Chapter 1

The day the TV drama wrapped, I was once again thrust onto trending topics by paparazzi photos. But the person in the photos wasn't me. It was my husband, Gideon, the Best Actor, kissing Lillian Ross, the second female lead who played my rival in the show. Along with the trending post came this caption: "Shocking Revelation: After Actress Serena Winters Wraps Her Drama, Best Actor Gideon's Ninth Secret Rendezvous with Different Lovers Exposed! "

The story's popularity continued to climb. Gideon himself appeared in the comments section, posting an intimate photo with Lillian Ross. "With you, for the rest of my life. "

Everyone thought I would make a scene and fight with Gideon like I always did, throwing away all my dignity. But this time, I simply removed my diamond ring with composure. I posted it on my blog along with that photo of Gideon's secret rendezvous and kiss. With the caption: "I wish you both the best in your acting careers and your relationship. May both continue endlessly, without limit. "

1

After confirming the post was published successfully, I finally put down my phone. Just last night, the paparazzi had sent the photos to my email first, using the photos as blackmail, demanding five million from me. If this had been before, I would have run to Gideon like a madwoman and made a scene. In front of everyone, abandoning all my pride and dignity. Without caring about my image, I would have thrown myself at them both, scratching and hitting them wildly. Crying and fighting until Gideon chose between me and that woman. Every time I shed tears, Gideon would decisively cut things off with those women. Then he'd pull me into his arms, kissing my forehead over and over. "Serena, I get bored after a while. They're just toys to pass the time when I'm idle. "

"Your place in my heart—no one can shake it even a fraction. Be good. "

"You're an obedient wife. You'll handle those reports for me, won't you? "

For the past five years, to raise money for my mother's surgery, I'd practically lived on set without a moment's rest. One drama after another that I starred in became hits. One mistress after another appeared by Gideon's side. The money I earned, aside from keeping my mother alive, all went to cleaning up Gideon's scandals. I naively thought that one day, Gideon would remember how good I'd been to him and return to me. But when public opinion reached its peak and everyone was waiting to see me humiliated, he appeared in the comments section himself. That intimate photo he personally posted felt like a vicious slap across my face. My heart plummeted to rock bottom in that moment. I suddenly realized that everything I'd done to win Gideon back was utterly pointless. My phone kept buzzing nonstop. In less than an hour, my post had been viewed and shared over a hundred million times. My blog completely crashed. I'd just closed the comments section when Gideon kicked the door open, his face dark with rage. He grabbed my wrist so hard I nearly cried out in pain. "Serena Winters, have you lost your mind?! Delete your post right now and issue an apology to Lillian Ross! "

"Do you know that because of what you said, she's being harassed everywhere as a homewrecker! "

"Even the brands that were ready to work with her have terminated their agreements. Are you trying to destroy her?! "

My face went pale. I pressed down the bitterness in my heart, trying to force out a dignified smile. But seeing Gideon defend the woman who'd destroyed our marriage, the tears I'd been holding back finally fell. How ridiculous. I was clearly Gideon's legal wife, yet I had to apologize to the mistress who'd deliberately destroyed my marriage. Seeing my tears, Gideon's tone softened somewhat. Like always, he pulled me into his arms, gently wiping away the tears at the corners of my eyes. "Serena, Lillian Ross is just a minor celebrity. She's nowhere near as famous as you. "

"What you're doing will ruin her. "

"Be good, don't make a scene. Don't take your anger out on an innocent person. "

"Just delete the post now and hold a press conference to apologize to Lillian Ross... "

In Gideon's eyes, this homewrecker who destroyed someone else's marriage was the innocent party. And I, the wife seeking justice for myself, was making an unreasonable scene. How utterly ironic! "No! "

I broke free from Gideon's embrace and cut off his unfinished sentence sharply. "Gideon, you're the one who's lost his mind! "

"I'm clearly the victim here. What gives you the right to tell me to apologize to a mistress who seduced my husband and destroyed my marriage? "

At that, Gideon's voice rose sharply, and the distress on his face vanished completely. "Serena Winters, have I spoiled you too much?! Do you know Lillian Ross nearly committed suicide two days ago because of this?! "

"When did you become so vicious?! "

I closed my eyes and raised my voice involuntarily. "You spoil me? You call cheating on me again and again 'spoiling'? You call letting others humiliate me at will 'spoiling'? "

"I'm vicious?! Gideon, aren't you two the vicious ones?! "

"You're the ones who pushed me to this point! Why should I apologize to you adulterous pair—"

"Slap—"

A vicious slap struck my face, and in an instant, all the arguing stopped. The blow knocked my head to the side. Warm, metallic liquid trickled down from the corner of my mouth. Pain shot straight to my head. Just moving my lips slightly pulled at the muscles in my nasal cavity, making even breathing hurt. Gideon stared at his own hand in disbelief, frozen in place. "Serena...