His Tattoo, My Ring: Exposing the Billionaire’s Fake Bride Chapter 1

A photo leaked online.

It showed the lean, tensed waist of Xander Sterling—the heir to the Sterling tech empire—covered in a massive tattoo of a Hibiscus.

A hand, wearing a pink diamond ring that cost more than a private jet, was pressed firmly against his rock-hard abs.

Fingers tipped with blood-red polish rested right in the center of the bloom.

It was pure, unadulterated fire.

That same night, A-list starlet Seraphina Frost posted a photo of a ring.

It was a perfect match for the pink diamond in the leak.

The internet went nuclear. Everyone was congratulating the "it-couple" on their secret engagement.

Only I knew the truth.

She was clout-chasing.

Because that hand in the photo… was mine.

* * *

I’m a "nobody" in Hollywood.

Two years since my debut, and I’ve only booked three shows—all minor supporting roles.

It’s not because I lack talent or a "sugar daddy" to bankroll my career.

It’s because I have a boyfriend who is a world-class jealousy addict.

Xander Sterling.

He can’t stand the idea of me doing a romantic scene, and he hates it when I’m away on location for months. He’d honestly prefer it if I were tethered to him at all times.

As a result, I’ve remained a fringe actress, hovering at the bottom of the A-list.

My agent finally booked me a spot on a high-profile reality show to get my face out there.

The twist? I’d be sharing the stage with Seraphina Frost, the lead from a fantasy epic I once played a maid in.

The same Seraphina currently "confirming" her engagement to my boyfriend.

…

The show was live-streamed with a real-time fan chat.

The host announced: "Let’s play a game. Seraphina and Scarlett, you’ll both draw a challenge from the jar."

In typical reality TV fashion, the "random" draw was rigged.

Seraphina went first and pulled out a card the producers had clearly planted:

[Cook a home-style meal and invite a close friend to the set to dine with you.]

The chat immediately lost its mind:

[Chat: This was SO planned! They want her to invite the Sterling Heir!]

[Chat: If Xander Sterling shows up, this show’s ratings will break the internet!]

[Chat: I need to see Seraphina and Xander being cute together. Goals!]

Xander Sterling is a legend in the city.

Pedigree, lethal good looks, and a collection of vintage Ferraris that could fund a small country.

The rumors about him and Seraphina started a year ago when she "accidentally" posted a photo of a custom silver Ferrari identical to one of his.

Over the next twelve months, she dropped hints—matching watches, same-day vacation spots, and eventually landing an endorsement deal for a luxury brand owned by Sterling Global.

Her fans ate it up. They called it the "modern-day fairy tale."

The peak was three days ago.

Xander had posted that "thirst trap" photo on his private social media.

His tensed abs, the Hibiscus tattoo, and that hand with the red nails and the pink diamond.

Seraphina’s "matching" ring post that night was seen as the ultimate confirmation.

The internet was already planning their wedding.

But I knew better.

I took that photo while I was pinned under him in a moment of… celebration.

The original photo included his face—wearing a pair of ridiculous cat ears I’d forced on him—but he’d cropped the top half before posting.

The host looked at Seraphina. "So, Seraphina, who are you inviting? Could it be the man everyone is talking about?"

Seraphina glanced at the monitor, playing coy. "He’s incredibly busy, but… usually, if I call, he drops everything for me."

A soft blush crept onto her cheeks. "Let me try him."

The host leaned in. "We have to know—what is his name in your contacts?"

Seraphina turned her phone to the camera. The contact name was just one letter: [X].

The chat went into a frenzy over the "intimacy" of the nickname.

Seraphina smirked and hit dial.