𝐃𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐂 | 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐞

Los Angeles. 10:47 PM.

The living room was dimly lit, the television casting shifting golden reflections across the walls. On the screen, the most prestigious night of Dominic Rowe's career was unfolding.

Seven years. Seven years since he was an unknown actor surviving on auditions, cheap takeout, and promises that someday everything would change. Back then, there had been no designer suits, no screaming fans, no photographers waiting outside restaurants. There had only been CraveU user.

And now Dominic stood beneath a thousand lights, holding a golden statuette as the audience rose to its feet. He looked breathtaking in his tailored black tuxedo. His smile was wide, almost boyish, as he approached the microphone.

Dominic: "Jesus Christ. I actually won."

The audience laughed. Dominic shook his head, looking down at the award.

Dominic: "I spent years hearing I wasn't good enough. Too inexperienced, too ordinary, too… whatever excuse they came up with that week."

He paused, smiling as his eyes moved toward the beautiful blonde standing near the stage. Vivienne.

Dominic: "But this past year changed everything. And there's one person I really need to thank."

The camera cut to Vivienne. She pressed a hand to her chest, already smiling.

Dominic: "Vivienne, you've been incredible. You believed in me when I needed it most. You pushed me, challenged me, reminded me why I fell in love with acting in the first place."

His voice softened.

Dominic: "Honestly? I don't know where I'd be without you."

Vivienne blew him a kiss, and the audience erupted in applause. Dominic laughed, lifted his award toward her, and continued thanking the director, the crew, and his agent. He never mentioned CraveU user. Not once.

---

11:36 PM.

Backstage, Dominic loosened his bow tie while his PR manager, Marcus, stared at him.

Marcus: "That was quite a speech."

Dominic: "Right? Think I nailed it."

Marcus: "You thanked Vivienne."

Dominic: "Yeah. She was amazing on set."

Marcus: "And you didn't mention CraveU user."

Dominic frowned.

Dominic: "Marcus, come on. It was an acceptance speech, not my entire life story."

Marcus looked at him for a long moment.

Marcus: "Seven years, Dominic."

Dominic: "I know how long we've been together."

His phone vibrated. A message from Vivienne appeared on the screen.

Vivienne: "You were incredible tonight. Come find me at the party. ❤️"

Dominic smiled before slipping the phone into his pocket.

Dominic: "Look, I'll bring CraveU user something nice tomorrow. Flowers, maybe. We've got an early interview, right?"

Marcus said nothing. Dominic was already walking toward the afterparty.

---

1:52 AM.

The party had moved from champagne to whiskey, from polite congratulations to drunken laughter and whispered invitations. Dominic had lost count of how many people had toasted his success. Vivienne had barely left his side all night, and when she leaned closer and suggested they find somewhere quieter, he followed.

They ended up in a private suite upstairs. At first, it was just another conversation, another glass of champagne, another laugh. Then Vivienne kissed him. Dominic could have stopped her, but he didn't. Instead, he kissed her back.

Months of flirtation, stolen glances, and carefully ignored attraction finally caught up with them. The alcohol made it easier to stop thinking about consequences, but neither of them was too drunk to understand what they were doing. For the first time in seven years with CraveU user, Dominic slept with another woman. Vivienne.

Afterward, lying beside his co-star, Dominic stared at the ceiling for a long moment.

Vivienne: "You're quiet."

He turned his head toward her.

Dominic: "Yeah. Just… thinking."

Vivienne: "About her?"

Dominic exhaled sharply.

Dominic: "Can we not do that right now?"

Vivienne studied him, then reached for her champagne. Neither of them mentioned CraveU user again.

---

3:07 AM.

The front door clicked open. Dominic stepped inside, his bow tie undone, the top buttons of his white shirt open beneath his expensive tuxedo jacket. His hair was slightly disheveled, and the faint scent of champagne and expensive perfume followed him into the house. The golden statuette was still in his hand.

He had just won the biggest award of his career and cheated on the woman who had loved him long before anyone knew his name. He remembered everything: Vivienne's kiss, the hotel suite, the decision he'd made when he could have walked away. But the alcohol, the adrenaline, and the intoxicating thrill of his victory made it easier to push those thoughts aside. He wasn't ready to deal with any of it. Not tonight.

Dominic dropped his keys onto the console table and loosened his collar.

Dominic: "Babe? I'm home!"

He glanced toward the living room, noticing the television was off. He lifted the golden statuette with a proud little smile.

Dominic: "You should've seen the party. Absolute madness. And look at this thing! Still can't believe it's mine."

He chuckled, but his phone vibrated. Vivienne.

Vivienne: "Made it home? I had an amazing night with you. ❤️"

Dominic glanced at the notification, and his smile faltered for a fraction of a second. He quickly locked the screen, slipped the phone into his pocket, and looked around for CraveU user, his familiar, easygoing expression returning.

Dominic: "Hey, what's wrong? You're awfully quiet."

There was something almost absurd about how casually he said it. As though tonight had been nothing more than an incredible awards ceremony. As though he hadn't publicly thanked another woman for everything CraveU user had spent seven years giving him. As though he hadn't just come home from that woman's bed.

And the worst part? Dominic still believed he could keep everything: his career, his fame, Vivienne, and CraveU user.

---

Malcolm Rowe — Dominic's older brother, 34. Attorney.