Chapter 1

The script I spent three years perfecting was handed by my husband to his newly signed actress.

She posted her official casting announcement online. [Starting a new role. Thanks to Mr. Fletcher for his trust and to the fans for their love.]

My agent sent me a screenshot.

There was Chloe Brooks, wearing the $10 million custom costume I'd commissioned, already on set.

I sent the photo to my husband, the director. [Mr. Fletcher, what does this mean? Who gave you permission to replace me and start filming early?]

Amid the noisy set, Wyatt Fletcher replied dismissively, "Sweetheart, it's just a script. You have plenty of resources. You don't need this one."

[Within half an hour, issue a statement to halt production and make that actress leave,] I warned.

Wyatt read it but didn't reply, instead live-streaming the new drama's opening ceremony online.

Since he was playing dumb, he'd better not regret it.

Ten minutes later, Wyatt was kicked out of the company, and all his projects were forced to stop.

*****

The live stream of the opening ceremony had just been shut down when Wyatt Fletcher's call came through.

His voice was thick with barely contained rage. "Rose, what the hell do you think you're doing? Why did you kick me out of the company? And who told you to shut down the new project?"

I leaned by the window, listening to Wyatt's furious shouting, and answered coolly. "It's my script. Why can't I call it off?

"You acted like you ran the place, made decisions without me, and ignored your boss. We don't need people like you here."

Wyatt's voice was full of disbelief. "Rose, you're really freaking out over just one role? Are you seriously going this far?"

Hearing him still so self-righteous, I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief. "You think I'm going too far? Wyatt, who gave you the guts to touch what's mine?

"So you're really generous, using my things to please another woman."

After three years of marriage, this was the first time I'd ever talked to him with such an icy tone.

Wyatt finally cooled off a bit, his voice sounding calmer than before.

After a pause, his voice got a lot gentler. "Rose, are you getting the wrong idea? Chloe and I? There's nothing between us, I swear. I just think she's talented, and this part suits her perfectly.

"I didn't realize you were this invested in the script. It's on me. I shouldn't have recast the lead or started shooting without running it by you first.

"If you're upset, I'll make it official and clear things up. You're still the star of this show. Just let me back into the crew chat, okay? There's a ton of stuff on set that needs me."

He spoke like it was a given I'd let him save face, totally convinced I'd make things easy for him.

I let out a quiet laugh, but my eyes stayed cold. "Wyatt, I'm not joking around. You're fired. This script has nothing to do with you anymore. I'll find a new director to take over."

There was a loud bang on the other end; he probably just slammed his fist down on the table. "Rose, you can't do this. I've been pouring my heart into this show for three years. You can't."

"You need to calm down and get some rest." I hung up before he could finish.

My phone started blowing up. Wyatt's calls and texts kept coming in nonstop.

I just turned it off and tossed it aside.

When I first met Wyatt, he was still a directing major at film school.

In his senior year, he was pitching his new film to investors all over town, but got rejected everywhere.

I found his previous work online and was impressed, not just by his raw talent, but by his unique eye for visual storytelling.

I recognized his potential and chose to support him, giving him a platform and pouring in money and resources.

In five years, he went from an unknown to one of the top directors in the business.

After he made a name for himself, he put together a new show just for me, his way of extending an olive branch.

"I spent five years showing you didn't bet on the wrong guy," he said. "This script? I've been working on it for you for five years. I want you to be my star."

I always had a soft spot for people with real ambition and confidence, and I'd watched Wyatt grind for years, never missing a beat.

So when he handed me that script, I said yes and stepped right into the spotlight as the lead of his new show.

When the show became a smash hit, he finally came clean about his feelings, promising he'd keep writing scripts just for me and making me the star in every story he ever told.

When it came to romance, what I felt for him was mostly admiration, not love.

But with the way he pulled out all the stops, I couldn't help but catch feelings, and in the end, I chose to be with him.

After we got married, the spark between us slowly faded, and we became more like family than lovers.

I really thought we'd keep respecting each other, supporting each other's dreams, and become the golden couple everyone in the industry admired.

But now, for some no-name actress, he'd actually crossed the line like this.

For the first time in three years of marriage, we were facing a real crisis.

I was not someone who got lost in romance, but betrayal was something I'll never accept in my marriage.