Chapter 2

Outside the hotel, a black Rolls-Royce was parked.

The window rolled down, revealing a cold, chiseled profile.

Before I could speak, a delicate, surprised voice piped up behind me, "Mr. Grant?"

It was Olivia.

With Ethan Grant and Ryan—the two stars of the wrap party—both gone, there was no reason for the party to continue.

A crowd followed behind, whispering among themselves.

"Isn't that Ethan Grant, CEO of Sunrise Holdings? The youngest billionaire on the Forbes list?"

"Looks like he's here for Emma..."

Ethan ignored everyone else. He just told me, "Get in."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

I could feel stares burning into my back as whispers started up.

"What's going on between Mr. Grant and Emma? Something's definitely up."

"Mr. Grant's a media tycoon—he's worth a thousand times more than Ryan. Why would Emma chase after Ryan if she's got Mr. Grant? Maybe there's some understanding..."

The whispers faded as I turned and caught Ryan glaring, his face thunderous.

But nobody dared cross Ethan—they could only stand there and watch as I got into the car and left.

My phone buzzed—a message from Ryan.

[When did you meet Ethan? How long have you two been together? Emma, how dare you cheat on me!]

I found it hilarious. He was the one who cheated, but now he acted like everyone else played by his rules.

Just as I was about to put my phone away, another message popped up.

[Come back now, and I'll pretend none of this ever happened.]

I blocked him.

Ethan was professional. He gave me a brief look and got straight to the point.

He helped me get away from Ryan, but in exchange, I had to sign with Sunset Media.

"Ms. Sinclair, you're a rare talent. I've wanted to recruit you for a while, but..."

He trailed off—I knew what he meant.

I gave a wry smile. "Let's not talk about the past. I'll definitely consider your offer, Mr. Grant. I just have some loose ends to tie up first—I want to be at my best before starting something new."

"Just let me know when you're ready, Ms. Sinclair."

Ethan pulled away.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside.

This was the apartment Ryan and I bought after we got married. I could still remember how excited we were moving in—every corner of this place held a piece of our happiness.

But as Ryan got busier with work, we hardly ever came back.

I'd barely sat down on the couch when my assistant Lily called.

"Emma, check Twitter now!"

[Top actor Ryan Cooper and rising star Olivia Lane go public with their relationship!]

[This couple is too cute—I'm shipping them so hard!]

Their relationship was trending everywhere. Every hashtag was exploding. It was painfully obvious.

I snapped my phone off, but those words were already burned into my mind.

[Ryan Cooper: Introducing my forever. @Olivia Lane]

[Olivia Lane: And my always. @Ryan Cooper]

I thought I could handle it, but deep down, it hurt.

Ryan and I were together for six years, married for another six—I waited 12 years for him to announce us to the world, but it never happened.

Turns out, going public was never hard for him—he just did it for someone else.

Lily was fuming.

"Emma, this is so unfair! You got hurt, and Ryan hasn't even checked on you, but he's out there flaunting his relationship with Olivia?

"Now everyone's calling you the other woman, but you're his actual wife!

"And you're his manager! He didn't even run any of this by you..."

"Enough, Lily."

I took a deep breath. "My contract with Starlight is almost up. I won't be Ryan's manager much longer."

Lily sounded skeptical. "Emma, can you really let go of Ryan?"

I gave a bitter laugh. Everyone knew I was hopelessly in love with Ryan.

My contract with Starlight was about to expire, but nobody even asked about renewing. They all assumed I'd never leave Ryan anyway.

Ryan had already signed a long-term deal with Starlight with incredible perks—there was no way he'd ever leave.

Honestly, they didn't even have to try to keep me around.

Over the years, I got headhunted by all kinds of companies—every single offer was better than Starlight's. But every time, I chose Ryan.

Especially five years ago, when Sunrise Holdings expanded into film and TV. Ethan personally offered me the CEO position at the newly launched Sunset Media.

I was tempted, but Ryan clung to me all night, eyes red and pleading, begging me not to leave him or Starlight. So I forced myself to let go of that opportunity.

I closed my eyes briefly. Ryan, I was never giving up my life for you again.

Ryan and I went to the same high school. He was the school heartthrob—wealthy family, super popular.

I grew up in an orphanage, shy and insecure, always keeping to myself and hugging the walls.

Our worlds were never supposed to collide.

One time, some girls who always bullied me cornered me in the bathroom, trying to strip me and record it. Ryan showed up out of nowhere and saved me.

From then on, he was always there to protect me.

Then his family went bankrupt, his parents took their own lives, and he fell from grace overnight. He spiraled into depression, burning with fever for three days straight. I stayed by his side the whole time.

We were all each other had, clinging to each other just to survive.

People kept asking if it was really worth throwing away all those chances for him.

Every night, Ryan would hold me close before we fell asleep, and in those moments, I felt like it was.

But now... I knew better.