Chapter 1

I gave up my family’s business to be Jacob’s manager for eight years.

I was also his secret lover for eight years.

Every year, I proposed to him once, and every year, he rejected me without hesitation.

But on the night of the Golden Watch Awards, Jacob stood on stage and announced his engagement—to another woman.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without Jessica’s support. Three days from now, I’ll marry her.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze swept toward me, cold and warning.

I hesitated for a moment before pulling out my phone and dialing my mother’s number.

“Mom, I’m done playing around. I’ll come home and take over the family business.”

On the other end, my mother’s joy was almost childlike.

“And the fiancé we arranged for you?”

I lifted my eyes to the stage, where Jacob and Jessica were locked in a passionate kiss.

“I’ll marry him. Three days from now is an auspicious date—let’s set it then.”

My mother was momentarily stunned by my words.

But after years of hearing me say no, she quickly moved past her surprise, her joy overflowing. She hung up the phone in a flurry, eager to start preparing for my wedding.

Meanwhile, Jacob stepped down from the stage, his arm wrapped around Jessica. I was still looking at the wedding venue my mother had just sent me when Jacob suddenly snatched my phone.

After glancing at the screen, he let out a low chuckle.

“Emily Willson, you’re finally learning to be sensible. It’s the perfect time to look at venues—otherwise, there won’t be enough time for my wedding with Jessica in three days.”

Jessica tiptoed and kissed Jacob on the cheek. Then, placing her hand gently over mine, she said with a sweet smile,

“Sister, thank you for taking care of Jacob all these years. I can see you’ve done a great job. From now on, that responsibility is mine.”

With that, she pulled Jacob away for interviews, leaving me standing there with my phone, which he had casually tossed back into my hands.

A bitter taste rose in my throat.

Just as I was about to turn and leave, a message from Jacob popped up on my screen.

“Leave first and wait for me at the villa. Watch your expression—don’t let something so trivial ruin your face in public. If the paparazzi catch anything, you’ll have me to deal with.”

Instinctively, I took a mirror from my bag, checking my reflection. I forced a smile, then left the venue swiftly.

I circled the villa a few times before daring to enter.

At midnight, the antique clock in the living room struck twelve, and Jacob finally arrived, reeking of alcohol.

As soon as he saw me, he staggered over and pulled me into his arms.

“Emily, I’m exhausted. Make me some hangover soup, will you? Love you.”

The heavy scent of another woman’s perfume clung to him, making my stomach churn. I shoved him away.

“I’m tired too. I don’t feel like moving.”

Jacob tensed. He suddenly sprang up from the couch, pointing at me furiously.

“Emily, what the hell is that supposed to mean? Didn’t I already explain everything to you? I told you not to let something so small affect your mood in public, and now you’re pulling this?!”

I pulled up the message he sent me hours ago and held it in front of him.

“Jacob, is this what you call an explanation?”

Before I could finish, he smacked the phone out of my hand, his expression turning even uglier.

“Emily, didn’t we agree to prioritize our careers? Do I really need to explain how valuable a ‘loyal husband’ image is in the market? My marriage with Jessica is for PR, for my career! How can you, of all people, be this petty? You call yourself a manager? You’re disgusting!”

With that, he slammed the door and stormed out.

I slowly walked to the mirror and looked at my reflection.

A bitter smile curled on my lips.

Eight years.

And even for a fake marriage, I wasn’t the first choice.

I raised my hand and slapped myself hard across the face.

Let this be a lesson.

Never be a pathetic, lovesick fool again.

Just as I finished washing up and lay in bed, my phone vibrated with a message from my mother.

“Emily, I was so happy today that I almost forgot to tell you. Over the years, our family has spent a lot on that little actor of yours. We were planning to invest in a new film for him next month—now that you’re leaving, should we still go ahead with it?”

I stared at the empty villa for a moment before replying.

“Wait for my word.”

There were only a few days left.

I had no interest in stirring up more trouble.

After listening to my mother chatter about wedding details, I drifted into a deep sleep.

The next morning, before I was fully awake, I heard the commotion of people moving things downstairs.

I threw on some clothes and walked down, only to see Jacob entering with Jessica, hand in hand. A team of movers followed behind them, dressed in uniform.

Jacob’s brows furrowed the moment he saw me. His voice was low but sharp.

“There are outsiders here. What are you doing downstairs? Get back to your room!”

I glanced at the movers, who were about to head into the rooms, then silently turned and went back upstairs, hiding myself from view.

I had seen this scene too many times before.

But this villa…was supposed to be our place.

That’s why I let my guard down.

The moving company workers left quickly, and soon after, Jacob called out to me from downstairs.

“Come out. I have something to tell you. From now on, Jessica and I will be living here.”

Chapter 2

His words stunned me.

I lost my footing and tumbled down the stairs.

Climbing back up, I stared at Jacob’s indifferent face and asked,

“You and Jessica are living here? The three of us staying together doesn’t seem very appropriate…”

Jacob exchanged a glance with Jessica and chuckled.

“What are you thinking? It’s me and Jessica living here. You’re moving out.”

I pointed at myself, unable to believe what I was hearing.

“I’m moving out? To where? And you and Jessica living together—what does that even mean?”

Jacob’s patience started to wear thin.

“Just go rent an apartment somewhere. What do you mean ‘what does it mean’? It means we’re a couple. Next month, J&H Group is investing in a drama, and I’m playing the male lead. I need to start marketing my ‘devoted husband’ persona immediately. I’m in a hurry, so you need to move out tonight!”

Without sparing me another glance, he turned to Jessica with a warm smile.

“Jessica, bring your things inside and start unpacking. Once she’s gone, we’ll invite a few friendly media outlets over.”

As Jessica passed by me, she smiled.

“Sister, you should learn to be more sensible. Jacob has taken care of you for eight years—you should know when to step aside.”

I turned to Jacob, my eyes full of questions.

He was fiddling with his newly bought watch as he spoke casually,

“Jessica’s right. For all these years, haven’t I been the one supporting everything? You better wise up. What are you still standing there for? Go pack your things!”

I turned and went upstairs.

Just as I reached my room, I received a message from Jacob.

“Just pack a few things. If you take too much, you’ll get caught on camera. Be careful! If the paparazzi catch you, you can forget about ever having me again.”

I opened the closet, wanting to tell Jacob that he was overthinking.

The six-meter-long wardrobe had only a few of my clothes tucked away in the corner.

After I finished packing, Jacob locked the room from the outside.

He knocked lightly on the door, as if giving me a formal farewell.

“Emily, just stay in there until tonight. The villa has already been exposed to the public. To avoid getting caught on camera, just endure it for a while.”

Then, he left.

Downstairs, Jacob and Jessica’s laughter drifted up from time to time.

Around noon, I heard the sounds of him busying himself in the kitchen.

Before long, Jessica’s voice rang out.

“Jacob, there’s still someone upstairs, you know. The food you made doesn’t seem like enough for three people.”

Jacob’s response was calm, without the slightest hint of emotion.

“No worries. I’ll order her a takeout later. She has a special ability—she won’t get hungry even if she doesn’t eat all day.”

Jessica burst into laughter.

“Really? Then I’d love to see that for myself. Jacob, I don’t have that kind of ability, though. You won’t let me starve, will you?”

After a few moments of intimate murmuring between them, Jacob replied softly,

“Of course not. How could I let my darling go hungry? Look, I made all your favorite dishes today…”

Leaning against the door, I listened to the flirtatious exchange downstairs, feeling an ache tighten around my heart.

Back then, when Jacob had just entered the industry, he wasn’t even a D-list actor.

I ran around with him all day, going from one audition to another,

So busy that we often didn’t even have time for a proper meal.

More importantly, we truly had no money.

At that time, I had already fallen out with my family because of him.

So I would always joke with Jacob, saying that I had a special ability—

That I could go an entire day without eating and still not feel hungry.

Back then, Jacob cried so many times because of those words.

Yet now, he had turned them into a blade to mock me.

Looking at it now, it has nothing to do with some public persona.

He simply doesn’t love me anymore.

I stayed in the upstairs room until the early hours of the morning, my stomach twisting in relentless hunger pains.

Fearing I might actually pass out, I started banging on the door desperately.

Only then did Jacob finally come upstairs at an unhurried pace to unlock it.

Seeing me drenched in cold sweat, my brows tightly furrowed in pain,

he simply frowned and said,

“Emily, if you’re hot in the room, don’t you know how to open a window?

You don’t even like using perfume—do you have any idea how bad it smells in there when you sweat and don’t ventilate?”

Chapter 3

At that moment, I suddenly recalled the overwhelming scent of women’s perfume on him last night, and a wave of nausea hit me.

I dry-heaved uncontrollably.

Jacob took one look at me and immediately took a step back,

retreating downstairs while speaking with utter disgust.

“Emily, you’re so dramatic. Hurry up and get your things together. Get out of here and stop being an eyesore!”

Then, as if remembering something, he turned and laughed loudly, pointing up at me while speaking to Jessica,

“See? I told you she had a special ability. She’s perfectly fine.”

When I went downstairs, Jessica was snuggled up against Jacob, watching a movie.

Seeing me come out, she leaned in even closer to him, popping a piece of fruit into her mouth as she smirked,

“Superwoman, huh? Jacob and I won’t be seeing you off—take care.

Oh, and remember! Don’t get caught by the paparazzi!”

Jacob, hearing her words, reached out and pulled Jessica into his arms,

gazing at her with boundless affection.

“You really are the best,” he murmured.

Then, without sparing me another glance, he turned his attention back to the movie.

I didn’t want to stay in that house for even one more second.

I put on my shoes as fast as I could and walked out.

The moment the door closed behind me,

I leaned against it and let out a long, deep breath—as if I had been suffocating for years and had finally tasted fresh air again.

It was liberating.

I went to the garage and found a car I rarely used,

circling the villa a few times before driving off.

After a long moment of hesitation, I finally decided to head to the courtyard house in the southern part of the city.

That house had been in my family for over a decade.

Now that I had made up my mind to leave Jacob,

there was no need to cut myself off from my family because of him anymore.

For years, I had hidden my family’s investments in Jacob from him,

never letting him know about our true financial situation.

At first, I thought it wasn’t necessary.

Later, I didn’t want him to feel like everything he had was because of me.

But now, I finally felt relieved.

Just as I parked the car, my phone suddenly buzzed with an alert from the vehicle security system.

I opened the app—and saw something I would never forget for the rest of my life.

Inside the car I usually drove,

Jacob was tearing at Jessica’s clothes with feverish desperation.

Underneath him, she wore an expression of coy resistance, her face flushed with desire.

Disgusting noises filled the speakers of my phone.

Already weakened from a full day without food, I barely managed to open the car door before vomiting violently.

My hands trembled as I tried to close the app, but no matter what I did, it wouldn’t shut off.

In the end, I grabbed my phone and smashed it to the ground.

Only then did the nauseating sounds finally stop ringing in my ears.

I had once thought that, at most, there was just some ambiguous tension between Jacob and Jessica.

But now, it was clear—

they had been shamelessly entangled for a long time.

No wonder Jacob had been rejecting my advances ever since Jessica returned to the country.

My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the ground, my entire body trembling uncontrollably.

But at least,

this nightmare was finally coming to an end.

The next morning, I opened my phone and saw that Jacob had made the trending list.

“New rising star Jacob and fiancée Jessica check out wedding venues, the couple looks incredibly sweet.”

The picture showed Jacob with a warm smile, holding Jessica. The comments were full of praise.

“Didn’t expect Jacob to be such a family-oriented guy. I like him even more now…”

“Yeah, I heard he has a new movie coming out soon, and he’s the lead! Announcing his wedding at this time is truly the mark of a good man!”

“Tomorrow is the big day, hope our Jacob stays happy forever!”

Then, I received a message from Jacob.

“Emily, remember to come to the wedding tomorrow. The host wants you to speak about how we met. I’ve sent the script to your email, make sure you prepare well and don’t mess up!!”

In my inbox, I found the script Jacob had prepared. When I opened it, I realized he had arranged every moment of the past eight years to be told through Jessica. It was impressive how much he remembered, but I couldn’t be bothered to read any further or reply. I just tossed my phone aside and started packing my things.

Then, I booked the earliest flight to London for tomorrow.