Chapter 2

Jay was a major influencer, and he'd had my back more than once before. Tons of people supported him.

Suddenly, the whole internet was in an uproar.

Amy grinned and said, "Because of Jay's post, a bunch of people are actually backing you now. If this keeps up... Wait, the Pierce Group's official account just posted. Could it be Mr. Pierce? Awesome, that's exactly what I was hoping for.

"There's no way he'd just stand by while his wife gets dragged like this. If he speaks up for you, that would be huge."

But before she could finish, her face suddenly fell, all the excitement gone in an instant.

I pulled out my phone and checked the news online.

The Pierce Group's official account posted, but it didn't back me up.

The post read: [Ms. Lily White has never been a homewrecker. Any more rumors and the Pierce Group will take legal action.]

The official post was like fuel to the fire for all the Edward-Lily shippers.

It left my supporters with nothing to say.

Amy looked really down, but she wanted to say something to make me feel better.

I shook my head and said, "It's fine. I knew how this would end the moment Lily showed up again. Even if she hadn't come back, I was already set on divorcing Edward."

Amy's jaw dropped. She exclaimed, "What did you just say?"

I knew exactly why she was so stunned. After all, I'd been through way nastier online storms before and never once mentioned divorce.

Back then, I used to believe there was something worth fighting for in this marriage.

I kept blaming myself, always thinking I was never enough.

When Edward called me dramatic, I forced myself to toughen up.

When he said I should let my talent speak for itself, I worked my ass off to improve my acting.

But after five years of reality hitting me over and over, I finally woke up.

It was never supposed to be me who had to change.

My hope for this marriage gradually turned into disappointment, and now, there was not even disappointment left.

Honestly, I owe Edward a thank you for that.

I was really not "dramatic" anymore.

I used to tear up at the slightest thing, but now, even the nastiest comments online didn't faze me at all.

My tangled fate with Edward began five years ago.

Five years ago, my grandfather got seriously ill, and it was the Pierce Group's cutting-edge medical technology initiative that ended up saving his life.

While I was there for my grandfather, I met Edward for the first time.

I'd just graduated from film school back then, still a total newbie in the real world.

Lily was an upperclassman at school. She'd starred in a few lukewarm movies, but she was always trending online.

People called her the "fallen heiress."

Her mom wasn't the legal wife of the CEO of White Group, but her rumored boyfriend was the heir to the Pierce Group.

When high society drama collided with the entertainment industry, it was always headline gossip.

For reasons nobody knew, Lily suddenly broke up with Edward and moved overseas.

Soon enough, another guy's figure kept showing up on her social media.

Back then, I'd often bring over baskets of my grandpa's homegrown vegetables to the Pierce Group offices.

My grandpa was stubborn. He always said that if someone did him a favor, he had to return it. So every month, he insisted I deliver his pesticide-free fruits and veggies.

Each time, I'd just drop the basket off with the secretary and leave.

But that one time, I had already gotten into the elevator when I got a call from Edward.

"Are you leaving already? Want to grab dinner together?" he asked.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thrilled to hear that.

I wasn't any different from other girls: totally starstruck by Edward.

He took over the family business when he was still young, but unlike most trust fund kids, he was level-headed and never acted entitled.

Plus, he had this aloof, almost icy aura about him, and those sharp, unsmiling features that made him look even more untouchable.

At dinner, I noticed Edward seemed a bit down.

I racked my brain, told him silly jokes, and even acted goofy: anything to try to lift his spirits.

Finally, he cracked a smile.

He said, "Claire, you've really got a great vibe."

After that, he started reaching out to me more and more often.

Sometimes we'd just grab a bite, sometimes he'd show up to watch me on the big screen, and other times we'd hit up a concert together.

I could sense that deep down, he was really lonely.

My take back then was simple: he'd saved my grandpa, so if my awkward jokes could cheer him up even a little, that was my small way of returning the favor.

Honestly, just being friends with him was already more than I could ask for.

But then, one night, Edward called me. He was completely drunk.

I rushed over and found him sitting by the river, all alone, with empty beer bottles scattered everywhere.

I tried to help him up, but he was so strong and wouldn't listen. Before I knew it, he'd pulled me right into his arms.

When his lips pressed against mine in a burning kiss, I was left completely dazed.

Just my luck: the tabloids snapped a shot of Edward pulling me in for a kiss, and the next day, it blew up on social media, landing us right on the hot search.

I'd just snagged the Best Newcomer award, but suddenly everyone was calling me a calculating bitch, saying I was just trying to climb the social ladder.

The online hate was relentless. Some people even claimed I'd set a trap for Edward and masterminded the whole photo leak just to get attention.

I was panicking and called Edward, frantically trying to tell him it wasn't my fault.

Edward didn't say anything for what felt like forever; then, suddenly, he asked, "Claire, do you want to get married?"