BOOK1 Chapter1

Returning to work after giving birth, my manager arranged for me to appear on a

late-night radio show.

Following the program's format, the host picked up a card and spoke into the

microphone:

"Tonight's special segment is to call your significant other and sweet-talk them for

over thirty seconds! Who’s brave enough to take on this challenge?"

The host's gaze wandered among the guests, eventually landing on me.

But before he could say a word, the eager newcomer, Ava, quickly jumped in:

"Alex, you're really stirring things up! Didn't we agree not to go public with my love

life?"

"Oh wow, Ava, something this sweet just has to be shared with the audience!"

The host responded with a cheerful grin.

"No matter how busy he is, the moment I call, he always picks up."

Ava's face was glowing with happiness.

She reached into her bag, pulled out her phone, and with practiced ease, unlocked it.

Scrolling through her contacts, she found the name she was looking for—“Babe.”

Ava shyly lowered her head, pretending to be embarrassed.

Meanwhile, the live chat exploded with comments:

"Wow, my girl has a boyfriend? Who’s the lucky guy who gets to be with her?"

"Ava’s blushing just talking about him, this is seriously adorable!"

I took a deep breath, my emotions swirling inside me.

Ever since I got pregnant, I’ve rarely appeared in public.

If I don’t make an impression tonight, my manager might not schedule any more

work for me in the coming months.

I needed this chance to remind the audience of who I am.

But Ava was already one step ahead, picking up her phone.

Her fingers swiped across the screen, pressing the call button.

Everyone watched her, eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.

The phone rang just once before it was answered.

“Hey, babe.” A deep, warm voice came from the other end, filled with affection and

instantly catching everyone’s attention.

Because it sounded almost identical to the voice of Alexander Sterling, the new head

of the Sterling family empire!

“Ava, is your boyfriend…” the host tried to confirm.

But Ava pouted, her face flushing as she playfully complained into the phone:

“Alexander! You’re so annoying! I’ve told you a million times not to call me ‘babe,’

but you still haven’t stopped!”

BOOK1 Chapter2

The live chat went wild, with viewers flooding the screen with comments:

"Oh my god, Ava’s boyfriend is Alexander Sterling, the heir to the Sterling family!"

"They're a perfect match, like they were made for each other!"

In the studio, many of the guests and staff cast envious glances at Ava.

"Alright, alright, my little troublemaker. If you don’t like ‘babe,’ I won’t call you that."

Alexander Sterling’s voice came through the phone, dripping with affection. "But

aren’t you supposed to be working right now? Did you call because you missed me?"

His tone was so tender, so full of love, that he didn’t even wait for Ava to start sweettalking him before he laid it all out there.

The room erupted in cheers and playful teasing, with the excitement building wave

after wave.

But as for me, I felt like the world was crashing down around me. My almond-shaped

nails dug deep into my palms.

My heart raced, unable to comprehend what was happening before my eyes.

How could Alexander Sterling be Ava’s boyfriend?

We’re the ones who are married…

BOOK1 Chapter3

Seven years ago, we had a secret marriage.

During those seven years, I asked him many times if we could make our marriage

public, but he always responded coldly:

"Sophia, if Sterling Industries gets linked to someone in the entertainment industry,

it’ll lose its value."

His attitude never changed.

As time went on, people started getting curious about why I insisted I was married

but never revealed my spouse.

Some speculated that I was being kept by a sugar daddy; others claimed they saw me

getting into a big shot’s car.

Rumors began to swirl, with people claiming I was just another actress caught up in

the industry's casting couch practices.

In the face of these baseless accusations and slander, Alexander remained silent,

refusing to clear my name.

Yet here he was, during this live broadcast, sweetly coaxing Ava over the phone,

calling her "Babe" and "My Little Trouble," as if I, his wife, didn’t exist.

Even when the host reminded him that the show was live, he casually greeted

everyone:

"Hello, everyone. I’m Ava’s boyfriend, Alexander Sterling"

Then, he went a step further, politely asking:

"Ava is young and still learning. Please take good care of her, for my sake."

As the heir to a powerful family, he personally asked for favors on his girlfriend’s

behalf.

The host and other guests were all moved by his deep affection, showering the

couple with compliments.

After the call ended, the dedicated host turned his attention back to me.

"Sophia, Ava just gave us a perfect example of sweet-talking."

He smiled at me, "Would you like to give it a try?"

As soon as the host finished speaking, Ava quickly handed me the phone.

"Sophia, I’ve heard for a while now that you’re married, but I never knew who your

husband was."

Her eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.

"You’ve kept it a secret for so long, don’t you think it’s time to introduce him to us?"

After all, she had already called my husband first, and her smugness wasn’t without

reason.

But since she had called my husband, who was I supposed to call?