Chapter 3

3. I called Caleb.

"When are you coming back?" I asked.

"Tomorrow night at ten," he said, his voice flat and indifferent.

He didn't offer a single explanation, acting as if nothing had happened.

"Fine."

I was about to hang up. Looking back, our conversations over the last three years had always been this clinical.

No one would believe we were husband and wife.

"Wait," Caleb said suddenly.

"I'm bringing a newcomer back with me. I'm signing her to the agency. Her name is Cleo."

"She's new to the city and has nowhere to stay. Clear out your guest house for her."

"Pick us up tomorrow and take her there directly."

I let out a sharp, mocking laugh.

For a split second, I actually expected him to say something kind. How pathetic.

"Caleb, do you have anything else to say to me?"

"I thought we covered everything," he said, his tone softening slightly.

"You've been in this industry long enough. The trending topics are just PR. Don't take them seriously."

"So, you signing your ex-girlfriend is also just PR?"

"...So you know. Good. It saves me the trouble of explaining. Cleo has raw talent. I'm signing her for her potential. It's strictly business."

Strictly business. Right.

"So, you plan to keep using the rumors about you and her to pave her way into the industry?"

"I'm glad you understand, Sera. You've always been the sensible one."

Caleb sounded satisfied with my compliance.

I smiled bitterly. "What about me? It's been three years. Do you still have no intention of making our marriage public?"

Before he could answer, I hung up.

He didn't call back. He was certain I would cave, just like I always did.

But he didn't realize that even the warmest heart turns to ice when left in the cold for too long.

I looked around the three-bedroom apartment I had bought with my own earnings.

We never bought a marital home. He said I was always on set, so it was unnecessary.

He stayed here occasionally, leaving the next morning like it was a hotel.

I made up my mind. I grabbed a trash bag and threw his slippers and towels into the bin downstairs.

Then I called Piper and told her to contact a real estate agent. I wanted the place listed for rent immediately.