"Tell me, Nolan Carter! Why were you fighting?"

I handed my phone to my boyfriend. His gaze shifted from my face to the phone I had just forced him to take. There, a video showed Nolan involved in a fight with another actor who was the center of media attention, just because he defended a woman.

But that woman wasn’t me, it was a model named Valerie.

"Scarlett, don’t misunderstand! I was just helping Valerie because that actor was being inappropriate and hitting on her. It made Valerie uncomfortable."

I could only laugh bitterly. He was more focused on defending Valerie than caring about my feelings.

I held back my anger in silence, but Nolan gently touched my cheek.

"Honey, don’t be jealous. I was just protecting a coworker. Besides, we were in a photoshoot together at the time."

But the problem was, that wasn’t the first time Nolan was always with Valerie. That marked Nolan’s fifth betrayal of me, which had already become media fodder.

The first betrayal happened when he forgot my birthday, even though I had reminded him over and over. That night, I sat alone until late at night, waiting for Nolan to come. I had prepared a cake and a small celebration. But instead, he celebrated his win as Best Actor with Valerie, forgetting my simple party and not celebrating it with me.

The second, he forgot to pick me up, and instead partied on a yacht with Valerie to celebrate her birthday. Meanwhile, I arrived at my apartment, waiting for news from him with deep concern.

Unbelievable! All my worries about Nolan disappeared the moment I found out everything from an unknown number, and I saw a clear video of Nolan and Valerie laughing together.

The ninth betrayal... the most painful.

Nolan called off our wedding.

Invitations had already been sent out. A luxury hotel had been booked. My wedding dress, which I had passionately sewn myself over the course of months, hung neatly along with his tuxedo.

But all of it ended as just a nightmare. Even more painful was the reason behind it all.

“Our wedding it would lower my marketability in the public eye. Valerie is more suitable as a public figure’s partner. We’ve been contracted as a couple icon.”

Nolan uttered his words as if they meant nothing. But behind those words, my entire world collapsed.

"Calm down, Scarlett! This is just temporary. After the contract ends, we’ll build our dream wedding."

Again and again, Nolan tried to extinguish my disappointment. But it wasn’t enough.

The news spread quickly. While I was busy answering media questions, clarifying the reason our wedding was canceled, Nolan was caught on camera enjoying a romantic dinner with Valerie in Paris.

I was bombarded with comments, accused of seeking attention, laughed at for being left behind.

Nolan disappeared just like that, as if I never existed. As if my love was just a shadow easily blown away by the wind. Three years with him were all for nothing.

That night, I went home to my apartment in silence.

My wedding dress was still hanging gracefully there. But there was no more emotion or happiness when I looked at it, only a rage slowly burning in my chest.

I yanked the dress from its hanger, threw it to the floor. Then I kicked it, dragged it, and ripped it with my bare hands.

Pearl beads scattered on the floor like falling tears. Just like the ones I’d held back since the first betrayal.

I wiped the tears mixed with anger, gathered the scattered dress, then lit a fire. I needed to see something destroyed. If not this pain, then let it be my buried dream.

But for the ninth time of betrayal... I forgave Nolan again.

Maybe I’ll stay quiet until the thirteenth betrayal. An unlucky number that fits to end this cheap drama. Ironically, he once desperately begged to have me.

That same day, I called my father, the man who once tried to arrange my marriage with a wealthy man. Back then I refused, because Nolan begged me on his knees, crying, as if I was everything to him. But now, without hesitation, I actually wanted that arranged marriage to happen.

"Dad, is your marriage proposal from before still on the table? I’ll accept it now."

My father was surprised to hear that, and suddenly chuckled.

"Finally, you changed your mind, Scarlett. Life has to be realistic, right?"

I also gave a bitter laugh while roughly wiping my tears.

This time, I will choose who gets to be my husband. No matter who he is now, at least he's not Nolan and that's enough for me.

****

It had been a few days since Nolan disappeared. I thought he wouldn’t come back, until that night he suddenly showed up at my apartment door.

Without permission, he hugged me. The warmth of his embrace was still the same, and I inhaled the scent of a woman’s perfume on his body.

He kissed my forehead, then my lips, like a lover returning from a long journey.

“I missed you so much, Honey,” he whispered softly. But I stood there like a statue, showing no expression, flat.

When I entered the bedroom. On the bed, he hugged me again from behind, his head resting on my shoulder. Just a little more, and the wall I had worked so hard to build nearly crumbled from his warmth.

Until his phone rang.

He answered it beside me. I could clearly hear Valerie’s voice.

“Nolan, please help me! The lights in my house suddenly went out. I’m afraid of the dark.”

Valerie once again disrupted my relationship with Nolan. Ever since her arrival this past year, when she decided to move to New York, my relationship with Nolan had slowly started to crumble.

It only took a few seconds. Nolan got up, grabbed his jacket.

Without looking back, he left in a hurry. He chose her again.

I lay there alone, hugging the leftover warmth of his body that slowly turned cold and empty.

****

One time, Nolan asked me to make a dress for a famous actress who would be appearing at the annual fashion event.

“Honey, I need something special. A dress that can steal the stage for her. Only you can make that.”

“That dress, match it to your body measurements, because I noticed your body shape is almost the same as hers,” Nolan told me.

I worked on it wholeheartedly. Every fold, every embroidery detail, I crafted as if it were for myself.

And Nolan praised it over and over again.

“This is amazing, baby. This dress will make her shine even more, and she’ll definitely be proud of your magical hands.”

Until the day of the event arrived.

I came as a guest, sat in the third row, waiting to see who would wear my most beautiful creation.

In the final moments of the event. Valerie appeared on stage. Wearing the dress I made, which truly shocked me.

Her steps were confident, her smile full of victory. The cheers and applause of the audience followed every strike of her heels on the runway.

It turned out, Nolan lied to me. It wasn’t a celebrity like he had said. But he gave the dress to Valerie.

I stood up, not waiting for the event to end.

But I ran into Valerie backstage. She gave me a mocking smile as she approached.

“Were you surprised or dazzled by my appearance, Scarlett?” she whispered softly. “You really are a great designer. I admit your dress is stunning. And look, who’s shining tonight.”

I turned my face away, and before I could reply, Valerie walked off with a wide smile.

The monitor backstage lit up. There, Nolan stood beside Valerie. A reporter asked about the beautiful dress.

“Was Miss Valerie’s dress and your outfit tonight designed by Miss Scarlett Hayes?”

Nolan chuckled, then looked at the camera with a crooked smile.

“Who said this was Scarlett’s work? She wasn’t even involved in the process. She doesn’t even know the concept of making this dress and my outfit.”

I stepped back, walking away from that place. Enough, I didn’t want Nolan anymore.

"Hey, Scarlett! What are you doing here?"

I turned as the silence disappeared, finding my father approaching with a wide smile. In his hand was a bottle of liquor.

I held my breath for a moment.

“Dad, let me stay with you here, just for a while. Right now, I don’t want to stay in the apartment.” My voice trembled, full of hope that he would understand how I felt. At least help me so I wouldn’t have to see Nolan right now.

Dad suddenly let out a mocking laugh.

“What’s wrong with you? I already told you I’m still waiting for Mr. Charles decision about the arranged marriage. In the meantime, you can be with Nolan, at least until my debt is paid off!”

“What? You don’t understand. Nolan has already called off our wedding. He humiliated me in front of everyone. You should be defending me, not—”

Dad stepped forward, his face sharply closing in.

“Shhh! Quiet, Scarlett! I’m your father! Don’t act like you can control everything. Wasn’t it you who rejected the arranged marriage for Nolan in the first place? And now, after three years, you want me to go back and persuade Mr. Charles for his son? It’s not that easy.”

I fell silent. My chest rumbled with uncontainable frustration.

“I already saw Nolan’s post with that stunning woman. Isn’t she a model? Scarlett, don’t be so sensitive. You should understand that the celebrity world is just like that.”

My father chuckled softly, as if his words had just placed me in the wrong and completely dismissed how I felt.

Every time I saw Nolan and Valerie on screen, whether they were smiling or hugging, my heart felt like it was crushed by a burning stone. Meanwhile, the comments from their fans made me feel like I didn’t mean anything at all.

[They’re the perfect couple, like today’s Romeo and Juliet!]

[Finally, Nolan’s with someone on his level. Not Scarlett. Honestly, she looks more like an extra.]

[Nolan’s choice is way classier this time. Not with that fashion designer! She should’ve never dreamed of being a star’s partner in the first place.]

Look at that! The world is laughing at me. And my own father is pushing my head further into the mud.

I knew that behind my father’s attitude, he didn’t support this relationship out of love but for profit. Nolan only became worthy once popularity and wealth came his way. If he had remained an ordinary man without a big name, my father would’ve kicked him out of my life a long time ago. All he ever chased was the transaction value of every relationship.

“I’m going to call Nolan. Let him pick you up tonight.”

Dad walked over and sat on the couch. He tapped his phone screen and held it to his ear.

“Nolan, Scarlett’s at my house now. She seems a bit under the weather, or maybe... her mood’s just off. Would you come pick her up?”

I glanced cynically as my father’s voice turned sugar-sweet for Nolan. My father always had a way of selling his drama just to make sure Nolan would come.

“Scarlett! You’re still standing there? Sit down now! Wait until Nolan arrives!” he snapped lightly, but with pressure, as the call ended.

I took a deep breath, half-heartedly, then dragged my body to the sofa and sat beside him in silence.

Twenty minutes later, Nolan’s car pulled up in front of the house. I got in without a word. During the ride, silence wrapped around us and neither of us started a conversation.

Until finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Tell me! Why didn’t you credit my design? And about that actress’s dress… it turned out to be Valerie? Isn’t she a model?”

I suddenly bombarded him with questions. Nolan turned quickly, looking nervous.

“Oh, Honey. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was just trying to protect you. If I mentioned your name, the media would’ve dragged you everywhere. Besides, that dress wasn’t originally for Valerie. My original partner canceled, so… Valerie filled in.”

I turned back to the window, falling silent again. Nolan always had a reason.

Once we arrived at the apartment, Nolan opened the trunk and handed me a paper bag.

“I got something for you. Please don’t be mad at me.”

I looked at him sharply, then slowly took it from his hand.

Nolan gently stroked my arm, then leaned his face closer to mine.

“I’m sorry… I have to go again tonight. But I promise I’ll be back soon. You know, lately the entertainment world has taken up so much of my time. I hope you understand.”

I searched his face, looking for sincerity in his eyes. My gaze slowly dropped to his white blazer, and there on the collar, I saw a red lipstick stain.

Red lipstick, just like the kind Valerie always wears.

I held in a deep breath, then gave a small nod.

“That’s a limited edition dress. I’m sure you’ll like it,” Nolan added.

I forced a smile, thanked him, then stepped into the apartment as if I had forgotten what he had done.

As soon as the door closed, driven by curiosity, I immediately opened the paper bag. Instantly, my eyes fell on a blazing red dress—so revealing and flashy. Far from my taste. Nolan should’ve known that.

I reflexively brought it closer to my nose. Valerie’s perfume burst out, so strong and piercing.

Then my phone vibrated.

A video came in from an unknown number.

Clearly in the recording, Valerie was sitting on Nolan’s lap, laughing and caressing his face. Then she kissed Nolan’s lips passionately.

A few seconds later, they were already in bed, undressing each other.

And what almost made my heart stop beating Valerie was wearing that red dress. The dress that was now in my hands.

“Oh my God!” I instantly threw the dress to the floor.

My breathing quickened. My throat tightened.

“Damn it! So Valerie wore this dress while sleeping with Nolan? Why would Nolan give it to me? Bastard!”

I closed my eyes, holding back the rage and disgust that merged into one.

“I have to endure this. Just this one time.”

"I need your help," Nolan said in a straightforward manner. He appeared out of nowhere in my boutique.

"What do you want?"

"I've been asked to a party by a big perfume company. They want Valerie and me as the couple in their ad campaign. I hope you can make us an amazing exclusive collection for us. One set. A couple's outfit.".

I stared at him for a long while. I suppose it was more amusing for Nolan to waste all his time with Valerie than to do anything for me.

I nodded my head to his sentences like a trained robot.

"All right. I'll make it."

He breathed easier with a huge sigh, as if the world had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Scarlett, you're a sweet woman. I'm sorry that my promise to wed you has been put on hold because of my job. But I assure you, marrying you is my wish."

I could muster a pale smile and nodded. Trying to accept his promise, which I knew would eventually be broken.

Nolan squeezed my hand for a moment. "Thanks for being understanding."

I just sat there staring at my fingers as he left. Still warm, but no longer whole.

****

I've been weird the last few days. I've been dizzy, nauseous, and vomiting every morning. My appetite's gone, and I can barely tolerate the scent of the perfume I usually wear.

My head was heavy rolling out of bed. And then my phone buzzed like a flurry of messages arriving.

And it was a full dozen messages. All photo and video from a quantity that hadn't registered.

Heavier in my chest, I opened the first video.

And there they were. Valerie and Nolan.

Dark room. Satin sheets draped over nothing. Bodies all wrapped in each other on the bed.

I tried to conclude the video, but another video replaced it instead. And this one was worse. It was longer.

Then a clear voice full of moans.

"Look at me, Valerie. Only you can make me feel this way and lose control."

"You still like it, don't you? When I touch you like that…"

Valerie moaned gently, then spoke in labored breaths, "I love it, every touch by you, darling."

"Say what you want tonight," Nolan whispered in a kiss.

"You… only you… Nolan. No one else," Valerie panted, stifling a moan.

Nolan inched closer, kissing her neck gradually, before he spoke softly.

"Show me, now! Let's fight to let this passion go."

I gagged.

My body blazed at once. My hands trembled and I nearly dropped my phone.

I ran to the sink. Nausea I had stifled burst in a single wild spasm.

I vomited the putrid liquid from my stomach.

Teardrops accompanied the revulsion that flowed into my mouth.

Because my health had been failing, I at last had myself tested.

I was stunned when the doctor told me the test results which I had just undergone.

"Congratulations, you are four weeks pregnant," the doctor spoke with a smile.

I was dumbfounded, not knowing what to say.

Do I need to be happy or be in tatters?

That moment was there when Nolan was intoxicated, and I could not hold him back. In a mistake, we had ended up in that night.

I looked down at the small ultrasound report in my hand. Part of me wanted to be thrilled, hoping for nothing more than that this child's life would soften Nolan's heart and cause him to love me. But the image of that hot video nagged in my mind for the umpteenth time.

With hope, I clutched the test results to me and left the room. I would speak with Nolan, at least let him know. Maybe there still was a path through it all.

But I procrastinated. When I met Valerie on my way to go down to the main floor.

She folded her arms over her chest with a satisfied smirk. Her bright scarlet lips curled in disdain.

"Hello, Scarlett! Did you see the video I sent? You know who captured Nolan's heart, don't you?"

I was taken aback by what she said. So Valerie was the number that did not reveal my name. I could not hold back my fury and slapped her on the face.

"So it's been you all this while trying to get at me? You bitch!"

Valerie gasped, but only for a moment. Her face was fierce.

"You've got some nerve!"

She shoved me hard. I hadn't seen it coming. My heel had slipped on the steps.

I fell, thumping several stairs, then rolled until my body came to rest against the ground below.

My leg hurt with pain, and a burning, searing pain flashed through my abdomen. When I placed my hand on my thigh, blood began trickling down my skirt.

"No! My baby…" I whispered softly, my lips quivering.

Valerie shrieked suddenly.

She collapsed onto the ground, shrieking hysterically.

"Nolan! Help me!"

Down from the topmost floor came Nolan, frantic. His eyes were locked on Valerie, sobbing theatrically. He fell to his knees immediately to check Valerie's leg.

"What happened?" Nolan exclaimed anxiously.

"It looks like Scarlett was jealous of me. she shoved me on purpose down the stairs. And now my leg really aches," Valerie gasped dramatically.

Nolan's face turned cold. He scowled at me. He walked over and grasped my arm in a tight hold.

"What the deuce, Scarlett?! What did you do to her?"

I couldn't talk. Stomach cramps worsened along with leg aches.

All I could do is look at the blood still flowing beneath my thigh.

Nolan pulled his hand back harshly. Then turned, taking Valerie instantly and leaving me behind.

I was all shattering at once my body, heart, and last tiny hope.

In my mind, I was counting once more.

"This is the twelfth time, Nolan. Wear one more! And never see me again!”