Playing Pretend

Playing Pretend
Scarlett's POV

"There's nothing between us anymore," I lied, the words cutting my throat on the way out. "That was five years ago. We're different people now."

Madison's face lit up like I'd just given her the best news in the world. "Really? You're sure?"

"Completely sure." Each word felt like swallowing glass. "Kai deserves to be happy. If you like him, go for it."

She threw her arms around me in a hug that made me want to scream. "Thank you! I was so worried. You're such a good person, Scarlett."

A good person. If only she knew.

The next morning started with Jake's announcement at breakfast. "Today's group date is special. Kai and Madison will spend the afternoon together while the rest of you watch and cheer them on."

My coffee turned to acid in my stomach.

"What kind of date?" Ryan asked around a mouthful of eggs.

"A romantic picnic by the beach. Just the two of them. Very intimate." Jake's eyes found mine across the table. "And Scarlett gets a front-row seat."

Kai looked up from his plate for the first time since sitting down. "Is that really necessary?"

"Absolutely. Everyone should support Madison's journey to find love. Right, Scarlett?"

"Right," I forced out. "Can't wait."

Two hours later, I stood on the beach watching a camera crew set up the perfect romantic scene. White blanket spread on the sand. Champagne chilling in a bucket. Roses scattered everywhere like someone had murdered a garden.

The other contestants gathered around me, all excited to watch the date unfold. Only I knew that each romantic moment would be a small death.

Madison arrived first, practically skipping across the sand in a sundress that caught the ocean breeze. She looked like a princess from a fairy tale.

Then Kai appeared, and my heart forgot how to work.

He'd brought his guitar. Of course he had. Music was his superpower, the thing that made everyone fall in love with him.

I dug my fingernails into my palms hard enough to leave marks.

"They look so good together," one of the other girls whispered.

"Like they were made for each other," another agreed.

Each comment was a needle under my skin.

Kai sat down on the blanket and pulled out his guitar. Even from a distance, I could see Madison's eyes go soft with admiration. He started playing something gentle and sweet, something I'd never heard before.

Something he'd never played for me.

The realization hit hard. He was moving on. Creating new songs for a new girl. I was just a ghost from his past, haunting the edges of his present.

Madison laughed at something he said. He smiled back. Real. Genuine. Happy.

I wanted to look away but couldn't. This was my punishment. Watching him give someone else everything I'd thrown away.

"He's really talented," Marcus said beside me. "No wonder Madison's falling for him."

"Yeah," I managed to whisper. "No wonder."

The afternoon dragged on forever. Kai fed Madison strawberries. She fed him grapes. They talked and laughed like they'd known each other for years instead of hours.

At one point, Kai played another song. This one was familiar—too familiar. The melody he'd hummed while making breakfast in our tiny apartment. The rhythm he'd tapped on my shoulder while we watched movies.

He was recycling our memories for her.

The betrayal felt like a physical wound.

"You okay?" Ryan asked quietly. "You look kind of pale."

"I'm fine." But my voice shook.

Finally, mercifully, the date ended. Madison practically floated back to where we stood, her face glowing with happiness.

"That was amazing," she gushed. "He's so romantic and talented and sweet. I think I might be falling for him."

The words stabbed deep.

"That's wonderful," I said through numb lips.

"I know we just met, but it feels so right. Like fate brought us together." Madison grabbed my hands, her excitement bubbling over. "Do you believe in fate, Scarlett?"

I used to. Back when I thought Kai and I were destined to be together forever.

"Sometimes," I said carefully.

"I need to go get ready for dinner tonight. Kai's cooking for me. Can you believe it?" Madison squeezed my hands. "I'm so lucky."

She practically danced away, leaving me standing on the beach with my heart in pieces.

The cameras finally stopped rolling. The crew started packing up equipment. I was turning to leave when I felt someone watching me.

Kai stood near the picnic blanket, his guitar case at his feet. The other contestants had wandered back toward the house, and for the first time since his arrival, we were alone.

Almost alone. The cameras were still there, but at least they'd stopped recording.

"That must have been hard to watch," he said quietly.

I wanted to lie. To pretend I didn't care. But I was so tired of pretending.

"Yes."

"Good." The word was cold. "Now you know how I felt when you disappeared."

"Kai, that's not fair—"

"Fair?" He laughed bitterly. "You want to talk about fair? You got to make the choice to leave. I just woke up one morning and you were gone. No note. No explanation. Nothing."

"I had reasons."

"I'm sure you did. But you never gave me a chance to hear them." He picked up his guitar case. "Now I'm here, trying to move on, and you're watching like some kind of ghost I can't escape."

"I didn't ask to be here," I said, my voice rising. "You think I want to watch you fall for someone else?"

"Then leave." His eyes were hard. "Walk away like you're so good at doing."

"I can't. The contract—"

"Right. The money." Kai shook his head. "Always an excuse with you."

He started walking away, and I felt something inside me snap.

"I left because I loved you!" The words exploded out of me. "Your manager said you had to choose between me and your music career. I chose for you because I knew you'd pick me, and I couldn't let you give up your dreams."

Kai stopped walking. His back was to me, shoulders rigid.

"I sacrificed everything so you could be successful," I continued, tears streaming down my face. "I broke both our hearts so you could have the life you deserved. And you did it. You became everything you wanted to be. So yeah, it kills me to watch you with her, but at least you're happy."

The silence stretched so long I thought he might just walk away without responding.

Then he turned around, and the look on his face made my breath catch.

"You're telling me you left because you thought I'd choose you over music?"

"I knew you would. You said it a hundred times."

"Of course I would have chosen you!" His voice cracked. "Music was a dream. You were my life."

The words hung between us like an explosion waiting to happen.

"But your career—"

"Was supposed to be our career. Remember? We were going to do it together. You'd write screenplays, I'd write songs, and we'd build something beautiful." Kai stepped closer, his eyes blazing. "You didn't save my dreams. You destroyed them. Because every song I've written since you left has been about losing you."

I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.

"I thought I was doing the right thing," I whispered.

"You thought wrong." He picked up his guitar case again. "And now we both have to live with that choice."

He walked away, leaving me standing alone on the beach with my whole world crumbling around me.

That night at dinner, I sat at my usual spot at the far end of the table. Kai sat next to Madison, who kept touching his arm and smiling at him like he'd hung the moon.

But something was different. Kai was polite but distant. Madison tried to engage him in conversation, but his answers were short.

She looked confused. Hurt. Like she couldn't figure out what had changed.

Good. Maybe my earlier confession had shaken him. Maybe seeing me watch them together had made him uncomfortable.

Or maybe I was just making everything worse, like I always did.

After dinner, Madison found me in the hallway.

"Can I ask you something?" She bit her lip nervously. "About Kai?"

My heart started racing. "What about him?"

"He was amazing this afternoon, but tonight at dinner he seemed... distant. Like his mind was somewhere else." She looked at me with those trusting eyes. "You know him better than anyone. Is this just who he is? Or did I do something wrong?"

This was it. The perfect opportunity Jake had wanted me to have.

I could tell Madison the truth—that Kai was distracted because of our confrontation on the beach. That he was still hung up on the past.

Or I could plant doubt. Could make her question everything about him.

"Can I give you some advice?" I asked. "Girl to girl?"

"Please." Madison looked desperate.

I took a deep breath, hating myself for what I was about to do.

"Musicians are complicated," I said slowly. "They're incredibly romantic and charming, but their real love is always their music. Everything else—relationships, promises, even people—comes second."

Madison's face fell. "You really think so?"

"I know so." The lies came easier now. "Kai will write you beautiful songs and say beautiful words, but when his next album needs to be recorded, you'll be alone while he's in the studio. When his tour starts, you'll be waiting at home while he's on the road with groupies throwing themselves at him."

"But he seems so genuine—"

"They all do. That's their gift. Making you feel special until something more important comes along." I put my hand on her shoulder. "I'm not saying don't give him a chance. Just... protect your heart. Don't fall too fast."

Madison nodded slowly, tears gathering in her eyes. "Thank you for being honest with me."

After she left, I leaned against the wall and tried to breathe. I'd done it. Planted the poison. Started destroying their connection.

This was my job. This was what I was being paid to do.

So why did I feel like the worst person in the world?

I headed toward my room, desperate to be alone. But as I passed the pool area, I heard footsteps behind me.

"Scarlett."

I turned around to find Kai standing there, his face dark with anger.

"What did you tell her about me?"