Chapter 3
Joe lied to his followers by giving out a fake address, and the whole thing exploded online.
Some people urged everyone to stay rational, saying that celebrities weren't required to reveal their home addresses.
But others felt that if Joe didn't want to share his address, he shouldn't pretend to accept gifts from fans and betray their trust.
Some fans totally lost it and started hunting for his real address, but instead, they dug up evidence that he might actually be in a real relationship.
After that, people began pointing out that a bunch of his Instagram posts looked like he was dropping hints to someone special.
For a while, the rumor mill exploded.
Hashtags like [Joe Single Is Just A Lie] and [Refund Now] kept popping up on the trending list, and Joe had no choice but to lie low at home to avoid the storm.
All sorts of influencers started weighing in, debating whether celebrities, essentially products, were committing fraud when they lied to fans just to keep up their perfect image.
People were also arguing about whether celebrities owe it to their fans to stay pure or remain unattached.
Whatever the answer was, it was obvious that Joe's fans just couldn't handle it.
Comments roasting Joe were everywhere, and his hashtag was flooded with posts from fans announcing they were unfollowing him.
I let out a long sigh of relief.
This time, the hardcore fans couldn't pin it on me anymore.
Finally, I could get a good night's sleep. I didn't have to get startled by every little sound or worry every time someone knocked on my door.
But the very next day, Joe's apology video shot straight to the top of the trending list.
In the video, his eyes were red and puffy, and he was on the verge of tears more than once before he finally managed to speak.
He said, "I'm really sorry. I let my emotions get the better of me.
"But I didn't give a fake address on purpose. Lynn and I fought, and in the heat of the moment, she sent the fans' gifts back.
"Yes, I'm married. Her name is Lynn Smith."
I was about to lose it: Lynn Smith was me.
Joe continued, "I've been in this business for eight years, taking on all kinds of roles, and you guys have always shown me so much love.
"Before I met Lynn, I was always trying to be the best version of myself. I'm sure you all noticed.
"But love just happens, no rhyme or reason."
While he spoke, a bittersweet smile played on his lips.
Then he began to share the story of 'us,' his tone soft and full of emotion.
Joe's PR statement was top-notch. The way he spun that love story was actually pretty touching.
If only I weren't the heroine in his story.
Joe said, "It's all my fault. I got so wrapped up in my work lately that I ended up neglecting Lynn.
"That's why she sent the fans' gifts back. But now, with this new identity, I'll show everyone the perfect side of me.
"From now on, I'll keep working at it, trying to find that balance between my career and my love life."
In the comments, tons of fans were already swept away by his deep, heartfelt confession.
One commented: [We really blamed Joe for nothing. Joe, we believe in you.]
Another commented: [I'm not even a fan, but this moved me. He truly loves Lynn.]
Someone commented: [I've been stanning Joe for five years, and now I find out he is just a sweet, hopeless romantic? Help, I love him even more.]
One commented: [Being a lovesick puppy doesn't stop our boy from hustling for his career. He still keeps us in his heart.]
Overnight, I became the wife Joe revealed to the world.
Meanwhile, his actual wife just vanished in the whirlwind of online gossip.
I was so mad that I could clench my jaw till my teeth cracked. That was low, even for Joe.
He played the loving husband card to redeem himself, turning me into a stand-in for his actual wife.
People online were digging into every detail of my life, putting me on trial again and again, and I even had to worry about what those obsessed fans might do.