Chapter 2
That night, Alexander showed me with his actions that letting myself go came with a price.
My hands were tied to the headboard with his tie.
I squirmed and struggled, trying to break free.
The alcohol was really starting to hit me now.
Big patches of rashes were breaking out all over my skin.
I felt absolutely miserable.
Alexander stood by the bed, looking down at me with that cold, commanding gaze.
He smirked, "Emma, it's only been a month, and you've gotten gutsy."
He leaned in, pinching my chin so hard that it felt like he might shatter it.
The intense pain jolted me back to reality.
Before he could take things any further, I whimpered, my voice shaking, "It hurts..."
"Why's your temper running so hot tonight?" Alexander said.
Alexander was always so proud and arrogant.
Honestly, my actions tonight were like slapping him across the face.
I shouldn't have acted like that.
But when I saw her face, I just lost control.
Ever since I married Alexander, he had always had other women—there had never been a shortage.
I just got used to it.
I never made a scene, never stirred up drama.
Everyone in our circle called me the perfect wife—so sweet and well-behaved.
Even after he eventually got bored with them, I'd help him sort out his flings, like the world's most considerate wife.
They were all different, but they all had that same vibe.
Somehow, in their looks, personality, or interests, every single one had something about them that was just like Lily Evans.
But tonight's girl? She was the spitting image of Lily—closer than anyone I'd seen in the last five years.
Alexander asked, "So, tell me, what exactly did you do wrong?"
His eyes were so deep that I couldn't read a thing in them. With my legs pinned, Alexander questioned me in a quiet, almost dangerous tone.
I tried several times to force the words out, but my throat wouldn't obey.
No matter how much I wanted to speak, I just couldn't say it.
I was so insanely jealous of Lily.
Just mentioning her name hurt so much, it felt like someone was ripping the skin right off my bones.
My stubbornness only fueled Alexander's rage.
He punished me again and again, making sure I understood the consequences of defiance.
*****
When I woke up the next morning, I was alone in the room.
The butler knocked softly, a hint of sympathy in his eyes as he looked at me.
"Ms. Rivers, lunch is ready," he said.
I nodded. "Where's Alexander?"
"Mr. Grant has already left," the butler replied.
When I looked in the mirror, the cluster of red marks scattered across my neck looked painfully conspicuous.
I threw a blanket over my shoulders before going downstairs for lunch.
Halfway through lunch, I got a message from my agent.
[Emma, I'll come pick you up for your audition this afternoon.]
I went upstairs and piled on layers of foundation, trying to cover the marks on my neck, but even then, I barely managed to hide them.
The audition went off without a hitch.
The director didn't even hesitate. He practically chose me on the spot, declaring I was made for the role.
But just one day before we were supposed to start shooting, we suddenly got told that they had decided someone else fit the part even better.
My agent, Vivian, just wouldn't give up. She went from one industry party to the next, drinks in hand, all to hunt down any gossip.
Turns out, I'd really pissed someone off.
But when we tried to dig deeper, suddenly everyone went silent.
I'd spent five years in the entertainment world, rising from a total D-lister to someone people actually recognized.
I always worked hard and treated everyone with kindness.
Then, while watching the live stream of the show's opening ceremony, I saw someone whose face looked so much like Lily's that it was almost uncanny.
Suddenly, it all made sense.
Turns out, it wasn't just about offending someone.
Someone was actually eyeing what should have been mine.
But then I felt really confused.
We'd been married for three years, keeping it hidden from the public.
Alexander had never tried to interfere in my work.
Was it really just because I upset him on his birthday?
Was this his way of getting back at me?
On my way to see Alexander, all those years of our secret marriage came flooding back to me.
Alexander never loved me, and I knew that from day one.
But I'd always believed I never failed in my role as his wife.
Whenever it was about him, I gave it my all—nothing ever slipped past me, no matter how small.
"What's wrong?" Alexander answered the phone.
His tone was distant, yet there was an edge of surprise.
I'd almost never called him myself before.
I always used to go through his assistant instead.
I pressed myself to stay calm as I said, "Replace the female lead in Blossoms."
I was barely holding it together.
The line went quiet for a few seconds.
I hardly ever asked him for anything, so when I finally did, it must have piqued his interest.
I could hear the rustle of agreement as he set down a folder.
"So, the always aloof Ms. Rivers is finally throwing her weight around?" Alexander said.
I said, "Just because she looks like Lily Evans, you think you can steal the role I've spent half a year preparing for?"
My voice shook with all the hurt and frustration I'd been holding in.
The line went quiet again.
No doubt about it—Alexander was genuinely angry this time.
Lily was the person Alexander cared for more than anyone.
She was the pain buried deep inside his heart.
For years, we both understood that her name was never to be mentioned.
We never brought her up.
But today, there was no way to avoid it anymore.
Even through the phone, I could picture Alexander's face stormy with rage.
His little pet wasn't playing nice anymore.
Alexander said, "Emma, don't you ever forget that if it weren't for Lily, I never would've married you."