Live on Air: Her Public Betrayal Chapter 2

Mario was fiercely possessive. My career as an actress, however, made intimate scenes with co-stars unavoidable. The show with Liam had a kiss scene. When Mario found out, he went ballistic.

He demanded we go public with our relationship, right then and there.

But we were in the middle of a massive publicity campaign for the show, centered on my on-screen romance with Liam. From a professional standpoint, it was the worst possible time. I told Mario we had to wait, at least until the show’s run was over.

His eyes were bloodshot. He gave me a long, deep look, then turned and walked away without another word.

I got swamped with work. By the time I had a moment to breathe and tried to call him, I found he’d blocked me on everything. He refused to see me, vanishing for days.

The next I heard of him was a single post on his social media.

【My girlfriend, @CoraScott.】

Those four words nearly crashed the internet.

But I didn’t know about it at the time. The day he posted it, I collapsed on set.

I woke up a day later in the hospital.

“Ms. Scott,” the doctor said, his eyes full of a terrible pity. “I’m so sorry. It’s late-stage cancer.”

The words didn't register at first. There was no screaming, no hysterical crying. Just a profound, hollow silence in my head.

Before I could fully process it, my phone rang. My agent. He’d been trying to reach me for two days, afraid to bother Mario, and was now unleashing his fury on me. Why did I go public? I had to deny it, immediately, do damage control.

He ranted for half an hour. I didn’t hear most of it. I just kept murmuring, “I’m sorry,” and “I understand,” like an automaton.

After I hung up, I sat on the edge of the hospital bed for a long time. This was the moment I should have been calling Mario. Explaining that the show with Liam was filmed two years ago, before he’d even moved back to the country. Explaining that I loved him, truly loved him, and had never crossed a line with anyone else. Explaining that yes, I wanted to tell the world I was his.

But now… none of it mattered.

How long does someone with late-stage cancer have? Six months? A year?

It was all too short.

And so, Mario, I can’t drag you down with me.

As the last rays of sunset streamed through the window, I finally moved. My fingers found my phone, and I responded to his post.

【This joke isn't funny, @MarioAtkinson.】

Within an hour, my reply had over a million shares. My fans flooded his comments.

Do you have any idea how disgusting this is? Spreading rumors like that!

Get out of the industry, you creep.

As if our Cora would ever look at you.

You got called out. How embarrassing for you.

This is sick. Trying to force a woman to be with you? Pathetic.

Overnight, he became a laughingstock. Rumors swirled that his family, ashamed of the scandal, was threatening to cut him off.

Through it all, Mario said nothing. I expected him to release our old photos, our text messages, anything to prove his innocence. But he did nothing. He just took the abuse, the endless tide of hatred, all of it, alone.

Then, he sent me a voice message.

For the first time, the proud, arrogant Mario Atkinson sounded… broken.

“Cora,” he pleaded, his voice trembling with panic. “Do you love me? Just tell me.”

A sob caught in my throat. I squeezed my eyes shut, swallowing the bitter taste of unshed tears. It took a long moment before I could type a steady reply.

【Not anymore.】

He never messaged me again. A man as proud as Mario would never beg.

And just like that, without another word, we were over.