bottle of water. "Great work, Joshua. Have some water."

Joshua took a sip, handed the bottle back, and opened WhatsApp. Hannah still hadn't replied. He frowned. Her sulking had a limit, and she was really pushing it. Ignoring her chat, he scrolled through his other messages. They had been on a tight schedule all day, filming straight through lunch, so his phone was flooded with unread notifications. There were work-related texts from his agent and a slew of invitations from other starlets asking him out for dinner or drinks. He replied to them with dismissive, perfunctory messages, a hint of arrogance in his eyes. He was rich, powerful, and had millions of fans. There was no shortage of women vying for his attention; Hannah needed to remember that.

Suddenly, he noticed two messages from his younger brother, Joseph. Wasn't that kid supposed to be in school? What was he doing texting him?

He tapped open the chat. Joseph said he'd met a girl today who looked a lot like the girlfriend Joshua had in high school.

Joshua froze for a second.

His high school girlfriend? Who? Marguerite?

Normally, he would have clicked on the photo, but he wasn't in the mood. The whole reason he and Hannah were fighting was because of Marguerite. It was ridiculous, really—fighting over someone who had been dead for more than a decade. Hannah had been fuming about it for months.

Women were so much trouble.

He typed back: [Focus on your studies and stop daydreaming.]

There weren't many people who looked like Marguerite. She was stunning-the kind of beautiful that imprints on your memory forever.

It was a shame she had died so young. He'd put in so much effort to win her over, even planned an elaborate confession of love, but before he could even hold her hand, she was gone.

A flicker of regret crossed Joshua's face, and he sighed.

The other day, Hannah had asked him who he loved more. He honestly couldn't answer right away.

Marguerite was his first love, the

only go head ever truly thenet

pursued With all his heart. Hannah was the most captivating woman he'd met in recent years-delicate and beautiful. There was no real comparison.

But if Hannah were to ask him again, he'd say it was her. He was a practical man, after all. And truthfully, he wasn't in love with

Marguerite More

decade had passed. Who stays in love with a dead person for that long?

As the car headed back to the hotel this shoot was out of town, not in Northpine— Joshua scrolled through his other messages.

Just then, Joseph replied. [Just got out of class. I'm serious, she looks exactly like her. The more I think about it, the more I'm sure!]

Joshua, bored, tapped out a reply. [She's been dead for over ten years. When I was in high school, you were five or six. How could you remember her so clearly? You must be mistaken.]

Joseph: [I was young, but for years after she died, her picture was your phone's lock screen. I borrowed your phone to play games every day. It was impossible not to remember!]

Joshua had also attended university in Northpine, living at home instead of in the dorms.

Mentioning this, Joshua's brow furrowed slightly. Had he really been that sentimental? He'd completely forgotten.

[Didn't stop you from flirting with other girls, though,] Joseph added.

Joshua: [Shut up. You could have left that part out.]

He remembered now. For those few

years in college, he had kept

Marguerite's photo as his lock screen. Whenever another girl asked, he'd just say it was

found online HePicture he

done it obj

just

because he missed her, but for other reasons, too. Thinking of them now, his expression darkened.

Joseph texted again. [Seriously, though, the way this girl hit on me was pretty

unique. She doesn't even go to our school. I guess I've still got it!]

Joshua: [Don't get ahead of yourself. No dating in high school. Focus on your studies!]

Joseph: [I know, I know. I've got it under control.]