Chapter 3

3

When I finally stumbled out of the hospital, daylight had broken.

I walked home like a hollow shell, Annie's final words echoing through my head every time I closed my eyes.

Looking back, my love for Vivian was nothing but a complete, humiliating joke.

I chased after her for seven long years before she finally agreed to marry me.

I foolishly believed that my endless devotion could eventually warm her frozen heart.

I knew she had a first love, and I knew she only married me because Landon was a self-proclaimed bachelor who refused to commit.

Yet, when she found out she was pregnant with my child, the joy on her face had seemed so real.

She had whispered that she loved me, promising to be a wonderful mother and a faithful wife.

It was all a damn lie!

I swallowed back my burning rage and unlocked the front door, only to find the walls had been repainted yet another color.

Whenever Landon directed a new movie, Vivian would hang his promotional posters in the most prominent spots in the house, constantly redecorating just to make them pop.

Aside from Landon's framed photos, his autographs, and the merchandise he endorsed, she had thrown away almost every single piece of furniture we owned!

Calling this house a shrine dedicated to Landon's every breath was no exaggeration!

My endless tolerance hadn't saved our dying marriage; it had only convinced that vile woman that Annie and I were worthless accessories.

I let out a cold laugh, grabbed every single piece of Landon's trash, smashed them into pieces, and threw them onto the floor.

Filthy!

Suddenly, my eyes landed on Annie's little diary.

My breath hitched, and my fingers tightened around the worn pages.

Hot tears betrayed me, splashing down and smudging the childish handwriting.

"March 21: Mommy said she has a secret. She loves Landon, a famous director. I hate him."

"April 13: Mommy locked me in the house and went out with Landon. I was so scared. I miss Daddy so much."

"April 20: Mommy forced me to learn the theme song for Landon's new show and made me perform for him. But Mommy, you don't know that every time you take me there, he hits me. Never mind, Mommy... maybe you already know."

"April 27: Mommy said she's taking me to a movie set to be a stunt double for an older girl. I wish Mommy loved me as much as she loves that girl. I'm so jealous of her."

A thunderbolt struck my mind, and my heart pounded violently against my ribs.

Did they have a secret child behind my back all along?

Right then, the front door clicked open. The moment Vivian saw me, a bright, calculating smile spread across her face.

She called out sweetly, "Hubby!"

"Seth, you have to do us a favor and make a statement."

"Help Landon and me out, and I promise I'll spend every single night with you this month. Be a good boy!"

Vivian held up her phone, slowly scrolling through the trending social media feeds.

#Obscure Director Caught Late Night With Female Fan#

#Director's Bachelor Persona Exposed as Fake#

#Landon Drake Secret Marriage Scandal#

"You saw it too, right? Someone took pictures of Landon and me last night..."

I clenched my fists and let out a dry, chilling chuckle.

"Just throw money at it. Isn't that how you two covered up all your dirty hookups in the past?"

Vivian's face froze, instantly replaced by a flash of annoyance.

"You know that was then! All our money went into covering the damages from the explosion!"

"Just thinking about it pisses me off! Where is Annie? Tell that little brat to get out here right now!"

I raised an eyebrow, my voice dropping dangerously low.

"Little brat?"

Vivian quickly waved her hands, playfully tapping her own cheeks twice.

"I misspoke! I misspoke! Don't take it so seriously."

"I'm just stressed out! If she hadn't made such a massive scene yesterday and caused an ambulance to show up, none of this would have leaked to the press!"

"Don't worry, I'm not going to hold a grudge against her. As long as you help me out, I'll even stay home and celebrate her birthday with her this year. Deal?"

Annie was only five years old, yet Vivian blamed her own daughter for the entire mess without a shred of remorse!

Her pretend generosity made me laugh out loud with pure disgust.

"Celebrate her birthday? You don't have the right to even utter Annie's name! Don't you dare taint her journey to heaven!"

"Vivian! Your own flesh and blood was murdered by your hands!"

%%%