My Ex Fired Me Without Recognizing Me

I was broke, so I took a job where getting yelled at was the entire job description.

Before I went, I sent a cautious message. [Is his temper really that bad?] [Worse than you can imagine.] So I put on sunglasses and a face mask, showed up, and braced myself for the abuse.

Then I saw the director. My gentle, kindhearted exboyfriend. He had dated me for three years without ever raising his voice at me. Now I was getting paid to let him tear me apart.

Chapter 1 “Him?” My voice shook.

The man beside me folded his arms and followed my gaze. “Yep.” Then he gave me a disapproving onceover. “Do you really need to cover up that much?” I gritted my teeth. “Getting screamed at in person is humiliating.” Thank God I had come prepared: cap, mask, oversized sunglasses, the works.

No paycheck was big enough to make me knowingly take abuse from my ex. “Fair.” He sighed. “I'll make you his production assistant.

Give it a month, okay?” Not far away, a man lounged in a chair as if he didn't have a care in the world.

In the short time we'd been standing there, several people had approached him and slunk away looking devastated. My new coworker explained, “He's tired from yelling.

This is him calm.” I stared at him. “Is he really that awful?” He laughed. “Come on.” As we approached, that icy gaze finally landed on us.

Nolan Hawthorne pressed his lips into a hard line and looked at the man beside me. “Still mad at me, Dylan? Is that why you brought a thief to rob me?” A thief?

All I had on was a cap, a mask, and sunglasses.

How did that make me a thief? “No, no.” Dylan gave an awkward laugh. “She's the new assistant I found for you.” I quietly stepped forward.

Nolan's sharp gaze swept over me. “I can't tell if it's a man, a woman, or a ghost under there, and you want me to take it on as my assistant?

What is this, a shelter?” I had no words. Forcing my voice into a higher pitch, I said, “I'm a woman.” Nolan's eyelid twitched.

Disgust immediately crossed his face. “And she's a lunatic. Get her out of here.” Dylan cleared his throat. “I handpicked her, actually.

She's having a bad skin reaction right now, and it looks pretty rough, so she needs to keep her face covered for a while.” I nodded along.

Nolan's patience snapped. “Then she belongs in a hospital. Does this look like a hospital to you?” The entire set fell silent.

Even Dylan looked stumped. “Well…” I spoke softly. “It's not like I asked for this. The reaction keeps coming back.” To my surprise, Nolan went still.

His merciless gaze examined me all over again. But there was still no emotion in those beautiful dark eyes. He looked at me like I was an object.

Behind my sunglasses, my lashes trembled. The truth was, Nolan had always been gentle, kind, and nearly perfect with me. I had never seen this side of him.

Six months ago, when we broke up, those same beautiful eyes had rested on me with unbearable tenderness. “I'm sorry we didn't make it,” he'd said.

Then he'd folded me into his arms and gently patted my back. “You'll have to walk the rest of the road without me. I hope you're always happy, Jenna.” Our breakup had been calm.

Civil. Almost distant. But for the first time, I wondered if the perfect man I'd dated for three years had been a part he played just for me.

Chapter 2 Throughout our three years together, I'd always felt as though I'd never truly reached Nolan's heart. Apparently, I'd been right.

There was an entire side of him I had never known. Nolan gave a cold laugh. “Fine. Let her stay. She'll run away on her own soon enough.” Just then, a cat leaped into his lap.

Its fur wasn't exactly clean. Judging by Nolan's face, he was about to tell the cat to get lost too. But when we'd been together, he used to feed strays with me.

He used to help me rescue them. Fortunately, he only frowned. After a full minute, he tipped his chin at me. “Take this cat away.” “Sure.” I carefully reached for the tabby.

It let me lift it without a struggle. Then Nolan asked abruptly, “What's that smell on you?” I blinked. “Probably my laundry detergent? It's only eight dollars a bottle.

Want the link?” The corner of his mouth pulled tight. Sure enough, disgust flashed between his brows again. “No.” Yet after he said it, his thoughts seemed to drift.

Even the tension in his face eased a little. I'd always known Nolan came from money.

His family had even been happy to let him study the arts and become a director as a respectable passion project. I hadn't known he was actually directing a movie now.

The actors had some name recognition, but Nolan tore through every last one of them. The man who had recruited me online was Dylan Parker. He'd told me to call him Dylan.

I asked, “Dylan, is Nolan… actually any good?” He knew exactly what I meant and smiled. “Hawthorne Pictures buys good scripts, finances the movies, and hands them to Nolan to play with.” I paused.

The next second, he pushed me forward. “You're up. Go!” Nolan was ripping into the male lead. “Could you possibly make that any sleazier?

You're playing a genius detective like a bargainbin gigolo.” The actor looked sick.

After him, Nolan turned his scorn on the supporting actress. “Did your expression change once in the last five minutes?

Your father died, your boyfriend dumped you, and you found a clue to the killer.

Somehow, your face stayed exactly the same.” Her eyes reddened. “Sorry to interrupt.” I stepped in at exactly the right moment, holding out a cup of coffee.

The actors looked at me with naked gratitude. Because now it was my turn. Nolan glanced at the cup and sneered. “Don't tell me you brewed that with sewer water.

The smell alone makes me nauseous. What beans did you use? What temperature was the water? Did you add flavored creamer?

I hate that stuff.” I stood there in helpless silence. “Dressed like that, you already look like you're trying to poison me. Make another one.

If it's this bad again, you can go back to the hospital tomorrow and get that allergy treated.” “…Okay.” When he turned back toward the male lead, I hurried forward. “How about I make five different cups and let you pick one?” The air seemed to freeze.

Nolan laughed in disbelief. “What is wrong with you? Did Dylan bring you here to piss me off and shorten my life?” Chapter 3 He rubbed between his brows.

His voice had gone eerily calm. “You can go to the hospital right now.

While you're there, have them drain whatever flooded your brain.” According to Dylan, any normal assistant or crew member would have stormed off in fury or burst into tears after that.

I wasn't normal. I was a professional. And my tolerance was much higher than most people's. “Nolan, don't get angry. Why waste your energy on them?” A bright, clear voice rang out.

A woman in full hair and makeup approached with a smile and drew both actors behind her. Dylan had told me there was exactly one person Nolan never yelled at: his leading actress.

Her family had money too, and they had known the Hawthornes for generations. Putting her in Nolan's movie was probably both families' way of giving them time together.

Nolan pressed his lips together, but some of the darkness left his face. The woman seized the opening. “I'll run the scene with them again.

Why don't you have your coffee and give us a minute, Director Hawthorne?” She took the cup from my hand and offered it to him. After several seconds, he accepted it.

The male lead and the supporting actress followed her away as though she'd saved their lives. Dylan pulled me aside too. He shrugged. “See?

That's what being the family friend since childhood gets you.” Since childhood… I lowered my eyes.

Nolan and I had dated for three years, and I'd never known there was a woman like that in his life. I really hadn't known him at all.

I took the water Dylan handed me, pulled down my mask, and drank. “If she's here, why hire me?” Dylan rolled his eyes. “Sienna Blackwell is a movie star.

She can't come save everyone every second of the day. As Nolan's assistant, you can absorb the abuse whenever we need you.

Much more efficient.” I nodded. “Good point.” He handed me a bag of chips. Sienna had Nolan under control, so I finally got a break. I kept eating Dylan's snacks.

The mask had been suffocating me all day. Dylan studied me. “You've got a great jawline. Nice nose and mouth, too.

What made you take this job?” “The money.” “Fair.” He looked ready to keep chatting when a low, cool voice cut in. “Enjoying yourselves?” Dylan dropped the chips the moment he saw who it was. “We just took a quick break.

We're done now.” The familiar voice sent an involuntary tremor through me. I didn't dare look up. I fumbled my mask back into place.

Not far away, Nolan's dark eyes narrowed. “Are you sure you're having a skin reaction?” Dylan immediately jumped in for me. “She has a few flaky patches.

You can't see them from a distance, but up close they're pretty alarming.” To sell the lie, I scratched my cheek as unattractively as possible. Nolan looked away in irritation.

After a moment, he clicked his tongue. “Get over here.” Dylan and I obediently approached.

Nolan pointed at Dylan. “Tell the location unit we're shutting down for two hours.” Chapter 4 Then he pointed at me. “Keep an eye on Sienna.

Don't let that… male lead get too close to her.” Nolan couldn't remember the actor's name. He simply called him “the male lead.” Dylan reassured me, “Sienna's really nice.

You don't need to be nervous.” I nodded and smiled. “Nolan may be vicious, but he cares about her.” “Definitely. Other than Sienna, I've never seen Nolan spare anyone.

Although…” He paused, thinking. “He had an exgirlfriend. He hardly ever mentioned her.

Sienna knew about her, but she didn't seem impressed.” I went still. “What?” Dylan lowered his voice and leaned closer. “I also heard that when the Hawthornes found out, they strongly opposed the relationship.

Mrs. Hawthorne even went to Sienna and told her Nolan was just having fun. Sienna was very understanding. She said it was normal for a man like Nolan to get distracted now and then.

Once he got bored, he'd settle down.” I said nothing. My fingertips curled inward. There was so much I'd never known.

Dylan sighed. “Everyone has always considered Nolan and Sienna the obvious match. When Sienna wanted to become an actress, nobody supported her. No one was in her corner.

Then Nolan went into the arts and became a director, and her family finally eased up.” I hesitated before asking, “Why?” Dylan looked at me as if the answer were obvious. “If it weren't for Sienna, Nolan would've studied economics or business.

After devotion like that, how could either family keep objecting?” “Oh,” I murmured. Dylan clicked his tongue. “You know, Nolan's ex is kind of pathetic.

He probably saved every ounce of tenderness he had for Sienna.” I fell silent. During our three years together, I had never once thought of myself as pathetic.

Nolan had been handsome, rich, gentle, and attentive. Whenever I was upset, he held me close and soothed me.

He dreamed up surprise after surprise and always found a way to solve my problems. Even our breakup had been handled with grace.

But hearing Dylan's version of the story left me strangely lost. Beneath the relationship I treasured were secrets and humiliations I had never seen.

In everyone else's story, I was only the diversion Nolan would eventually tire of. “Are you two planning to stand there all day?” Nolan's icy voice cut through the air.

I immediately headed for Sienna's dressing room. The male lead and the supporting actress were gathered around her, complaining over each other.

When I entered, Sienna gave me a pleasant nod and asked no questions. She seemed to have guessed Nolan would send someone to watch her.

The supporting actress pouted at her. “You're the only one he'll listen to, Sienna.

He practically yelled me off the set.” Sienna poked her playfully. “He may listen to me, but you still have to do the scene properly.” The male lead sighed and pointed at me. “Did you hear what this assistant did?

She offered to make Director Hawthorne five cups of coffee so he could choose one. His face went black.

He told her to get her head examined.” Sienna laughed and gave me a casual glance. “Nolan has always had that temper.” “He wouldn't touch the coffee when she handed it to him,” the supporting actress said. “But the second it came from you, he took it.” Sienna smiled, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

Chapter 5 The other two immediately began teasing her. I kept my eyes down. Only after they left to resume filming did I look up. Sienna turned to me. “This room is a mess.

Clean it up and put everything away.” I blinked. “That's not part of my job.” The male lead scoffed. “Work is work.

You're Director Hawthorne's assistant, which basically makes you Sienna's assistant too. She can give you orders.

Surely you understand that much.” The supporting actress chimed in with him. Sienna said coolly, “She's new. It's normal that she doesn't understand yet.

She will.” I went quiet, then nodded. After they left, I found Dylan. When I told him what had happened, he waved it away. “Why would you clean it?

I'll get a stagehand.” “Dylan, you're a good person.” He laughed. “Don't get sentimental. Nolan still needs you around to yell at.

Who else is going to share my suffering?” I stared at him. Then Dylan seemed to remember something. “The crew's going out for dinner tonight.

Want to come?” I shook my head. “No.” Dinner meant eating. Eating meant taking off my mask. No, thank you. He didn't push. “All right. We're wrapping early tonight anyway.

Go home, recover, and don't let Nolan destroy your mental health.” Back home, I stretched until my shoulders popped.

After spending all day under a cap, mask, and sunglasses, even my hair felt greasy. I showered, put on a sheet mask, and watched a few episodes of my show.

Just as I was about to go to bed, Dylan called.

I had a bad feeling. “Hello?” His voice came through in a panic. “Nolan had a few drinks, and his temper is back.” “So?” “Come take some of the heat!” “I'm off the clock.” “I'll pay you extra.” “Send me the address.” I put my disguise back on and went to meet them.

Nobody there dared to breathe too loudly. Sienna was present, but she had one hand pressed to her forehead and seemed just as helpless as everyone else.

Nolan leaned back in his chair, his gaze glacial. Only the faint redness around his eyes betrayed the fact that he'd been drinking.

Dylan dragged me over, plainly hoping Nolan would direct all that fury at me. Nolan didn't even spare me a glance. The air remained frozen.

At last, he looked at Dylan. “Call Jenna Reed.” I stopped breathing. Sienna's head snapped up.

Dylan stared at him. “Who?” Then he saw Sienna's expression and caught on. “But I don't have her number.” Nolan parted his lips. “I'll give it to you.

Dial.” Dylan quickly opened the keypad on his phone. In a cold, steady voice, Nolan recited one digit at a time. With every number, another tremor ran through me.

It was my phone number. I shoved a hand into my pocket. Had I put my phone on silent? Why couldn't I remember? Forget it. I'd hold down the power button and turn it off.

The instant my finger touched the button, a cheerful ringtone burst from my pocket. Chapter 6