Chapter 1
My superstar wife, Camila Walker, would never let any guy but me get close to her. Even in group photos, she'd always keep at least a fist's distance from any male celebrity.
But on my birthday, her new co-star posted an update on social media.
In the photo, Camila didn't seem to mind as Joseph Pearson wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
The caption read: [Who spent eight years as a fan and finally became their idol's co-star?
[Go, Joseph! Keep chasing the light (fist)!]
I just dropped a question mark in the comments.
Then I asked: [Is she your wife? So you think you can just hug her?]
Camila called me right after.
She said, "He's just a kid, super excited his fan dream finally came true. You're being way too harsh on him.
"Be good, honey, delete it for me, okay?"
People online started calling me out, saying I was being way too controlling.
Joseph quickly posted another update.
He said: [On the road to chasing my dreams, there will always be misunderstandings, but my idol taught me not to lose heart.]
Seeing all the praise online, I made a call.
The next day, he was replaced as the male lead.
Camila was furious. "Do you have any idea how much this role means to Joseph?
"He spent two whole years just to finally land that audition.
"Are you seriously going to destroy everything he worked for just because of some made-up accusation?"
This was the first time Camila had ever argued with me.
And all because of some rookie actor.
I scoffed, "I'm the one holding all the cards here. If I want someone out, they're out. Why wouldn't I use the power I have?"
This show was a goldmine waiting to happen. The director Conor Baird roped in Camila as the lead, and pulled me in to bankroll the whole thing.
On this project, my word was law.
So why should I throw away my edge and play nice with some rookie who's already showing off online, hugging my wife for all to see?
Sure, the netizens had no clue, but that kid I basically funded growing up? He knew damn well who my wife really was.
"Camila, don't forget who I am," I said, my voice low.
I stood up and cupped her face in my hands.
I said, "I'm your husband. Even if this is a marriage of convenience, that doesn't mean you get to disrespect me."
Besides, it was not like there was nothing between us.
"Like I said, there's really nothing going on between us," Camila said, pushing me away.
She shoved me aside. "We're playing a couple in the show. Are you saying I can't even do my job with him?
"Why do you always have to think the worst of people?"
"Nothing?" I shot back.
I pulled out my phone and showed her the comments.
Under Joseph's post, the comments were blowing up.
[OMG! That scene wasn't even in the script! Joseph's got both hands on Camila's waist. Are they dating or what?]
[Too cute! Everyone knows Camila never lets any guy get closer than a fist in pics.]
[I heard the paparazzi say Camila was secretly married ages ago, but guess those rumors were just nonsense after all.]
Camila frowned.
She said, "People online have no idea what's really going on. You can't take their comments as the truth!"
"And you, Camila, you've been in showbiz forever. Don't tell me you didn't know exactly what would happen when you posted that," I shot back.
Camila hesitated for a moment.
I scoffed. "See? You knew exactly how everyone would see it. You know I'm territorial, but you still let it slide."
"Cory, do you really have to freak out over something so petty?" Camila snapped.
With a sharp crash, the vase shattered on the floor. Camila looked at me, stunned.
I said, "Who are you to tell me what matters and what doesn't?"
We'd been married for five years, always keeping things civil, never crossing the line.
At first, we treated each other like business partners, but after countless moments together, feelings naturally grew. She only ever let me touch her, no one else.
This was the first time we'd ever had a real fight, the first time I ever laid a hand on her.
And it was all because of a boy I'd supported from the very beginning.
"You need to calm down," Camila said, her voice cold.
She grabbed her bag and walked out of the house without another word.
In the living room, my birthday cake was still sitting there, untouched.
The next day, another trending topic blew up online.
Camila quit the show.
The internet was in stitches.
[LOL, that clout-chaser in showbiz just has a bit of cash. He tried to get Joseph kicked out, but ended up making Camila quit instead!]
[The bigger the ego, the harder the fall.]
[So does this mean Camila and Joseph are actually together now?]
[Obviously! Camila never lets any guy touch her, and Joseph was hugging her tight. I'm dying from the cuteness.]
The whole internet was coming for me.
Since our marriage was a business arrangement, our families agreed to keep it under wraps.
But that didn't stop our families from working together all the time.
Some netizens even thought I was just Camila's dream guy, and for a while, I was trending online while they dragged me through the mud.
But Camila had all those posts taken down.
I knew Camila's style. She never did anything without a reason.
She was straight-up challenging me, making it clear she wasn't about to back down.
Conor called me, practically in tears, begging me to tell him where Camila had gone.
Honestly, I had no clue.
After she announced she was quitting, she just vanished. She wouldn't even pick up my calls.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
Joseph just dropped a new post.