Becoming Independent

It was like the entire room had frozen over. A blizzard created by Keira's tears swept over, shaking everyone deeply.

"M—miss!" June frantically came to her side, hands gently patting her back, comforting the girl with practiced movements. "Don't cause yourself such distress!"

"Keira…" Matthew finally spoke after sitting in silence since they gathered. He arrived in front of her with equal quickness with June, hands awkwardly hung in the air, thinking of how to comfort her. "Why is she crying again!?" Not knowing what to do, he lashed out at Dylan.

Keira's trembling figure from that day had greatly impacted his conscience. It took an hour to calm the crying girl down, allowing her to fall asleep on his lap. He had never noticed how dull and lifeless Keira's room was until he tucked her in. The coldness of the muted colors of her room, and the unflattering colorless clothing in her closet was more than enough to make his heart feel tight and oppressed.

Perhaps because he was feeling a sense of guilt, Matthew couldn't bear to be around Keira since then. He actively busied himself with work, taking on modeling and commercials without a moment's rest.

He had long forgotten what Keira looked like as a child. Did she act like she did now? He couldn't say. His whole life had only seen Selene, while Keira was simply a decoration to her brilliance.

"…" Dylan had never felt so inexplicable before. The tips of his fingers went numb. He seldom interacted with Keira. They had more of an acquaintance relationship than one of brother and sister, although recently it had been a lot more interesting.

Every time they interacted led to him disciplining her, whether it was making her kneel while he studied in his private library or forcing her to cook him something repeatedly until she mastered the recipe, Keira never once reacted.

He couldn't believe the emotionless girl was now crying at his words for the first time, seemingly more human than he had ever perceived her to be. It made his heart itch uncomfortably, causing his whole body to tense from unease.

Amidst the chaos in their minds, Keira allowed a few tears to stain her face before grabbing June's hand. She didn't give Selene time to interrupt, quickly cutting her off with her actions.

"Let's go, June." She glanced at Rita, sensing the distress in Rita's anxious body language. The two shared an understanding, nodding to each other.

"You are free to nullify Keira's and I's contract. She will be leaving with me." Rita's professionalism returned minutely, speaking with confidence as she bid the Castillos adieu.

She glanced at her long-time friend one last time, heart aching silently as she left. She doubted that they would ever be on friendly terms again.

The three left without taking a single thing, never once glancing back to glimpse the state of their opposition.

Keira gambled everything she had on Rita, playing a dangerous game of guessing, hoping that the other would choose her. Every minute she spent in their presence was calculated, sewing her existence into Rita's and the other's minds, forcefully making them like her through emotional manipulation.

To think that it had worked was a testament to how important acting could be in changing one's life. She had to thank Selene for teaching her so diligently.

I should have done this a long time ago.

"Pack my things in the office. I don't think I will be coming back there." Rita called her assistant, informing them of what had happened. The three had long driven off into the busy street, cruising toward Rita's home.

"Miss…I think you should head back and apologize to the Masters." June felt guilt eating at her heart every time she gazed at Keira.

How could her elegant Young Miss survive outside on her own? June couldn't bear the thought of Keira struggling. She knew how much the Castillos meant to Keira, she couldn't fathom the heartbreak her Miss was experiencing.

"Apologize for what exactly?" Rita had long hung up her phone. Her eyes occasionally glanced at the people through the rear-view mirror. "Keira hasn't done anything worth apologizing for. If anything, I should be the one apologizing to Keira."

June bowed her head in shame. She knew that Rita was right, Keira had never done anything worth blaming. Such a wonderful and obedient child, like Keira, was always the one being treated ill by others, yet it was always her apologizing.

"It's alright. I have thought about leaving for a while now." Keira wasn't sure how to ease the emotional June. "That house has no place for us, June. We're not like…them."

Her words struck both lady's hearts. June cried softly to herself, apologizing for the misery she might have caused Keira, after all, she was the one who gave birth to her.

"I'm so sorry, Miss…"

"I like being with June the most. Please, stay with me from now on, I'll take care of you."

Rita felt her heart warm from the gentle interaction of the two. Her mind began to calculate the possible futures Keira could take.

"Is there something you have already planned? Otherwise, I can make some calls with foreign entertainment companies. It would be best to become a star overseas instead of here for now."

"I will sign with Pierce Entertainment."

"Pierce?" Rita's eyes widened with surprise. "Is it because of Austin…?"

"No, I made a promise to an old lady that I would sign with her company. I should follow through with my promises, right?"

Rita understood her words immediately. She nodded and promised to contact Madame Hillary the moment she got home.

"You can stay with me until the signing with Pierce Entertainment. They will give you a place to stay along with all the necessities needed."

"Thank you, Rita." The three were quiet the rest of the way. Once arrived, Rita guided them to the kitchen for a quick snack.

"My husband is overseas. I will introduce him to you when he gets back." The three of them drank some tea and ate some biscuits with the help of June's preparations.

"I don't mean to pry, but I am truly curious. Do you not want a child?" Keira had long wondered about this. Rita was a prominent existence behind the scenes of showbiz.

It's thanks to Rita that mother reached the likes of 'The Queen of the Screens.'

"It's not that I don't want one…" Her gaze drooped, staring intently at the tea. A small smile spread along her lips. It was warm and pitiful. "Life can be unfair…sometimes."

KNOCK KNOCK

Thanks to the sudden knock, Keira was spared from the oppressive atmosphere. She wasn't sure how to reply to such an answer. She knew best that there was nothing that could comfort the unfairness of a person's situation.

"I packed the most important and personal stuff. The rest will have to be reviewed by the company before I can pack it." The assistant arrived with two large boxes. "Oh! I also got dinner for you guys."

"Thanks, Maya. I'll make sure you either get a promotion or a large bonus before I leave." After hearing that, Maya couldn't help but frown slightly. Her eyes were beaming with worry.

"Are you truly leaving, Madame Rita? Maybe their anger will subside after a few hours. I don't believe the Castillos have hearts of stones towards their friend and daughter."

Keira nearly laughed at those words. The Castillos have a heart? If they did, she would have felt it a long time ago.

"It's unfortunate. Don't think about it too much, a beginning always has an end. Did you also bring the clothes I asked for?"

"Yes, I brought two pairs of sleepwear and a few different daily outfits. The boutique has an opening tomorrow at 4 pm for fittings of ready-to-wear outfits and customizations. Do you need me to drive you there?"

"No, I won't be troubling you for a while. Thanks a lot, Maya. Enjoy the rest of your day."

After saying their goodbyes, Keira offered to help carry a few things, but the two ladies declined, forcing her to sit and relax in the living room.

"June and I will take care of these things. You shouldn't bother with such minor troubles like these. Go and relax."

Having nothing better to do, Keira laid down on the sofa, eyes closed while her mind wandered.

How do I read the novel again?

She felt like everything had been twisted. The Selene that she knew and the same one in the book was only ever interested in Eren Adler. Her sudden shift in interest toward Austin was mind-numbing to Keira.

Nowhere in the book was there ever a description of Selene's feelings for anyone other than Eren. It was the same in my past life also…

What is she planning? The novel only ever talked about their shared interest, soft brushes of their hands, heart fluttering at the sound of their voices, and the occasional secret glances they gave each other.

Thinking of that, Keira suddenly felt annoyed.

My role in the book is to oppose her and be the bad person who tries to steal everything from Selene. What changed?

A fleeting thought floated into her mind. She couldn't help but sit up, eyes opening only to squint them with contemplation.

Is it because I don't like Eren Adler enough? Did Selene's interest shift because I like…

Well…do I?

She brushed the thought aside, trying to focus more on the sudden changes to the Selene she knew.

It's the same with acting. She joined a project a year earlier than she did. Was it because I pursued it earlier this time around?

There was also the 'accidental' exposing of my birth secret…is that connected to my sudden change in appearance?

"Hah." A soft chuckle escaped her lips. She felt her skull tingle with numbness. Interesting.

I'll test this theory out a couple more times just to make sure.

If I can truly influence Selene with my change, "This will be fun."

She could barely wait for the future.

That night, she tossed and turned until morning.

.

.

.

Morning came quickly. Rita sipped on her coffee, looking pensively at the young lady's pale features. June busied herself in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for all of them. She decided to take on the role she had been doing in the Castillos, serving Keira and Rita.

Keira failed to persuade her, only reluctantly agreeing after seeing the determination on June's face. Rita had no other option but to agree once the girl herself said that it was fine.

"Are you having trouble sleeping? I've been meaning to ask this for a while now."

"No, I've been sleeping well." Well…better than I previously did before I died…

"Let's get you checked at the hospital. Any health concern should be taken seriously. Your body is no longer yours alone, that is what an actor is." Rita still felt worried. A lot of celebrities in showbiz often suffer from minor insomnia, she wasn't willing to let it go unless the doctor said otherwise.

"Alright." Seeing the worry on Rita's face, Keira felt like she should agree. It should be fine…

Although she hated the hospital when her family was around, going to one alone or with Rita shouldn't be a problem for Keira.

After breakfast, June and Rita both helped style her for the visit to Pierce Entertainment's headquarters. Last night, after dinner, Rita made a few phone calls and urged everyone to get some rest.

"I've already let Director Liam know of the current situation. Now we just have to secure a contract with the Pierces." Rita spoke as they entered the car. "Madame Hillary was greatly amused when she heard about it." Her eyes swept toward Keira with curiosity. She was dying to ask how Keira had become acquainted with such a person.

"Like Grandmother like Grandson," Keira muttered under her breath. "I met her when I was hospitalized. She was lonely and wanted me to accompany her for her meal."

"Oh? How fortunate. Madame Hillary is a difficult person to please. She's as sly as a fox."

"I must have been fortunate."

"You are just lovely, that's all." Rita grinned and drove to their destination.

If the Castillos were the wealthiest in the city, the Pierces were the most influential. Keira couldn't help but gasp at the large building in front of her.

The large curvatures of the pillars extended a few stories high, on it were delicate carvings, like a work of art. The building looked like a large structure from a fantasy world, different from the modern glass buildings of the Castillos.

It stood on a large open land, independent from all others, separated by a beautiful garden and field of beautifully kept grass, making it breathtaking.

"What an odd place for an entertainment company's headquarters…" She couldn't help but mutter with amazement once they entered.

"You should get used to it." The familiar voice of an elderly lady greeted them the moment they passed the security checkpoint. "Your mother is awfully unpleasant. She has kept you away for so long, Dear."

Madame Hillary had come to greet them, but she wasn't alone.

Is he so free? Why is he everywhere?