I've been with an award-winning actor for seven years. We've been secretly married for five of those seven years.

For the sake of his career, I drink so much that I get a stomach perforation. I also allow others to trample over my pride and dignity.

Yet he goes on lakeside dates with another woman and kisses her underneath the fireworks. He even has the nerve to tell me not to be unreasonable.

Later, I get caught in a landslide when I'm on a business trip. I make one last call to him in fear. All I hear is him singing his lover a birthday song.

I ask for a divorce after losing hope in him. That's when he suddenly begs me not to leave. He even announces our relationship to the world on the day he wins an award.

Our seven-year relationship is finally public, but I don't want it anymore.

It was our wedding anniversary when I ended up in the hospital with stomach bleeding.

"Wow! I'm rooting for them to be a couple!"

"A big-time actor and a rising star? Now that's a power couple! It's like something straight out of a novel!"

"Kissing by the lake with fireworks in the background is pure romance!"

"I heard they dated in school, but their backgrounds didn't really match. And it all ended after Vivian left the country…"

Two nurses were talking about tonight's hot gossip right outside my ward.

I'd say it was a romantic scene if the guy they were talking about wasn't my husband. I could barely recall the last time Clement Carter and I held hands, let alone kissed.

The voices outside kept going, each word stabbing at my heart.

Suddenly, my phone rang. Seeing "Babe" on the screen gave me a tiny flicker of hope.

But as soon as I picked up, Clement's furious voice hit me like a wave. "You can't even close a simple deal? If you couldn't do it, you should've just said so! How can you be this useless?"

My smile stiffened. I didn't even get the chance to say, "Happy anniversary."

There were so many nights I spent drinking with clients just to make sure Clement got every opportunity. I went too far tonight, and my stomach gave out, leaving me collapsed at their feet.

Before I fainted, I saw the clients across from me give me a look full of mockery.

The clients' and Clement's voices came through the line at once.

"Relax, Queen Vivi. We've got that fool jumping through hoops!"

"Thank goodness Vivi took care of the deal, or you'd have had me looking like a joke!"

I heard Vivian Fowler shouting on the other end before Clement quickly hung up.

The painkiller in my IV didn't seem to help at all. My stomach was churning, but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as the ache in my chest.

Clement texted me just a minute later. "Make sure you get the contract by tonight!"

When the nurse entered to change my IV, I closed my eyes and buried my face in the pillow so she wouldn't see my tears. "Could you help me with the discharge process, please?"

She hesitated when she saw how sick and pained I looked. "You're too ill to go unless a family member comes to take you home. Otherwise, I'll be held responsible if anything happens."

I smiled bitterly. A family member? Did I even have one?

Clement didn't care about my illness—or me. He took Vivian to the lake and kissed her, ignoring how I felt.

We'd been married for five years, but the way he treated me didn't even come close to how a nurse I just met treated me.

Clement's words echoed in my mind. I swallowed my pain and signed the discharge papers.

Just then, my phone rang. "Ms. Lundy, the fireworks are ready. When would you like us to deliver them to your home?"

Clement loved fireworks, and I had planned to set them off for him on our anniversary. But I doubted he'd want to see them again.

"Throw them out," I said.

Clement didn't get home until the early hours.

My stomach hurt too much for me to sleep. I had to get up and take a painkiller.

"Here, I brought you a late-night snack," Clement said, tossing a few half-eaten boxes of spicy wings on the table.

He kept his attention on the contract sitting nearby. He didn't even notice how pale I looked or the sweat beading on my forehead.

I chucked the spicy wings into the trash.

Clement knew about my stomach condition, but he never bothered to care.

"What's your problem? I brought you something nice, and this is how you act? All you did for me was drink a few, wasn't it?" he snapped.

"I've got a stomach issue. I can't handle spicy food."

Clement stiffened, looking awkward. After a moment, he stepped closer and took my hand, worry in his eyes.

"I forgot about it. You're not going to blame me, right?" He looked at me with pleading eyes.

We were standing so close, and I could catch the scent of perfume on him that wasn't his. The things those clients said while drinking came back to me, and I felt a rush of nausea.

"Vivian did it on purpose. She's already—"

I didn't even get to finish before Clement cut me off. "Lucille! You can't handle things, and you're dragging other's names through the mud! What's gotten into you?"

He released my hand and headed to his room.

I watched him walk away and couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating smile. He wouldn't believe me, even if I told him the truth.

…

Clement woke me up early the next morning. He'd been asked to be a judge on a talent show. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized Vivian had been invited as a special guest.

Just like I thought, the camera kept focusing on the two of them from the moment filming started, capturing every sweet, intimate exchange.

As soon as the first taping was over, Clement took Vivian backstage. They brushed past me as if I didn't exist, walking right into the lounge.

Vivian shot me a triumphant smile over her shoulder.

I had been by Clement's side for seven years as his assistant, dedicating all my resources and energy to building his career. I had even given up my finance career.

But now, Clement didn't need me anymore. And I had to watch him show off his first love, Vivian, everywhere they went.

They were inside the lounge, chatting with the show's producer.

I couldn't hear their conversation, but Vivian's soft, sweet laughter flowed out in waves. I went through the project papers I hadn't finished yet, and everything just felt like a blur.

"Oh my, Queen Vivi is so thoughtful with Clem!" the producer teased.

I couldn't help myself and glanced toward the lounge again. Through the glass, I saw Vivian carefully wiping coffee from Clement's lips with a tissue.

All I could see was them looking like a couple sharing a kiss, and a wave of helplessness washed over me.

Clement and I had been together for seven years, and we tied the knot five years ago. His career took off after we married, and my resources and connections weren't enough for him anymore.

I let people trample on my pride to help him seal one deal after another. He wouldn't publicly recognize our marriage, and I went along with it without saying a word.

But now, I was actually thinking about divorce for the first time.

As soon as Clement's lunch was on the table, Vivian casually picked the olives off her plate and added them to Clement's.

I was about to stop her, but then I saw Clement smiling at her like this was something she'd done a thousand times.

"You two say you're not a couple but are so in sync. You've probably already gotten married in secret, huh?" the producer joked.

"We're really just friends," Clement said with a smile.

Vivian's smile slipped for a moment before she regained it. "He's always loved olives. I used to treat him like this all the time."

Her words hit me like a cold splash of water. Clement actually loved olives?

I remembered the first meal I'd made for him. The moment he saw olives in the salad, he tossed the plate and cutlery into the trash. He was so disgusted that he ran to the bathroom to puke.

"Didn't I tell you I can't stand olives? Why'd you put them in my food?"

It hit me just then that it wasn't the olives he hated—it was the memories they brought back.

I looked at Clement, who remained calm the entire time.

When I turned to leave, my phone slipped from my hand and lit up as it hit the floor. Clement's picture was on my lock screen, and everyone saw it.

I reached for it, but the producer got to it first. His eyes flicked between me and Clement, looking suspicious. "Isn't that why they say fans shouldn't be assistants? What's this—"

"It was a dare from a team-building game," I blurted out.

Clement looked relieved when he heard that.

"My lock screen's way better!" Vivian chimed in.

I looked where the producer was looking and saw her lock screen. It was a shot taken under fireworks, with her and Clement leaning in by the lake. They were so close that their lips seemed ready to meet.

"Clem loves fireworks. I finally kept my promise and watched them with him yesterday. What do you think of the shot, Lucille? Looks great, right?" Vivian asked with a grin.

I forced a smile at her daring gaze. "Yeah, it looks like a couple's photo."

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Clement was rubbing his fingertips together. It was his tell when he was ticked off.

I was halfway through my meal when Vivian's assistant suddenly appeared beside me. Before I could react, he tossed a rag into my soup, sending oily bits all over me.

"Wash Vivian's car later," he said.

It rained hard today, and her car was covered in mud.

I ignored Vivian's assistant and quietly wiped my hands.

When he saw I wasn't moving, he leaned it and yelled in my ear, "Are you deaf? Why aren't you answering me? That's so rude!"

Then, he reached out for my collar.

I let Clement have his way because I loved him, but that didn't mean I would let some nobody walk all over me.

I grabbed my half-eaten meal from the table and dumped it over his head. "Get lost! Asshole!"

Vivian came rushing out at the sound of the noise and shielded her assistant behind her as if I was the one making a scene.

"Lucille, if you've got a problem with me, come at me, but leave my assistant out of it. He's not some punching bag you can just take out your frustration on!"

Her words were enough to make all the staff side with her assistant, and they glared at me with contempt.

Clement strolled over and pulled Vivian aside, and I was left staring at the back of him. He said sharply, "All of you, inside now."

I gave a rueful smile, wondering if he was playing the hero for his first love.

I stood across from Clement and questioned Vivian, "Wasn't it you who told me to wash your car? Wasn't it you who called me rude? So you're calling me rude just because I won't do your dirty work?"

I couldn't help but notice how her hand remained in Clement's.

"Oh, right," I added. "You're a rising movie star with Clement—the Best Actor—backing you. So, you're into playing this two-faced game, huh?"

I'd always been careful not to damage Clement's career, but what did I get in return? Nothing but him rekindling things with Vivian.

She was the one who ruined our marriage, but she kept messing with me until I couldn't take it anymore.

The moment Vivian felt Clement let go of her hand, her mind raced, and she quickly put on a smile. "Oh, Lucille, what are you saying? I had to play it fair with everyone watching, right?"

Vivian saw I wasn't reacting and immediately slapped her assistant. "What's your problem? I asked you to get someone to wash the car, and you're messing with Lucille? You really have no common sense!"

Then, she stepped closer and said, "Lucille, my assistant was out of line. Please, be the bigger person and let it go as a favor to me, alright?"

She laid a hand on my shoulder. I was about to shove her off, but she grabbed my wrist first. "Clem gave me this ring, but it looks way better on you. It's just a size too big for me."

Clement gave me that ring last month for Valentine's Day. He didn't get me a ring when we got married and told me, "Since it's a secret marriage, a ring would be a waste."

I remembered the joy I felt the night I wore the ring. I was so happy I couldn't sleep and admired it until the sun came up. It turned out to be something Vivian tossed aside.

"Get your filthy hand off me!" I snapped.

Vivian froze.

Clement couldn't take it any longer. "Lucille, don't forget your place! Why are you acting so superior before everyone?"

I was stunned. Had I really sunk so low that I forgot my place?

Vivian gave me a smug look while Clement wasn't looking.

Could first love truly be that unforgettable? Oh, Lucille, you had brought yourself down to the dirt.

I was done with Clement. I was about to open the door to leave, but a sharp, sickening twist hit my stomach when my fingers touched the doorframe. I crouched down, doubling over from the pain.

Clement rushed over and grabbed my wrist. "What's wrong? Is it your stomach acting up again?"

It was the first time I felt like shaking his hand off, but the pain made it impossible.

"You too… Get your filthy hand off me…" I barely whispered, but the silence in the room made sure everyone heard.

Vivian came to her senses and smirked, hoping this would finally make Clement despise me.

"Quit making a scene, alright? I'll have someone take you to the hospital."

Before Clement could call anyone, I fought through the pain and managed to grab his wrist. He looked down as I pulled the ring off and flung it toward Vivian. "I don't want your ring."

I passed out before I could even see his reaction.

When I came around, I found myself in a hospital bed.

Clement saw I was awake and snapped, "You're in such bad condition, and you didn't say a thing? What, you think I can't manage without you?"

He made it seem like I was to blame. He was actually with Vivian by the lake that day while I was sick.

"Today's incident with Vivi is going to make things look bad," he continued. "Don't bother coming in starting tomorrow. You're sick, so it's better if you stay home and manage things at the house."

Clement went ahead and canceled all my work. I could tell he was worried that today's incident might damage Vivian's image.

Suddenly, I felt a chill on my finger. I looked down and saw that Clement had pulled the ring I threw away out of his bag and slid it back onto my finger. I shook my hand, and the ring fell to the floor.

"Lucille, there's only so much I can take—"

"We're getting a divorce!" I interrupted.

He snorted. "Lucille, can you stop being so difficult? Is this about Vivi again? I told you, we're just friends. The scandals are for publicity, and it helps both of our careers! Can't you make a little sacrifice?"

Clement rambled on, his eyes clouded with an irritation he wasn't aware of. He looked so groomed. We'd been together for seven years, but now he seemed like someone else.

I gave him a cold look and said, "I want a divorce. We're done!"