Chapter 3

That night, Wyatt didn't come home.

I didn't care. I was in my study, working on company documents by myself.

Then my assistant sent me two screenshots.

The first one was from a charity party, packed with the city's elite and industry heavyweights.

Wyatt was all smiles as he introduced Chloe to a highly respected senior producer in the business.

The second screenshot was from Chloe's social media post.

It showed her posing with several industry big shots, with Wyatt standing close to her, looking all cozy.

The caption read: [Thanks to Mr. Fletcher for the introduction, I met so many industry veterans tonight and learned a ton. I'll keep working hard and live up to everyone's expectations.]

My gaze grew colder by the second.

After I kicked him off the set, Wyatt didn't even try to lay low; he was doubling down.

He wanted to use my connections to clear the way for that bitch? In his dreams.

I shot a message to my assistant: [Go see what's going on. Don't let any outsiders throw my name around like it's a free pass.]

[Got it,] my assistant replied.

Not long after, my assistant sent over a live video from the scene.

In the video, producer Margaret Lorne came right out and asked Chloe what big roles she'd played.

Chloe stammered, unable to answer.

Margaret gave her a once-over and sneered, "I get it, young people these days all want shortcuts, but just having a pretty face and knowing how to butter people up won't take you anywhere.

"If you don't have real talent, no matter how hard people try to hype you up, you won't last long."

Then she turned to Wyatt, her words laced with meaning. "Some people really think just because they've made a few movies, they're hot stuff now, huh?

"Funny how they forget who helped them climb up in the first place. Now that they're famous, they've already switched up their arm candy.

"Trust me, the world's full of up-and-coming directors."

As soon as Margaret said that, everyone around started giving Chloe and Wyatt some knowing looks.

People started gossiping about their relationship.

Wyatt's face turned as dark as a thundercloud.

He still tried to explain that he and Chloe were just in a normal boss-and-employee relationship.

But nobody cared about his explanation.

Everyone was quick to claim they were working with Gallagher Group.

Any actor collaborations went through me, period.

After a barrage of sarcastic comments, Chloe and Wyatt made an awkward exit from the scene.

I wasn't surprised by the outcome at all.

News about Chloe trying to snatch my role and even wearing my outfits for the new drama had already become the talk of the industry.

Everyone at the party had known me since my debut; we had nearly a decade of history together.

When I became a top actress, Wyatt wasn't even on the map.

Besides, I wasn't just someone with a name in the industry. I had the whole Gallagher Group behind me.

Back when I first wanted to get into showbiz, my dad set up a media company just for me and made sure I got my start himself.

Even if they didn't care about me, they'd still have to show respect for my dad.

Everyone knew exactly which side to take.

Wyatt came home late at night.

He stormed straight into the study, his anger barely contained.

"Rose, Ms. Lorne was going after Chloe out of the blue. Was that your idea?" Wyatt said, his voice sharp.

I set down the documents and met his gaze, completely unfazed.

Wyatt wouldn't let up, frustration clear in his voice.

"We've already left the crew. Isn't that what you wanted?" he shot back. "How long are you planning to keep messing with Chloe?"

Watching his helpless fury, I gave a cold, mocking smile that never reached my eyes.

"Wyatt, what makes you so sure I was behind it?" I replied coolly. "You took the invitation that was meant for me and used it to pull strings for her at that event. I haven't even confronted you about that yet.

"And now you're the one pointing fingers, acting all innocent? Let me remind you, nobody in this business is clueless. Everyone sees right through what you two have been doing.

"If you've got any conscience left, ask yourself. Are people really out to get you, or are you just facing the consequences of your own actions?"

Wyatt was so stunned by my words that he couldn't get a single word out, his chest rising and falling with fury.

All he could do was point at me, his face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger.

I slapped his hand away, curling my lips into a cold, mocking smile.

"Me? Really?" I sneered. "Don't forget what you promised me. You said you'd write scripts just for me, for the rest of your life. Only for me."

"You walk in, don't bother to explain a thing, and just storm in here accusing me. Wyatt, do you even treat me like your wife anymore?"

Under my relentless questioning, Wyatt was silent for a long time before he finally forced the words out, his voice heavy with discomfort.

"She's got potential, and she's really working hard. I just thought I'd help her out a bit," he muttered. "We're just colleagues, that's all. Nothing is going on between us."

I shot him a look full of disappointment.

"Innocent? Really?" I scoffed. "Wyatt, for her, you tampered with my script behind my back, ignored my warnings, and even publicly turned against me.

"You really think nothing is going on between you two? Potential? There are tons of up-and-coming actresses out there. Are you planning to play savior for all of them?"

I continued, "Even if she's got potential, at the end of the day, she's just a newcomer. You're trying to rocket her straight to the top. Are you really helping her, or just throwing her to the wolves?

"Let's not even get into whether a newbie like her can actually handle an S+ blockbuster. Even if she could pull it off, that script still belongs to me."

I snapped, "I spent three years grinding away at this script, revising it again and again. Did you ever even notice how much I put into it?

"What gives you the right to just say 'you think' and toss aside everything I've worked for? Who made you the one to call all the shots without even asking me?

"Why did you choose this project over all the others? She's an actress. Right, but I'm an actress too, and I deserve a good script just as much as she does."

"Why is it so easy for you to overlook my feelings and help her?" I pressed, hurt clear in my voice. "Wyatt, as your wife, do I get even the basic respect from you?"

"Do you really love me?" I whispered, the question hanging heavy in the air.

Wyatt was silent for a long time, the tension around him slowly fading away.

He looked up at me, guilt written all over his face, his eyes red with emotion.

"I'm sorry," Wyatt said softly. "It's my fault. I never wanted to hurt you. I love you. You're the only one in my heart."

As he spoke, he came over and pulled me into his arms, his chest hot against mine.

He said, "I just saw her, all alone on set, running around trying out for roles and getting pushed around. It reminded me of when I first started out.

"No connections, no one to rely on, just getting looked down on and treated like I was nothing. I was wrong. You can take it out on me, yell at me, do whatever you want. I deserve it. Honestly, I never meant to hurt you."

After all these years together, it was the first time I'd ever seen Wyatt look so hurt and defeated, letting his guard down like this.

Feeling his tears soaking into my shoulder, I couldn't help but sigh; no matter how angry I'd been, my heart was already starting to melt.

"I'll let it go this time," I said, my voice soft but resolute. "But when it comes to Chloe, I don't want to hear her name from you ever again, and I absolutely don't want to see you have anything to do with her.

"If she's really talented, let her prove herself without your help. This is the last time, Wyatt."

I pushed him away, looked him straight in the eye, his eyes still puffy and red, and spelled it out, cold and clear, "If you ever do this again, we're getting a divorce. I won't tolerate being betrayed, ever."

Wyatt was shaking, fear written all over him.

His eyes were red and watery, his voice catching in his throat. "Alright, I'll never agree to a divorce."

He held me so tight, like he never wanted to let me go, almost crushing me against his chest.