On the third anniversary, which also happens to be Natalie Sherman's birthday, her husband, Lester Garrison, gives her a very special gift—a divorce agreement.

Calmly, Lester picks up a pen and drops his signature on the bottom left corner of the agreement. Then, he pushes the document in Natalie's direction.

"Rene is very stubborn, and it's very difficult for me to appease her. Only when I'm divorced will she agree to accept me as her lover.

"I've already signed the divorce agreement. You should do the same. Don't worry, we're just faking this divorce."

Lester's tone is very casual, not to mention he sounds emotionless, too. It's as though he's discussing what to have for dinner tonight.

Natalie Sherman had stopped concerning herself with how Lester Garrison lived his private life outside their marriage.

Still, Irene Sterling was a name she knew well, thanks to the entertainment news that was all over the internet.

Irene was a newly signed young actress under Lester’s company. She was a young woman in her 20s, brimming with youth and vigor.

Most interestingly, Lester had been pursuing her for nearly two months, yet she showed no interest in him at all.

In the past, Lester would usually have lost interest in his lovers within a month.

Irene was different. Not only did she hold his attention longer than the rest, but she also got him to bring up a pretend divorce with Natalie.

Natalie took the divorce papers from him with a subtle smirk. "Is this the gift you've gotten for me? It's quite an unusual one, I'd say."

Confusion crossed Lester's face. When he finally recalled the occasion that day, he seemed apologetic.

"I've been busy being nice to Rene on set recently. It totally slipped my mind that it's our anniversary and your birthday today. I'm sorry. I'll get my assistant to bring over a gift later."

With his new love interest in sight, there was indeed no room left in his heart for Natalie anymore.

Her smirk oozing with sarcasm, Natalie replied, "Never mind. We're getting a divorce soon anyway. Keep your gifts for someone else."

Lester frowned at her words. Displeased, he retorted, "It's just a pretend divorce. We just have to sign the papers to make Rene happy. It's not like we're really getting a divorce certificate."

Was that really the case?

Nevertheless, Natalie had made up her mind to divorce him for real.

Keeping that thought to herself, she picked up the pen and signed the paper solemnly.

She was putting an end to her three years of marriage.

After she signed the papers, Lester sighed in relief. He took a photo of the divorce papers and made a phone call.

The person on the other end said something that pleased Lester very much. In a gentle tone, he coaxed, "I've already gotten a divorce, so you and I can officially start dating now. Wait there. I'll pick you up, then we'll have a little celebration."

After ending the call, he got up and took his coat as he headed outside. Right before he closed the door, he seemed to remember something and turned to Natalie.

"Rene has just agreed to go out with me, so I'll be with her today. Next year, I'll celebrate our wedding anniversary and your birthday with you."

Then, he hurriedly shut the door, eager to meet his young lover.

Naturally, he didn't hear Natalie's soft reply. She murmured, "Lester, there won't be a next year."

After the rumble of his car diminished into the distance, Natalie went upstairs and opened the safe. She retrieved the marriage certificates stowed away at the back of the safe.

She stared at the two beaming faces in the photo attached to the certificates.

It was a photo of her and Lester, with her being 24 years old and him being 26.

They stood close together, their eyes shining with affection for each other and with anticipation of the life ahead together.

Her gaze then subconsciously fell on the signed divorce papers.

How did it all come to this?

She remembered the first time she met Lester. It was during a wrap-up celebration after a shoot.

Back then, she was new to the acting industry. She had incidentally bumped into Lester around the corner, who was clutching his stomach and whose face was as pale as a sheet.

Realizing his stomach wasn't feeling quite well because he'd had too much to drink, she'd pulled out a bottle of yogurt from her bag and given it to him.

Because of her act of kindness, Lester took an interest in her. Over time, he developed romantic feelings for her.

However, Lester was out of the league for most people; he was the legitimate heir of the powerful Garrison family.

Having a realistic understanding of herself, she'd never expect someone from a wealthy family like him to fall in love with an average woman like her. She was sure he wasn't taking things seriously, so she rejected him without hesitation.

To her surprise, Lester didn't give up. In fact, he had always been by her side. Despite being a proud CEO of a company, he decided to wait on her as though he were her assistant.

During mealtimes, he prepared food for her and sent it to her on set. When she fell sick from working nonstop, he anxiously took her to the hospital. After every scene that required her to be underwater, he'd immediately serve her some ginger tea.

She wasn't a robot without feelings. His continuous show of affection slowly moved her.

Once, there had been an accident while she was descending from a wire stunt. Right before she crashed into the ground, Lester threw himself beneath her to cushion her fall. That was the moment she fell for him.

She had escaped the incident unscathed, but he had had two ribs broken.

After they had started dating, Lester had told his family she was the only woman he would marry. He didn't give in even when his family punished him for his decision.

Not wanting to be his burden, Natalie worked around the clock for four whole years. Finally, she won Best Actress and earned the Garrison family's approval.

On the day of their wedding, the whole internet had showered them with blessings, wishing them a blissful marriage. Some even exclaimed at how rare it was to see someone as loyal as Lester among the rich.

Natalie had thought so too. She had thought their marriage would be long-lived and filled with affection.

However, in the second year of their marriage, she started spotting lipstick stains on Lester's shirt.

The first time it happened, she bawled her eyes out.

Lester, who'd always been proud, knelt before her as he swore it was his business rival scheming against him. He vowed that it would never happen again.

Considering how long they'd been with each other, Natalie chose to forgive him.

However, he soon began staying out all night.

Countless times, she bombarded him with calls and demanded an explanation like a crazy woman. She stalked him and argued hysterically with him when he returned home.

All he did was watch her release her anger. Then, he'd calmly persuade, "Nat, no one in our social circle would stay loyal to one woman forever. All you have to know is you're the only one I love, and my wife will only be you."

Besides him, everyone else she knew gave her similar advice—His lovers wouldn't be with him forever. All she had to do was hold on to her role as his wife, and he'd eventually return to her. She only had to wait.

Therefore, she waited, only for him to bring up a pretend divorce for the sake of his lover.

The moment she saw him sign his name, something broke free in her.

Did she marry Lester for the Garrison family's wealth and authority?

No, she didn't.

She married him only because they were in love.

However, their love had become a pile of wreckage that stank.

Even their marriage, which they both cherished, had become Lester's tool to please his lover.

If that was the case, their marriage had lost all meaning.

Coming to her senses, Natalie picked up the divorce papers and went to the courthouse.

The staff made sure the documents were complete before telling her to pick up their divorce certificate a month later.

As she walked out of the courthouse and into the sun, she felt a sense of ease for the first time in a long while.

Then, she dialed a number that she'd saved long ago.

"Allen, I'd love to accept your offer to join your production in Echalon."

A loud clatter came through the receiver. It was several moments later when she heard Allen Lang exclaim in pure excitement, "Natalie, you finally accepted the role! I've been keeping it for you! Our production will definitely win an award with you joining the cast."

Before Natalie married Lester, Lester's mother had asked her to stop acting and focus on family after the wedding.

For the past three years, aside from attending necessary events as Lester's partner, she had no longer been active in the industry.

She had almost forgotten how it felt to be the youngest Best Actress three years ago.

Thankfully, she'd receive the divorce certificate in a month and return to the acting industry she was passionate about.

"Natalie, when will you be coming to Echalon? I can't wait any longer!"

Natalie checked the calendar. Then, she answered softly, "I'll be there on the 6th of next month."

That was the day she could obtain the divorce certificate.

Once she received the document, she would fly to Echalon.

She spoke with Allen briefly about her upcoming role before ending the call.

Just as she entered her car, a notification sounded on her phone, a special ringtone she used for certain news.

She checked her phone and saw Lester's latest Twitter post.

"I'll do anything for you to be with me."

Alongside the caption were a photo of the divorce papers and another of his and Irene's hands clasped, their fingers intertwined.

Lester started his Twitter account seven years ago. Since then, he'd only posted three tweets.

The first was when Natalie agreed to make their relationship public.

The second was a celebratory status update when she won Best Actress.

The third was a flashy post announcing his love for her on their wedding day.

Now, he'd deleted those tweets. The latest tweet was the only one left on his account.

In the comments section, Irene's fans were in joy.

"Wow! A CEO and a gorgeous actress, what a couple!"

"Our Reenie is worthy of his affection! About time that old hag gets dumped!"

…

Later on, Natalie's name appeared on the trending list for the first time in a long while with hashtags like "#FormerBestActressNatalieShermanDivorced and #ExemplaryCoupleDivorcedAfterThreeYears

When she married Lester, she'd never imagined their relationship would end up like this.

Their love survived the Garrison family's massive disapproval, yet ended with Lester falling for someone else.

Suppressing the ache in her heart, she commented on his tweet, "Congrats on finding your new love, Mr. Garrison."

She had just posted it when she received a call from Yvonne Hall, her former manager.

"Nat, you and Mr. Garrison…"

Yvonne witnessed Natalie's rise to fame every step of the way. Even though Natalie had stopped acting after getting married, they remained friends.

Aware of Yvonne's hesitation to speak, Natalie replied, "It's true, Yvonne. Lester and I have signed the divorce papers."

Yvonne fell silent. When she spoke, she sounded regretful. "I saw how sincere he was back then and thought he was different from other wealthy men."

The sunlight shone through the trees overhead, leaving patches of shadow on Natalie's face.

When she married Lester, she had also thought he was a rare specimen among the rich, someone who stayed loyal.

Now, it seemed he was just a good actor.

If he were in the acting industry, he would easily win Best Actor.

After all, his performance even deceived her, someone who had once been Best Actress.

"Let's forget about him. Remember to be at the awards-giving ceremony on time. I'm already here."

Before her marriage, Natalie was the female lead in her last movie, "Before the End".

As the post-production process was demanding, it had only been aired last year. Nevertheless, it had already won several international awards.

Her role in the movie also earned her a nomination for Best Female Lead.

The award-giving ceremony was today.

After ending the call, she drove straight to the venue.

She had just found her seat when a commotion stirred at the entrance.

Looking toward the source of the noise, she saw Irene entering the hall, arms linked with Lester's.

Many reporters approached them as soon as they appeared.

"Mr. Garrison, do you regret ending your three-year marriage with Ms. Sherman just like that?"

"Ms. Sterling, Mr. Garrison divorced his wife for you. Do you think your actions are morally inappropriate?"

Irene replied to their ruthless questions confidently, "I will never be a mistress. Les and I started dating only after their divorce. Their relationship was already turbulent in the first place. I'm not at fault."

Lester gazed dotingly at her. "I don't regret my decision. If love is no longer present in a relationship, their marriage would only feel like a chain that restricts their freedom. Divorce will then be the best solution."

Every word stung Natalie so much that she ached deeply.

A chain, huh?

It turned out that their marriage was suffocating him.

Sitting beside her, Yvonne held her hand. Her eyes were filled with concern.

Natalie shook her head. Her gaze fell on Lester's hand, carefully holding the hems of Irene's gown, and her lips curved into a self-deprecating smile.

Actually, their marriage was nothing less than a chain to her too.

She already knew their love for each other had expired, but she ignored that fact, trying to deceive herself and others into believing otherwise.

Thankfully, they would both be free from the chain of marriage after a month.

The ceremony soon began.

When the Best Female Lead award was about to be announced, Natalie's palm became sweaty.

She had thought "Before the End" would be her last movie, so she poured endless effort into portraying her role.

If she could win the award tonight, it would mark the perfect end to her acting career in Caledon.

Namelist in hand, the host purposefully swept his gaze across the hall before he slowly announced, "The Best Female Lead of the Golden Frame Award goes to…Irene Sterling!"

A thunderous applause ensued.

Smiling, Irene pecked Lester's cheek before going to the stage to take her trophy.

Though disappointed, Natalie quickly regained her composure.

Peeved, Yvonne leaned closer to her. She muttered, "Nat, I've been asking around, and it seems the judges gave overwhelmingly positive feedback on your role in the movie. You were supposed to win the award. Could Mr. Garrison have bribed the—"

Before she could finish, Natalie instinctively retorted, "No, he wouldn't."

Lester wasn't someone who would sacrifice his principles for personal gain, and neither would he pull dirty tricks like that.

Even when they were deeply in love, he'd never used his connections to help her.

She continued, "New talents emerge every day and may someday surpass those before them. Perhaps her acting resonated better with the judges."

Yvonne was still displeased. "How could her role in that commercial film possibly win against yours?"

Natalie patted her arm, trying to calm her down.

"It doesn't matter anymore—I'll be heading to Echalon next month."

Yvonne's eyes widened in surprise. Her voice was laced with excitement. "Echalon? To work with Allen, the same director who'd approached you many times?"

Natalie nodded, smiling.

"That's wonderful! Allen is a world-renowned director! Don't forget me when you become an international film star!"

Natalie had to assure Yvonne she would never forget her before Yvonne finally left to attend to other matters.

After the Best Female Lead award was announced, Natalie no longer needed to stay. She got up to leave.

As she walked past the backstage area, she spotted Lester standing beside the stage with a bouquet of red roses.

Her fingers curled reflexively. Pretending she didn't see him, she turned to leave.

Then, she heard a voice speaking in an ingratiating tone. "Mr. Garrison, we've done as you instructed and presented the Best Female Lead award to Ms. Sterling. Do you need anything else?"

Natalie halted in her tracks.

Lester then said nonchalantly, "Just keep it to yourself. Irene doesn't have to know that Nat was the one who originally won the award."