Chapter 1

Amid the desolation of my loneliest year, I took on a young hunk, Eric Palmer, as my boyfriend, and sponsored him.

Time rolled on, and I had to travel abroad for medical treatment. Eric spent an entire night by my bedside, sobbing his heart out, hoping to change my mind about going alone.

But I was firm. "This is a make-or-break period for your career in the country. I hope to see you win the Best Actor award when I come back."

True to his potential, three years down the line, Eric was crowned the Best Actor.

Yet, the homecoming I'd envisioned was far from what greeted me.

There, in my very own manor, was Lily Monroe, Eric's pampered lover, parading around in my clothes with an air of superiority.

Twirling the precious white ring that rightfully belonged to me, she taunted, "Thanks to me, you're getting a taste of the high-class life you'd never access otherwise.

"But that's all you're getting. Keep your hands off everything, or you'll be in debt for life."

In a flash, I snatched the ring off her finger and landed a stinging slap on her face.

"I just did. What are you gonna do about it?"

*****

Lily was totally floored.

It was a variety show that delved into the homes of celebrities.

Right under the unblinking eyes of the cameras, I landed a stinging slap on the face of the female guest, Lily.

The live-stream chat instantly erupted with fury.

[Who the hell is this gal? How dare she barge into Lily's place and slap her!]

[Where are Lily's on-site fans? Are you guys comatose? Go give this wench a taste of her own medicine!]

[Chill out! We're in a tussle with the security. Once we break through that barrier, we'll make this bitch pay for what she did to Lily!]

"You... You actually laid a hand on me!" Lily, who had always been coddled, was a picture of disbelief.

Her voice quivered with unshed tears as she spat out, "Do you have any idea who I am?"

"What's going on?" Just then, a well-built figure with legs that seemed to go on for miles sauntered in through the doorway.

Without hesitation, Lily spun around and buried herself in his arms. "Eric!"

Eric's brows knitted together as he tenderly ran his fingers over the red mark on her cheek. Then, he turned his head, and in an instant, his breath hitched at the sight of me.

"You... you're back?" he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

I fixed him with a frosty glare, silently demanding an explanation.

One of the show's staff members looked at Eric in a bit of a panic and asked, "Mr. Palmer, do you know this lady?"

"Sure do," Eric replied.

Lily gazed up at him with tear-streaked eyes.

Meanwhile, Lily's fan club members stared at us, their expressions a mix of confusion and shock.

Eric said, "She's just some obsessive simp. Used to be my fan. After I shot her down, she just wouldn't leave me alone."

For a moment, I thought I'd misheard him.

But the others visibly relaxed.

"Damn! Thought there was something between them. Scared the crap out of me. Thought this bitch was trying to steal Lily's man!"

"I'm cracking up. Some girl with a fantasy about Eric. She even tracked him here."

"Our Eric worked his butt off to get where he is today. He found Lily, and they've been through it all together. Does she really think her stalking will get her anywhere?"

I let out a scornful laugh. "Worked his way up?"

He was well aware that if I hadn't spotted him at the acting school, he'd still be knocking on the entertainment industry's door.

At his lowest ebb, clutching his mom's critical illness notice, he'd begged in front of me, "Please, help me out..."

I'd supported him financially until I flew abroad for treatment.

Even though I'd been out of the country for the past three years, every plum opportunity he'd landed was because of me, including this hit variety show.

But Eric only faltered for a second. Then he pulled Lily closer into his embrace.

"I made it on my own. Do you even have a clue about the entertainment world?"

I was so incensed that I let out a bitter laugh.

If I didn't know the industry, how would I have known exactly what he needed to make it big?

I gave him a hard, warning stare. "Eric. Get Lily and the rest of them out of my house. This is the last warning you'll get from me."

Three years had passed, but the power I used to hold over him was still there.

He still got jumpy whenever I shot him that icy glare. But it only lasted a split second.

Eric said, his eyes narrowing, "Looks like you're the one who needs to go. This house is Lily's, not yours."