Twisted Ties of Love

"Interstellar" was all set to start filming. Thanks to the generous funding from Izabella and the recent success of "Who's the Ghost," investors were lining up to get a piece of the action.

The director had selected the filming locations and Casey was about to leave for at least a month. It was the first time he and Izabella would be apart for such a long period. Izabella was packing Casey's suitcase, cramming in everything he might need for the trip.

She pulled out separate bags from the bottom of the closet for his different needs, categorized everything he would wear or use, and labeled them to prevent any confusion.

His flight was scheduled for 2 pm, so after lunch, Izabella would have just enough time to send him off. Casey was preparing lunch, and when he went to call Izabella, he found that she had already finished packing his luggage.

Looking at the two stuffed suitcases, Casey exclaimed, "Is all this necessary?"

"You're going away for a month or two, and the shooting locations vary, so I packed extra clothes considering the weather difference. Here are your winter clothes in this suitcase, and your summer clothes in that one. I've also packed two pairs of shoes for you, any more wouldn't fit. Your assistant can buy more for you when you get there."

"All toiletries are in there as well. The toothbrushes at the hotels are generally not the best, and I know you prefer this soft-bristled brand. Also, I checked the weather forecast, and there's a considerable temperature difference at the shooting location, so take care of your health and avoid catching a cold. I've kept all the medicines you usually use in the suitcase. It's the first thing you'll see when you open it." "Also, remember to apply sunscreen regularly once you're there. The UV radiation is intense, and you don't want to get sunburned."

As Izabella listed each item, she became increasingly worried about Casey, "Stay safe when you're out there. Call me every day, or at least send a text if you're too tired." Izabella looked up, her bright eyes gazing at Casey, the concerned expression dripping, which tugged one's heartstrings.

Casey pulled Izabella into his arm, "I suddenly don't want to leave anymore."

Izabella leaned onto his shoulder, smiling, "Well, I'm waiting for you to make money and win some awards for the company."

"Alright, all the awards I win will be yours."

It was hard for Izabella to say goodbye. As she first learned that he'd be away for one to two months, she hadn't felt anything different. However, now she realized how distressed it would be. Everyone had things they desired to achieve. "Interstellar" was the gift she had prepared for Casey, and a good partner should never hold the other back.

Casey's future was promising, and after a brief embrace, she would have to let him go to pursue his career.

It may not be so bad about one-to-two-month separation. At lease she could take some days' leave to see him if she couldn't stand the distance any longer.

Casey had the same idea. He wanted to end the trip as quick as possible, and if the shooting couldn't be finished on time, he planned to have few days' leave to see Izabella. Casey had prepared all of Izabella's favorite dishes for lunch.

After they had eaten and cleaned the dishes, it was half past twelve, time to leave. The driver and assistant were there to pick up Casey and his luggage.

Casey was strong, able to carry two cases of 34 inch effortlessly.

"I'll be back soon. If anything happens, call me, or reach out to my parents, or Toby. I won't feel at ease unless he's with you."

"Alright, just send me a text once you get there."

Casey got into the car, and kept looking back at Izabella in the rear-view mirror until she was out of sight.

At the airport, the assistant tried to help Casey with the luggage.

Casey promptly refused. These were the items that Izabella had packed for him, and he wasn't going to let anyone else handle them.

The assistant awkwardly withdrew his hand, wondering whether Casey had just threatened him. He was supposed to help with the luggage. Then why was Casey acting like he didn't need him at all? Casey signed at the waiting lounge, which grabbed the attention of his assistant immediately.

"I've already missed her."

The assistant echoed, "It doesn't matter the time. The hardest part is when people are departing, but it'll be better."

Casey flicked a glance at him, "Looks like you're quite an expert."

The assistant touched his head, a bit shy, "Actually, I've been married and had two kids."

He was right, It was difficult to notice that.

"I was like you before. Always missed her every time we separated, even couldn't eat well."

Casey listened carefully, nodding in agreement.

"How about now?"

"Now I miss them also, but the feeling gets less intense."

That means for a couple, the longer time they stay, the high possibility their love would disappear? Casey thought.

"What kind of wedding you and your wife held back then?"

"Just like others. We don't have many rules on that. Are you going to propose to Izabella?”

Casey's ears started becoming red. Recently he watched Blood Ties, and in there, Izabella was extremely stunning when she married the king, wearing a crown and a gorgeous robe.

He had never seen anyone so charming in such dress. Casey was quite traditional, who always longed for the scene where Izabella was wearing formal dress and completing things with him in conformity with their custom.

As it turned out, there was no such thing as one would get used to the other with time passing. Instead, he'd miss Izabella more with each passing moment. He had to stay focused during filming, and he wanted to finish as quickly as possible.

Casey had the competence. But frequent issues with the other actors were slowing things down. Casey was on the verge of losing his temper when one of the crew members handed him a phone. "Izabella's calling for you."

Casey's mood instantly brightened.

Everyone on set was used to this by now. Izabella was the elixir that kept Casey's spirits high, and as long as she called him every day, he was more cooperative during filming.

Izabella was in good spirit, and coaxed Casey like usual.

"I miss you," Casey's voice was filled with longing.

"Be good, and focus on your work. We can video chat later tonight."

Izabella didn't respond to his admission of missing her, and Casey felt a pang of fear. He remembered what the assistant had told him earlier - over time, people get used to being apart. Was Izabella getting used to his absence?

Izabella's calls were always brief, considering the filming schedule of the production crew, never more than five minutes.

"How's work these days?" Casey asked.

"Not too bad. I've got a few things on my plate, but I'll sort them out soon."

Izabella missed Casey quite a bit. With him not around, she was alone at home every day. She didn't even have someone to tease, which made life a little less enjoyable. But recently, a bit of excitement had come to fill her time.

Bell's "family" had all came looking for her in J City.

Izabella put her work on hold, assigned someone to keep an eye on her family, and booked a flight to J City.

As Blood Ties aired, the show's popularity grew, and more and more people started to know who Izabella was.

The show was loved by everyone, from kids as young as five to grandmas in their eighties. Whenever people turned on their TVs, Blood Ties was their first pick.

It wasn't surprising that Blood Ties was a hit. The quality of TV shows had been deteriorating, either with poor editing or plots that were all over the place.

Blood Ties was a rare gem, a show with a female lead, no naive and innocent characters, no phony female supporting role, and wicked character who got forcefully redeemed when it was her time to exit the show.

With the show's popularity, it was bound to attract attention.

The Salotti family, after receiving 20 thousand dollars from Bell, built a new house.

The Salotti family consisted of four members: Bell's parents, Ron and Myra Salotti, their son Fredric Salotti, and their grandson Gary Salotti.

The Salotti family was not wealthy. The two elderly had no money, and their son Fredric was fond of smoking, drinking, and gambling. If it wasn't for the money they got from Bell, they'd probably still be living in a hovel.

Fredric was a good-for-nothing. His wife despised him and left him after giving birth to their child.

Now, he was planning to remarry,

el.

but he had no money. During these times, he would think of his sister Bell. If she was still here, he could've sent her to a pig farmer in the neighboring village as a bride, and he would've gotten quite a hefty money in return, which would've been enough for him to remarry.

Fredric was unemployed and lazy, never doing any farming work. He spent his days loitering around the town, scrounging for food and drinks. When he ran out of money, he would mooch off his parents. One day, he was eating at a diner with a few friends, and the TV in the diner was airing Blood Ties.

"Hey, Fredric, doesn't the woman on the TV look like your pretty sister?"

Fredric looked up casually, and his gaze froze. The woman on the TV was stunningly beautiful with an amazing presence, and she oddly resembled his good-for-nothing sister.

Bell's only mexit was her looks. She

was so pretty that she didn't seem like she could've been born into the Salotti family. With a beautiful daughter like that, her parents were happy because they could marry her to someone with money and then get benefit.

In the village, the money they could get was usually around 8 to 9 thousand from sending their daughter to marry. But for someone as pretty as Bell, the man in his forties who proposed to her was willing to give them 16 thousand.

Back then, they were ready to let the man take Bell away, but they lost sight of her for one night, and she ran away.

In the end, they didn't know where Bell got 20 thousand from, but she wanted to sever ties with the Salotti family, or else she threatened to kill herself. They had no choice but to agree.

Fredric looked at the woman on the TV, and it took him a while to realize, "Who's that?"

"You don't know? It's the hottest TV show these days. The actress's name is Izabella. Doesn't she look a lot like your sister?"

She did, even their last names were the same. But how could Bell become a famous actress?

Fredric pondered, then he saw a red mole behind the woman's ear on the TV, and he froze.

"I have to go. You guys cover for me." Fredric went to an internet cafe and searched for the TV show and the cast list.

He clicked on "Izabella" and quickly found her profile. Her age matched Bell's, and her debut photo from three years ago looked very different from now.

Fredric couldn't recognize her at first glance, but when he saw her photo from three years ago, it was indeed Bell.

Who would've thought of that? Bell had made it big and became a popular young actress, starring in TV shows and films. He looked at the box office earnings of the film-over 600 million. He had never seen that much money in his life.

This was a fortune. He had struck it rich.

Fredric took photos with his phone and ran back home.

"Mom, we're rich! We're rich!" Fredric ran into the house from the yard.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

"Did you win the lottery?" Myra looked up at Fredric.

"Mom." Fredric continued, "This is even better than winning the lottery. Have you ever seen 600 million? Let me tell you, our little Bell has struck it rich. She's made it."

"What can she possibly achieve?" Myra snorted. She was a money-drain, not even able to compete with her grandson. She'd been gone for so long without visiting them. She was probably dead.

Myra was cradling her grandson. Fredric walked over, took out his phone, and showed her, "Mom, guess who this is?" He first showed her Bell's photo from two years ago.

"Isn't this that deadbeat Bell? How do you have her photo?"

"Look at this one."

She looked like a completely different person, but if they only looked at her features, they could tell it was the same one.

Fredric smiled and said, "Mom, let

me tell you, ourE

our Bell is now a

big-time actress. Her TV show is

airing everywhere. I didn't recognize her at first. I just thought she looked familiar. Then I searched for information about her online and it was indeed her. She's changed her name to Izabella. She's also starred in a movie that's earned over 600 million at the box office."