He finally noticed me, eyes wide in a flash of panic, "Why are you here!"

Stunned, I just flashed my meet-and-greet ticket.

Lily Evans leaned in, all coy, "James, stop eyeballing other chicks, it makes me crazy jealous, like, seriously hurts."

James didn't go for a kiss.

He just pushed her back, holding her off like she was just some acquaintance.

He grumbled and stepped aside, letting me through, like he barely knew me.

How bizarre.

That night, James didn't roll in until way past midnight.

I was lounging on the couch, catching him chatting on his phone, totally ignoring me.

"Enough with the drama. I'll swing by, change, then come pamper you."

His shirt collar was a canvas of smeared lipstick, like a badge of dishonor.

Half an hour later, he strutted in pretending he'd just got back.

Even bleary-eyed, he mumbled some pointers for my comic's plot.

Barely had time to think it over when my editor buzzed me—my comic was trending.

#Lily Evans suspected to be the real-life muse for the comics#

Someone chimed in below.

"Check this out. I've matched up Lily's known whereabouts with the comic's key scenes. Coincidence? More like she's the living embodiment."

"Talk about art imitating life. No wonder the creator said she and her hubby cooked this up together—they're flaunting it for the world."

"Bet you, next week's chapter ditches the concert scene."

Reading through these comments, I felt a tightening in my chest.

I clicked on the fan-compiled link. Last week's chapter? Hero takes the heroine to an amusement park. Just days ago, Lily was snapped at an overseas park, not alone.

I tried calling him all that day; his phone was off the grid.

Next day, James was like, "Let's hit up the amusement park."

Last week, on a whim, I sketched a scene where the hero and heroine chase the aurora together.

Pulled an all-nighter fleshing it out.

Draft after draft, I'd show him the fresh storyboards.

He nodded, "Not bad, I'll post this soon."

I kept tweaking it all week.

As soon as she logged on, Lily Evans dropped a video montage of her aurora adventure.

Just now, James urged me to sketch out a concert scene.

My grip on my phone tightened, wishing I could crush it.

A deep sorrow was swallowing me whole.

Yet, not a single tear fell.

The editor hadn't even hung up yet and was pitching ideas.

"The drama's buzzing pretty well."

"Got next week's content? If not, let's roll with what the netizens want—a concert scene to keep the hype alive."

My voice shook as I replied, stunned, "This comic ends here. Permanently."

The editor was speechless, forgetting to ask if something was off with me.

As I cleaned up my drawing table, I said, "Nothing's wrong, just sick of sketching the same old lead. Time to break new ground."

On my way to sort things at the office.

The editor tried to talk me down the whole way—contract breach fines, not to mention copyright fees were steep.

Years back, I'd sold my first comic's exclusive rights to a company under James's name.

Maybe James really was smitten with Lily, since he brought her along to work.

That was why I bumped into her once I got into the office.

The moment she saw me, she apologized, "Gracy, I had no idea you drew that. James never told me."

"Don't mind the netizens. They just spin tales. I'm not your muse. They're blowing it out of proportion."

Before I could respond, she grabbed my arm, faking closeness,

"Good thing James is with you. I'd worry if it were anyone else."

"Got time soon? The professor keeps asking about you."

I twisted the ring on my finger, "I'll visit when I can."

"You're right, you're not the muse. I'll clarify that and erase this character for good."

After that, Lily's face fell.

She suddenly clutched her stomach, gasping for air, looking like she was about to collapse.

Her eyes locked on me, she lunged, but I instinctively dodged.

Just as I thought of helping, James barreled in, throwing me off balance.

Stunned, I pictured Lily bloodied and broken.

James was frantic, barely touching her, "Grace, if anything happens to our baby, I'll never forgive you."

Tears streamed down Lily's face as she clung to James, "It's not her fault, I got carried away. Didn't think Grace would wish me dead after the net chatter. Didn't think she'd be this mad."

"James, our baby will be okay, right?"

Hearing her, James looked even more remorseful.

He wrapped his arms around Lily, comforting her with a voice so tender it could wring tears from a stone.

I'd spent my best years behind him, but now, I was the punchline.

He looked at me, eyes full of a cold breakup. As if to say. I was a smear in his life.

Luckily, Lily was rushed to the hospital just in time and the baby was fine.

I bailed early and headed back to what barely feels like home anymore.

There was a time when James wouldn't even come home, dodging my affection like it was the plague.

He thought I was trying to trap him with the kid.

When the door swung open, it wasn't what I expected—no yelling, no drama, as if nothing had happened.

James pulled out a slice of cake and offered it to me. "Why'd you jet off so early? I couldn't find you anywhere."

He didn't bother with the baby talk, treating me like I was clueless.

I pushed his hand away, laughing it off, "Congrats, James, you're a dad now."

James's eyes narrowed, a clear sign he was ticked off.

"I can explain."

Staring at him, all I felt was this deep, bitter ache.

It's pointless to bang your head against a wall you can't break through.

"James, let's just get a divorce."

James froze, then in disbelief, grabbed my neck and shoved me onto the sofa, "Dare to say that again?"

"Without me, you'd be nowhere!"

Say it a hundred times, it'd still be the same.

But right then, I stayed silent, scared he might actually choke me out.

James's mood swings were off the charts; he'd do anything to get his way.

Struggling to breathe, my nails dug into his arms, drawing blood.

Suddenly, he let go of my neck.

After what felt like forever, he slumped against my shoulder.

"Grace, I'm sorry."

"We'll talk another time."

He tossed the cake into the trash from the coffee table in one smooth move.

Gasping for air, I watched him storm out and slam the door behind him.

Just like that, again.

Every time things go south, he's the one who calls it quits. He drives me mad, then plays the peacemaker.

Maybe I'm just a glass of water for James to quench his thirst on his journey.

So he doesn't really care how I feel.

The next time we met was at a promotional event for my new comics.

I didn't expect the sponsors to have Lily show up, with James tagging along.

Sitting down, James shot me a vague glance but kept mum.

James is usually so meticulous and reports every detail of his day.

Apart from seeing Lily Evans, he only mentioned some client meetings.

On our anniversary, he'd nudge me to update more, claiming he was doing it for the fans, even gathering loads of materials for my choice.

I thought it was his way of showing love.

Turns out, I was just recording their lives.

By coincidence, they saw the aurora, and by chance, I drew it.

Turns out I was just part of their script.

But thankfully, it's all ending now.

It was supposed to be about my comics, but thanks to James's status, I barely got any camera time.

The host, hoping to spike the show's ratings, dug up old dirt, "I heard Gracy's original comics stopped updating. Is it because our heroine is too caught up in happiness, unsure of what scene to draw next?"

The camera zoomed in on me and I froze, speechless.

Seeing the audience tuning out, the host swiftly panned away.

"Everyone knows the hero of the Gracy's comics is Mr. Bennett. How about it, Mr. Bennett, who do you picture as the heroine?"

James smiled with no hesitation, "Do I even need to answer? Lily has always been my ideal leading lady."

The director wasn't letting this slide, quickly flashing a cue card.

The host upped the ante, "So, James, are you indirectly confirming that Gracy's work is a testament to your love?"

James watched me crumple the new book's cover.

A hint of a smirk, and he playfully responded, "Absolutely, we owe it all to Grace."

As they said this, they intertwined their fingers and faced the camera. The identical diamond rings on their fingers sparkled conspicuously.