Chapter 3

Ryan's custom ringtone started ringing on my phone.

I hesitated, then still picked up.

His voice was thick with barely contained anger.

"You really think pretending Ethan's your boyfriend is gonna make me jealous?

"Did you forget who carried you all night down that mountain when you hurt your ankle? Emma, you need me. You can't just walk away!"

I stayed silent.

Olivia's sugary voice suddenly chimed in from his end.

"Ryan, hurry up! Everyone's waiting to toast us!"

"Alright," Ryan replied, then his voice softened when he turned back to me.

"Olivia and I are just promoting the new show, you know how it is. It's all for publicity—once it's over, I'll set the record straight. Don't get worked up over nothing.

"Just stay home and wait for me. I'll come back after the party. I picked up your favorite dessert on the way."

My thoughts started to wander.

Back in college, we were broke. Ryan wanted to surprise me with one of those trendy, expensive birthday cakes, so he secretly started doing food deliveries during the holidays.

One day, while dropping off an order at a film company, he got scouted by a talent agent and just like that, got pulled into the entertainment world.

I was completely against it—his real dream was working in AI, and if he went into showbiz, he'd probably never live out that dream.

But Ryan signed the contract behind my back.

When I found out, he held me close, his voice choked with sincerity.

"Emma, I don't want you to suffer because of me. I want to make tons of money so you can live well."

Ryan gave up his dream for me and dedicated himself to the entertainment world.

But in showbiz, there were too many pretty faces, and his company never gave him a chance—he just couldn't break through.

So I jumped into the industry too, starting as a manager's assistant. I hustled every way I could, pulling strings and making deals, just to help him land the resources he needed.

We hustled side by side for years—he shot up to superstar status, and I became his ace manager.

All these years, there was always gossip linking him to various starlets.

Every time, he'd quickly explain, saying it was just tabloid garbage and I shouldn't let it bother me.

He'd swear up and down I was the only one he ever loved, and that I'd always be his one and only wife.

And then Olivia showed up...

At a business dinner, she got pressured to drink by some investor who tried to take advantage of her. She barely escaped, stumbling out in a panic.

Ryan happened to walk by and saved her.

Her beautiful face was streaked with fear and tears, her clothes disheveled as she clung to Ryan, completely shaken.

That night, a photo of the two of them trended all over social media.

But that time, Ryan didn't explain anything to me.

When I came back to my senses, Ryan had already hung up.

We'd been through a lot together over the years. Maybe we should talk when he gets back—at least we could end things without drama.

I waited all day and through the night—Ryan never came.

I kept calling until someone finally picked up. But it was Olivia, her voice sickeningly sweet.

"Ryan's in the shower. Need something, Emma? I can pass along a message."

"No, thanks." I hung up.

My nails bit into my palms as tears rolled down my face. Who was I kidding? Of course, it hurt.

I sat on the couch in a daze all night, staring at the ceiling until dawn.

As soon as the sun came up, I texted Ethan.

[I'm ready to join Sunset Media.]

Ethan was thrilled—practically offered to pick me up himself.

I smiled and shook my head. "My contract with Starlight doesn't end for three more days."

After working out my onboarding details with Ethan, I grabbed some documents and headed out.

Ryan had a variety show to shoot today, and the producer had already set up a work meeting with me.

After wrapping up with the producer, I wasn't surprised to find Ryan waiting. He gestured for me to follow him to the makeup room.

The moment Olivia saw Ryan, she latched onto his arm, then gave me a cautious look. "Emma, I was starving last night, so I ate the cake Ryan bought for you. Does that bother you?"

Ryan chuckled and ruffled her hair. "It's just a cake. I'll get you another one today."

Then he paused and glanced at me. "Emma, Olivia's makeup artist called in sick. You're good at makeup—do hers."

I looked at him in disbelief, my body shaking.

Ryan cheated on me, and now he wanted me to do the other woman's makeup?

I shot back, "Doesn't the production team have a makeup artist?

"And even if they don't, can't she do it herself?"

Ryan frowned. "Emma, when did you get so petty?"

I took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm petty. If it doesn't bother you, why don't you do her makeup?"

Ryan paused, catching on that I wasn't backing down anymore. His tone softened. "Fine. I'll get someone from the crew."

The second Ryan left, Olivia dropped the act and sneered. "Emma, you're washed up—why are you still clinging to Ryan? He was all over me last night, couldn't stop saying how hot I am..."

A chill ran through me, disgust churning in my stomach. "You do realize Ryan and I are married, right?"

Olivia rolled her eyes, her voice thick with scorn. "Yeah, I know. Didn't you just use your manager position to trap him into it? If it doesn't work out, there's always divorce."

I was speechless with anger.

I'd assumed she was some naive girl fooled by Ryan. Turns out she knew exactly what she was doing and didn't care.

I couldn't hold back—I strode over and slapped her hard across the face.

Just as Ryan and the makeup artist were about to enter, they heard Olivia cry out.

Ryan freaked out, kicked the door open, and rushed to her side.

He was completely panicked—nothing like his usual composed self.

Olivia's eyes welled up as she clung to him, looking tragic. When she moved her hand from her face, red marks streaked across her cheek.

He glared at me with pure rage. "Emma Sinclair!"

I'd only slapped her once—how did it look this bad?

Something was seriously wrong, and I blurted out, "I didn't..."

Before I could even finish, Ryan slapped me hard across the face.

"Emma, are you seriously saying Olivia cut her own face to frame you? She's an actress. Her face is her career. As an agent, you should know better than anyone how important that is!"

That slap severed the last thread of feeling I had for him.

Ryan started to leave with Olivia in his arms, but I stepped in front of him.

"Hold on."

I handed him a stack of papers with the divorce documents tucked inside. "Sign these before you go."