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Furious,I packed my bags and set off for Boston to confront him.
I had been so naive,thinking it would be easy.In Boston,before I even set eyes on Nathan I had already burned through my money.
Desperate,I joined this show—not just for the hefty fee but because the assistant said:
“You’re looking for someone,right?Go on the show—millions are watching.Maybe they’ll find you themselves.”
I didn’t expect Nathan to come look for me.With all those women around him,why would he care about just a tribe girl?
I just hoped he would hear I was in Boston and send someone to settle things between us.
He drank my love potion.If he betrayed me,every full moon would bring him excruciating pain from the potion’s backlash.
Since I was the one who made the potion,I could undo it—but I wouldn’t let him off so easily.
While my thoughts wandered,the fitness dancer and Lolita finished their performances.
The dancer did a cheer routine,and the Lolita girl’s angelic voice earned loud applause.
Online,fans stayed hyped,with comments scrolling:
[We want Claire’s performance!]
[I’m here for Claire.The others are okay but they lack her spark.]
[Claire’s a star for a reason—not just her looks!]
Seeing those blunt critiques, the dancer and Lolita girl’s expressions darkened.They knew they were unimportant,but still harsh words stung.
I realized the show’s purpose.Ads flashing on the screen and stage decor screamed that Claire’s endorsed brands were the real sponsors.
I was next to perform.
I adjusted my outfit,ready to take the stage,but Claire cut in.
“Since everyone’s here for me,I’ll go first.”
“Mara,you don’t mind,do you?”
“Oh,my husband’s dog is called Mara,too.”
She giggled,her smile warm but the look in her eyes couldn’t be icy.
I didn;t respond,standing firm at the stage’s edge,locking eyes with her.
The host jumped in: ”No problem,not a problem—who comes first doesn’t matter!”
The assistant’’s pleading voice came through my earpiece: “Mara,please let Claire go first,or the director will cut your fee and my pay.”
That strength in me disappeared.I couldn’t fight money.I returned to my seat.
I would settle with Claire later.
Seeing me back down,Claire’s smirk grew even wider.
The screen erupted as fans latched onto her comment about “husband”:
[Aww so sweet a couple!Her and Nathan’s wedding must be soon.]
[Nathan’s surrounded by beauties,but Claire’s the only one who’s lasted.]
[She’s even close with his dog—the chemical between them’s obvious!]
[This Mara girl has a hilarious name for a woman.]
A kind soul defended me:
[Mara’s a common Appalachian name,meaning a beautiful,clever woman.]
But it was quickly buried under countless comments praising Claire.
Claire performed a hot dance from her new album,earning roars from the crowd.
Online fans went wild,flooding the stream with gifts.
The director,watching the soaring data,grinned ear to ear.
After a while,the host finally remembered me. “Mara,got a performance ready?If it’s tough,you can skip it.”
I said slowly clearly, “I’ll do the same dance as Claire.”
My voice wasn’t loud,but it hit like thunder.The room fell silent.
Everyone stared,baffled by my move.
