Chapter 3

It had only been a short while since I wrapped up my last movie, so I had a lot of free time lately.

I decided to go out for some macaroni.

However, the moment I stepped outside the villa, a swarm of reporters who'd been lurking in the shadows rushed at me. They shoved their cameras and mics in my face.

"Ms. Dawson, why did you suddenly divorce William?"

"Did William cheat on you, or is it because you can't have kids, like everyone's saying?"

"Ms. Dawson, who's the woman William is seeing?"

"You skipped the awards ceremony yesterday. Was it because you were heartbroken over the divorce?"

I tried to push my way through the crowd, but it was impossible.

They cornered me against the wall.

They weren't going to leave until they got something out of me.

I never liked putting my real life out there for everyone to see. Acting was my job. My real life was off-limits.

"Sorry, no comment," I said flatly to the reporters.

However, they kept hounding me, so I pulled out my phone, ready to call the cops.

Suddenly, someone slapped my phone right out of my hand.

I tried to pick it up, but someone shoved me hard, and I hit the ground, lying there stunned and unable to move for a while.

Right then, a familiar voice rang out. "Get lost."

It was William. He punched a reporter who was aiming his camera at me. "Fuck off."

The other reporters were stunned by his sudden outburst.

After all, William had always been known for being calm and courteous in public. This was probably the first time any of them had seen him lose control.

And this was only the third time I'd ever seen William get physical with someone.

The first time was when my father attacked me. William stormed into my house and beat him badly enough to land him in the hospital.

The second time was shortly after I started my career. A small-time businessman had taken an interest in me and tried to force himself on me.

When William found out, he beat the man so badly that he would never be able to have children again.

The reporters tried to snap photos, but William's bodyguards rushed in, smashed their cameras to the ground, and hauled them off.

William strode over to me, worry written all over his face. "Are you okay?"

I'd always been pretty tough. When I was younger, I'd been beaten until I was coughing up blood, and I still made it through.

However, after several years of being pampered, I wasn't quite as tough anymore.

I slowly got up, looking a little worse for wear. "I'm fine. Why are you here?"

William stared at me for a long moment before finally saying, "This is the first time you've gone out alone since everything happened. I was worried, so I came to check on you."

"What's there to worry about? I'm almost thirty. I'm an adult."

Besides, once he was with someone else, he couldn't exactly keep coming around to check on his ex-wife forever.

William went quiet.

He'd been doing that a lot lately. Ever since last month, it seemed like he was always going quiet.

I really didn't like it. "I'm heading out for breakfast."

William followed me. "I'll join you."

*****

We walked to a restaurant nearby. I didn't look at the menu before telling the owner, "I want some macaroni."

William ordered a plate of spaghetti.

He sighed. "You've been eating macaroni for more than ten years. Don't you ever get sick of them?"

Sick of them? I paused, realizing I'd never actually considered that before.

This was how I'd always been. Once I found a place I liked, I would keep going back. If I found a restaurant I liked, I'd become a regular there.

There would be a few dishes I loved, and every time I went, I'd order the same ones. Somehow, I never got tired of them.

I didn't like taking risks or trying new things.

William was the opposite. When he started his company, he'd gone through all kinds of hardships. He'd tried e-commerce, physical retail businesses, and all sorts of other ventures along the way.

He liked taking risks.

Our food was quickly served. After years of eating the finest food money could buy, William wasn't used to something this simple.

He took a few bites, then set down his fork and said, "Blue Bay is beautiful, but you need to be careful out there. You should hire some security guards or get a few bodyguards.

"And I already had the finance department transfer the money to you. Don't ever tell anyone how much you have. There are too many bad people out there these days.

"Oh, and don't take on roles that are too dangerous anymore. Your health isn't great to begin with."

Just like he had two years ago, William started nagging me about one thing after another.

Finally, in a quiet voice, he said, "If you ever decide to get married again, don't choose someone like me."

I listened quietly and agreed to everything he said. Before I knew it, I'd finished my macaroni.

William saw it and gave a quiet smile. "I never thought you'd be this calm. I expected you to cry, throw a fit, or demand answers from me. Guess you're good at letting go."

I felt a lump in my throat. When I looked at him again, I didn't know what to say.

Seeing my reaction, William asked, "Did you stop loving me a long time ago, too?"

Too? I finally knew what it felt like to be hurt by a single question.

"Maybe that's what happens when two people are together for too long. The spark fades, and you end up feeling more like family than anything else," I replied.

William fell silent.

After breakfast, we left the restaurant. From afar, I saw someone waving at us. "Will."

It was a beautiful young woman in a pink dress. She looked bright and charming.

She was the waitress I'd seen outside the restaurant two days ago.

A flicker of unease crossed William's eyes. "What are you doing here?"

The girl jogged over to him, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw him.

Then she turned to me and reached out her hand. "Ms. Dawson, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Will's girlfriend, Emily Foster."

Before I could say anything, William pulled her aside.

"What are you talking about? Who said you're my girlfriend?" he said, gripping Emily's hand tightly.

Emily's eyes welled up with tears. "Am I wrong?"

William's tone softened. "I told you to stay home, didn't I? What are you doing here?"

Emily lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was worried. What if you two got back together?"

William sighed, sounding exasperated. "You're so childish. My car is up ahead. Go wait for me there."

"Alright. Don't make me wait too long," Emily said, shooting me a look before walking off.