Chapter 1

1.

After three years of painstaking effort, I crafted a lead role for my HBO limited series, only for my husband Robert to casually hand it over to his newly signed, pitifully new actor.

The girl, Chloe Bennett, posted a "first look" photo in costume on her Instagram, which was quickly picked up by Variety's website.

[I'm so thrilled to be starting this new journey. A huge thank you to the director for trusting me and to my fans for all the love. #HBO #NewSeries]

My agent sent me the link. In the photo, Chloe was wearing the costume I had personally commissioned from the Game of Thrones design team for five million dollars. She was on our set in Los Angeles.

I immediately sent a screenshot to my husband, the director, Robert Vance.

"Robert, what the fuck is this? Who authorized you to replace me and start shooting my project early?"

I could hear the chaotic noise of the set in the background as he answered, his voice trying to sound calm and soothing.

"Hey, baby, relax. It's just a role. Don't overreact. You have countless opportunities, you don't need this one."

"Listen to me, Robert. You have thirty minutes to post a clarification on Twitter, announce that production is halted, and get that girl off my set. Do you understand?"

Robert didn't reply.

Instead, he went live on Instagram, streaming the production launch party.

Fine. Someone wanted to play hardball.

…

Ten minutes later, Robert's company email and all his project access were revoked. All projects at "Reed Pictures" under his direction were immediately suspended.

The party's livestream was cut off. My phone rang instantly. It was Robert, his voice seething with rage he couldn't hide.

"Evelyn! What the hell did you do? On what authority did you kick me out of the company?"

"And the HBO project! Who gave you the right to shut it down?"

I leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window of our Beverly Hills mansion, listening to his hysterical shouting, and calmly replied.

"It's my project. Of course I can shut it down."

"You crossed a line, Robert. You openly defied a decision from the CEO. We don't need cowboys acting on their own here."

Robert's voice was filled with disbelief.

"Over a role? Evelyn, are you really going to make such a big deal out of this?"

His audacity made me laugh, a cold, bitter laugh.

"A big deal? Robert, who gave you the balls to mess with my things?"

"Using my resources to boost your side piece… you're so generous, aren't you!"

In three years of marriage, I had never spoken to him in such an icy tone.

Robert finally seemed to cool down from his rage. He was silent for a few seconds, and when he spoke again, his voice was much softer.

"Evelyn, listen to me, you've completely misunderstood. There's nothing going on between me and Chloe."

"I just… I saw a spark in her, you know? A real hunger. I didn't know… I honestly didn't know how much this script meant to you."

"It's my fault. I shouldn't have made a decision without talking to you. If you're not happy, I'll release a statement right now. The lead actress is still you."

"Look, just add me back to the company's Slack channel first. There's a ton of stuff on set waiting for me to handle."

He said it so matter-of-factly, as if he was sure I would give him an easy way out.

I let out a small laugh, but it didn't reach my eyes.

"Robert, I'm not kidding. You're fired."

"This project has nothing to do with you anymore."

"I'll be looking for a new director."

I heard a loud crash on the other end of the line, probably him slamming his fist on a table.

"Evelyn! You can't do this! I've been preparing this script for three years!"

"You can't―"

"Given your current state, I think you need a vacation."

I hung up before he could finish.

My phone immediately started buzzing like crazy, the screen filled with calls and unread messages from Robert.

I turned it off and tossed it aside.

When I first met Robert, he was just a talented student director at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. After graduation, he was trying to get funding for his debut feature film but was rejected by every studio.

I saw his short film at the Sundance Film Festival and recognized his incredible talent and unique command of the camera. I saw his potential and decided to help him. I founded "Reed Pictures," injected capital and top-tier industry resources, and gave him my full support.

In five years, he went from an unknown indie director to one of Hollywood's A-list commercial directors.

After becoming famous, he created a film specifically for me and extended an invitation.

"I spent five years proving to you that your judgment was right."

"And I spent five years writing this script for you. I want to invite you to be my leading lady."

I admired ambitious and confident people like him, and I had seen his hard work over the years. So I accepted, and I won the Oscar for Best Actress for that film.

After the movie became a blockbuster, he proposed, promising to write scripts for me for the rest of our lives, making me his one and only leading lady forever.

To be honest, my feelings for him were more admiration than love. But under his intense pursuit, my heart was moved, and I eventually married him.

After we got married, our passion gradually faded into the quiet routine of daily life. We went from fiery lovers to supportive partners and family. I thought we would always respect and elevate each other like this, becoming Hollywood's model couple.

But now, for some unknown little actress, he had done something so outrageous. Three years of marriage, and we were facing our first serious crisis. I might not be a person who drowns in romance, but I would never, ever tolerate betrayal in my marriage.

I called my company's executives and told them to find a new director for the HBO project immediately. After handling everything, I lost my mood for a Caribbean vacation. I said a quick goodbye to my parents, cut my trip short, and flew straight back to Los Angeles.

The moment I stepped onto the set, the noise hit me, and I frowned. I had given explicit orders to halt production; it should have been dead silent. But the scene in front of me told me someone had ignored my words completely. People were whispering in corners, others pretended to be busy while secretly filming with their phones.

It only took a second to see the center of attention.

Robert.

He was kneeling in front of Chloe, carefully adjusting the collar of her costume, his expression focused and gentle. It was a look he rarely showed at work after he became famous, but it was the very look that had made my heart flutter in the first place.

Someone spotted me and gasped, "Ms. Reed!"

The set instantly fell silent. Every eye turned to me like a spotlight.

Robert looked up, the tenderness on his face vanishing the moment he saw me.

Chloe, however, reacted quickly. The smile on her face froze for only a moment before she turned to me and greeted me with a smile.

"Ms. Reed, I heard you were on vacation with your parents. What brings you back so soon?"

I didn't bother with her. My gaze went past her and landed directly on Robert's face.

"Clear out all non-essential personnel. I don't want to see anyone irrelevant hanging around my set."