Chapter 1

Ethan, a renowned actor, married me out of spite. His long-time girlfriend, Olivia, had stormed off to Europe after a fight, and he'd impulsively walked down the aisle with me. Three years into our marriage, their drama continued to unfold. On-screen hugs and kisses, off-screen flirtatious interviews ― the internet was abuzz with pity for me, the "pathetic stand-in." I never reacted, always plastering on a smile and diligently managing his PR. Then, I unexpectedly got pregnant. I quietly terminated the pregnancy without telling Ethan. When he found out, he was furious, his voice laced with a strange mix of anger and pain. "Why?" he demanded. I met his gaze, my voice calm. "Because I don't love you." The truth was, I loved his deceased brother.

...

1

Everyone knew Ethan had married me to make Olivia jealous. He hadn't chased after her when she left; he'd married me instead. I wore a wedding dress that wasn't meant for me, married to a man who didn't love me. Everyone predicted Ethan would dump me the moment Olivia returned. But three years in, it seemed Ethan was… developing feelings for me. He made me breakfast, coaxed me out of bed, and kissed me tenderly when I acted cute. There were moments of intense passion, whispered promises in the dark. "Baby," he’d murmur, "give me a child, just as sweet as you." We were like any ordinary, loving couple. Until I actually got pregnant. Before I could tell Ethan, Olivia came back. That day, they reconciled.

Olivia’s return coincided with their high school reunion. Apparently, her family had gone bankrupt, and she was scrambling for loans. Ethan and I arrived hand-in-hand to find a wealthy former classmate pressuring Olivia to drink. He promised ten grand for every shot she downed. Tears streamed down her face, but she forced a smile and drank them all. When she saw Ethan, she flinched, embarrassed, and quickly looked down. Someone jeered, "Olivia, if you need cash, just ask Ethan! With your history, a couple of nights in bed, and he'd surely take care of you." Ethan glared at the speaker, his voice laced with ice. "Don't you dare disrespect my wife," he said, leaning against me, a cigarette dangling from his lips. "Anyone makes my wife uncomfortable, shut your mouth and get out." The room erupted in laughter, everyone calling me "Mrs. Hale," envious of Ethan's apparent devotion. No one knew that if Olivia hadn’t shown up, Ethan wouldn't have bothered coming. Olivia stared at me, biting her lip, tears welling in her eyes. The man who'd been pressuring her put a hand on her shoulder. "So," he sneered, "looks like Ethan doesn't want you anymore. But hey, he doesn't, I do. How about you keep me happy in bed, and I’ll slip you some pocket money?" Ethan stubbed out his cigarette, his face hardening. He still cared about her. Olivia, through her tears, looked at Ethan and whispered, "I won't. I only love one man. Even if he doesn't want me, I won't let anyone else touch me." Ethan’s grip on my hand tightened, painfully so. The classmate, his ego bruised, laughed. "Who do you think you are? Some kind of saint? Fine, play hard to get. I’m going to have you tonight, one way or another." He grabbed Olivia and pulled her towards the exit. She was tipsy, leaning against him, half-heartedly resisting. Ethan's eyes never left Olivia. I could see the barely contained rage, the urge to protect her. Just as they reached the door, Ethan snapped. He lunged forward, kicking the man to the ground. He pinned him down, his eyes bloodshot. "Touch her again," he roared, "and I'll break your hands!" Chaos erupted. Someone started filming. I grabbed Ethan’s sleeve, urging him to stop. He turned, his voice glacial. "Stay out of this." I released my grip, stunned. Olivia rushed forward, throwing her arms around him, sobbing. "Ethan, please don't fight because of me! I can’t bear to see you hurt! I was so scared you really didn't want me anymore…" Ethan didn't push her away. He held her close, shielding her. Everyone watched as he led Olivia away, leaving me behind.