"I think I've always known it was you," she whispered.
His breath hitched.
Melissa inhaled. "Tell me I made the right choice."
And just like that he smiled.
"You did."
Melissa had finally chosen.
But just because a choice was made didn't mean the drama was over.
Because fame still demanded her attention.
And not everyone was ready to let her go.
Melissa Kingsley thought choosing was the hardest part.
She was wrong.
Because now, she had to deal with the consequences.
Jaden took the news… well, badly.
"Seriously?" he scoffed, crossing his arms. "You want him?"
Melissa sighed. "It's not about winning or losing, Jaden."
Jaden shook his head, frustration written all over his features. "I don't lose, Melissa. And trust me, you'll regret this."
Her stomach twisted.
Then came Jordan.
Quiet. Calm. Too calm.
"I already knew," he admitted.
Melissa swallowed. "You're okay?"
Jordan nodded once. "I'll survive."
But something in his voice told her that maybe, it wasn't that simple.
Melissa had finally chosen him.
But even Ethan had doubts.
"You sure?" he asked, voice lower than usual. "Because I don't want to be the guy you settle for."
Melissa exhaled. Stepped closer.
"You're not."
And for the first time, Ethan smiled—really smiled.
Because finally, after years of missteps, missed chances, and unresolved feelings Melissa was his.
But was it too late for them to really make it work?
Just when Melissa thought the storm was over her phone buzzed.
Vanessa.
Vanessa: You need to see this NOW.
Melissa frowned, clicked the link Vanessa sent
And froze.
Because there, splashed across the tabloids, was a headline that changed everything.
"Melissa Kingsley Caught in Secret Romance, But What She Doesn't Know Will Break Her."
And just like that her world shattered.
Melissa had made her choice.
But was it a mistake?
And more importantly, what was she about to uncover?
Melissa Kingsley had survived a lot; the chaos of fame, heartbreak, and a love triangle that felt more like a battlefield.
But this?
This was something else entirely.
She stared at the headline, her stomach twisting.
"Melissa Kingsley Caught in Secret Romance,But What She Doesn't Know Will Break Her."
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
Because the article wasn't just gossip.
It was real.
And the truth waiting inside?
Would change everything.
Melissa scrolled slowly, her fingers shaking.
Then she saw it.
A photo.
Ethan Clarke. Jaden Parker. Jordan Parker.
And Vanessa her manager.
Together. Talking. Scheming.
And the caption?
"The men fighting for Melissa Kingsley, caught in a backroom deal."
Melissa felt her entire world tilt.
Melissa called Vanessa instantly, her voice sharp.
"What is this?" she demanded.
Vanessa sighed. "Melissa you need to calm down"
"I will NOT calm down!" Melissa snapped. "Were they playing me?"
A long pause.
Then—Vanessa finally admitted it.
"Yes."
Melissa froze.
Her vision blurred.
Her pulse pounded.
The men she had been choosing between had been making their own choices behind her back.
Melissa confronted them all.
Ethan, Jaden, Jordan.
One by one, she demanded the truth.
"You were all in on this?" she asked, voice low, dangerous.
Ethan swallowed hard. "Melissa—"
"DON'T," she snapped.
Jaden raised his hands. "It was just business. Your career. Your publicity..."
Melissa laughed bitterly. "So, I was just a game to you?"
Jordan sighed. "It was never meant to be like this."
Melissa shook her head, stepping back.
Because she suddenly realized the truth.
None of them had ever been real with her.
Melissa Kingsley was done playing games.
She had trusted them. Loved one of them. Considered the others.
And now she was walking away.
Because maybe, just maybe—Melissa was about to rewrite her own story.
Without them.
Without anyone controlling her fate.
Just herself.
Melissa Kingsley had always let others dictate her life.
Her career. Her love story. Her choices.
But not anymore.
She was done.
Done with the lies. Done with being someone's story instead of her own.
Now?
She was about to rewrite everything.
Walking Away
Melissa packed her bags.
She ignored the calls, texts, apologies.
Ethan. Jaden. Jordan.
Each tried to reach her. Each had excuses, regrets, explanations.
And Melissa?
She had nothing left to say.
Because she wasn't just leaving them.
She was taking herself back.
The industry still wanted her.
Fame was waiting.
Vanessa had lined up meetings, tour planning, brand deals but Melissa walked into that office with a new plan.
"I'm doing this on my terms," she announced.
Vanessa blinked. "Melissa..."
"No more games. No more manipulation. If I'm going to be in this industry, it's going to be as me. Not some publicity stunt."
Vanessa sighed. "That's not how this works."
Melissa smiled. "It is now."
And just like that, she took control of her own destiny.
One person wasn't willing to let go quietly.
Ethan Clarke.
He showed up one last time, standing in front of her, eyes filled with something unreadable.
"This is really it?" he asked.
Melissa nodded. "It has to be."
Ethan sighed, rubbing his jaw. "I hate that I lost you."
Melissa swallowed. "You never had me."
And that hurt more than either of them expected.
But Melissa wasn't going back.
She was moving forward.
Melissa Kingsley is free.
She has her career, her future, her power and for the first time, she's choosing herself.
No more games. No more waiting. No more losing herself in love.
Just Melissa, rising.
And the world?
Better be ready.
Melissa Kingsley was done with the past.
No more heartbreak. No more distractions. No more playing someone else's game.
Now?
She was stepping into her own spotlight.
And this time, no one was pulling the strings.
Melissa had officially launched her first solo project, no gimmicks, no scandals, no love triangles.
Just her.
Her music. Her story. Her power.
The industry took notice.
The press called her unstoppable.
The fans? They rallied behind her like never before.
Melissa Kingsley was no longer defined by the people she had loved.
She was defining herself.
Of course, just when Melissa thought she had put it all behind her, the past had a way of creeping back in.
Because one night after a massive studio session, after interviews, after another exhausting but exhilarating day
She opened her phone.
And saw his name.
Ethan Clarke.
Message: I heard your song. I miss you.
Melissa's breath hitched.
Because even after everything, after the betrayal, the heartbreak, the choices she had made
Her heart still knew him.
But this time?
The choice wasn't about him.
It was about her.
Melissa Kingsley is at the top of her game.
But just because she's moving forward doesn't mean she's ready to forget.
Does she answer Ethan?
Does she finally let go for good?
Or is there still something left between them?