I gave up my family business to be Avery's agent for eight years, and for those eight years, I was also her secret lover.

Every year for eight years, I proposed to Avery, only to be decisively rejected each time. But on the day of the Stellar Frame Awards ceremony, Avery publicly announced her engagement to another man.

"Thanks to Bryan's care over the years, I've achieved the success I have today. I've decided to marry him in three days," she said.

After saying that, Avery shot me a warning glance from the corner of her eye.

I fell silent, deep in thought for a moment, then dialed my mother's number. "Mom, I’m done playing around. I’ll take your advice and go back to run the family business."

On the other end of the line, my mother sounded as happy as a child. "What about the girl our family arranged for you?"

I glanced at Avery and Bryan, who were kissing on stage, and said, “Sure, three days from now is a good day. Let’s set it for then.”

——

My mother was momentarily stunned by my response, but after countless rejections from me over the years, her surprise quickly turned to joy. She cheerfully hung up the phone and began bustling around to arrange my wedding.

As Avery walked down from the stage arm in arm with Bryan, I was looking at the wedding venue my mother had just sent me.

Avery snatched my phone and, after glancing at the content, immediately laughed. “Dennis, you’re really becoming more thoughtful. Now’s the perfect time to check venues. Otherwise, Bryan and I might not have everything ready for our wedding in three days.”

Bryan leaned in and gave Avery a kiss on the cheek. He patted me on the shoulder and said, “Brother, thank you for taking care of Avery all these years. I can see you’ve done a great job. From now on, it’s my responsibility.” With that, he took Avery’s hand and led her away to an interview.

I looked down at the phone Avery had just tossed into my hands, a bitter feeling rising in my chest.

As I was about to leave, a message from Avery popped up on the screen.

[Leave first and wait for me at the villa. Watch your expressions—don’t let something this small make you lose face in public. If the paparazzi catch anything, I won’t forgive you.]

Out of habit, I pulled a mirror from my bag, checked my expression, and forced myself to smile before quickly leaving the venue.

I circled the villa several times before finally daring to go inside. When the old clock in the living room struck twelve, Avery stumbled in, reeking of alcohol.

As soon as she saw me, she threw herself into my arms, whining, “Dennis, I’m so exhausted today. Can you make me some hangover soup? Love you.”

The overwhelming scent of men's cologne on her made me feel nauseous. I pushed her off me and said, “I’m a bit tired too. I don’t feel like moving.”

Hearing this, Avery shot up from the couch like a spring. She raised her hand and slapped me hard across the left cheek, then pointed at me and screamed, her voice cracking, “Dennis, what’s your problem? Didn’t I already message you and explain everything? I told you not to let something this minor make you lose face! What’s with your attitude now?”

I pulled up the message Avery had sent me hours ago and held it in front of her. “Avery, is this what you call an explanation...?”

Before I could finish, she slapped the phone out of my hand, her emotions flaring even more intensely.

“Dennis, wasn’t focusing on the career first something we decided together? Do I really need to explain how marketable the ‘perfect housewife’ image is right now? My marriage to Bryan is just for publicity, for the sake of my career! And you—being this petty—do you even count as a man? You’re disgusting!”

After saying her piece, Avery slammed the door and stormed out.

I got up and looked at my swollen left cheek in the mirror, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.

Eight years of love, and even a fake marriage for publicity couldn’t be mine. I raised my hand and slapped my right cheek hard, a blow to remind myself—never again to be such a spineless fool chasing after someone who didn’t care.

After washing up, I had barely lain down on the bed when I received a message from my mother:

[Denny, I was so happy today that I forgot to tell you something. Over the years, we’ve spent quite a lot supporting that little actress by your side. Next month, we were supposed to invest in a show for her. Now that you’re no longer involved, should the company still go ahead with it?]

I stared at the empty villa for a moment before replying: [Wait for my decision.]

With only a few days left, I didn’t want to create any more complications. After listening to my mother ramble on about wedding details, I drifted off into a deep sleep.

The next morning, before I was fully awake, I heard the sound of people moving things downstairs.

I got dressed and went down, only to see Avery holding Bryan’s hand as they entered.

Outside, a group of movers in company uniforms bustled about in the yard.

As soon as Avery saw me coming down the stairs, she frowned and hissed under her breath, “There are people here. What are you doing downstairs? Get back upstairs, now!”

Seeing the movers about to come into the house, I turned and walked a few steps back up the stairs, hiding myself out of sight.

***

Scenes like this had become routine over the years, but this villa was the place Avery and I had chosen for our private moments, so I had let my guard down.

Soon, the movers left, and Avery called up to me from downstairs, “Come out. I need to talk to you. From now on, Bryan and I will be living here.”

Her words left me stunned. Losing my balance, I tumbled down the stairs.

As I picked myself up, I looked at Avery’s calm expression and asked, “You and Bryan living here? The three of us staying together doesn’t seem very convenient...”

Avery glanced at my disheveled state and exchanged a look with Bryan before laughing. “What are you thinking? It’s just Bryan and me living here. You’re moving out.”

I pointed at myself, utterly incredulous, staring at Avery in disbelief. “Move out? Move where? And what does it even mean for you and Bryan to live here?” I asked, my voice sharp with disbelief.

Avery’s expression shifted to irritation as she replied, “Just rent an apartment or something, can’t you? What does it mean? It means we’re a couple, obviously! Next month, Grand Prosperity Group is investing in a film, and I’m going to be the lead actress. I need to promote my ‘devoted wife’ image. It’s urgent, so you’re moving out tonight!”

Without sparing me another glance, she turned to Bryan with a gentle smile. “Bryan, hurry up and move our things in. Once he’s gone, we’ll invite a few close media outlets over for a preview.”

As Bryan walked past me carrying a suitcase, he flashed a smug smile. “Brother, learn to be more sensible. Avery’s been supporting you for the past eight years. You should know when to read the room,” Bryan said, his tone dripping with condescension.

I turned to Avery with a questioning look, only to see her casually fiddling with her new watch as she chimed in,

“Bryan’s right. These years, whether it’s at home or outside, haven’t I been the one holding everything together? The sooner you wise up, the better. What are you still standing there for? Go pack your things already!”

I turned and headed upstairs. As soon as I got there, a message from Avery popped up on my phone:

[Just pack a few things—don’t bring too much, or it’ll attract attention. Be careful! If the reporters catch wind of this, you can forget about ever having a chance with me again!]

I opened the closet, ready to tell Avery she was overthinking things. Inside the six-meter-long wardrobe, there were only a few scattered pieces of my clothes hanging in the corner. After organizing them, Avery simply locked the bedroom door from the outside, knocking as a brief acknowledgment before leaving.

“Dennis, just stay in there until evening. The villa’s already been exposed, so to avoid being photographed at home, just bear with it,” she said, then left.

From downstairs, I could occasionally hear Avery and Bryan laughing and joking around. As it approached noon, Avery began to busy herself in the kitchen.

Before long, I heard Bryan’s voice. “Avery, there’s still someone upstairs. The food you’re making for the three of us might not be enough.”

Avery’s reply came back in her usual calm tone, “It’s fine. He’ll just have to deal with it for now.”

“No worries, I’ll just order some takeout for him later,” Bryan said with a chuckle.

“He’s got some superpower—won’t feel hungry even if he doesn’t eat all day.”

Bryan’s laughter grew louder.

“Really? I’d like to see that. Avery, I don’t have that special ability, so you can’t let me go hungry,” he teased.

After a moment of playful banter, Avery’s soft voice replied sweetly, “I know, I wouldn’t let my baby go hungry. Look, all these dishes today are your favorites....”

I leaned against the bedroom door, listening to the faint sounds of affection coming from downstairs.

It felt like someone had a tight grip on my chest, a dull ache spreading through me.

Back then, when Avery was just a tiny, unknown actress barely scraping by in the industry, I was by her side every day, running from one audition to the next, too busy to even sit down for a meal.

More importantly, I truly had no money in my pocket. At that time, I had fallen out with my family over Avery, so I’d often joke with her about having some superpower that meant I never got hungry. Avery cried many times because of that line, but now, it seems she just uses it as a weapon to mock me.

Now it doesn’t matter what kind of ‘image’ we were portraying—love was just gone...

I stayed in the upstairs room until the early hours, my stomach cramping from hunger. I started pounding on the door, worried something might happen to me. Avery eventually came upstairs and opened the door for me.

She saw me drenched in sweat, my brow furrowed with pain. “Dennis, did you not think to open a window in the room? You don’t like using cologne, but you sweat so much it’s really noticeable, you know?”

The memory of the overpowering scent of men’s cologne on Avery from the night before hit me like a wave, and I couldn’t stop myself from gagging. Avery flinched slightly, her face twisting in irritation.

Without missing a beat, she stepped back and headed downstairs, muttering under her breath, “Dennis, you’re insufferable. Just pack your things and go already. You’re nothing but a nuisance.”

As her footsteps faded, I heard her voice change, now light and teasing. “See, Bryan? I told you he’s got some kind of superpower—he’s still alive.”

Downstairs, Bryan was lounging on the couch with Avery practically draped over him, her head resting against his chest. He had one arm wrapped tightly around her while the other lazily reached for a slice of fruit. When he spotted me, he didn’t bother to stand. Instead, he tightened his hold on Avery and let out a chuckle.

“Superman brother,” he said with a mocking grin, “let’s leave it at that. Take care out there—and, oh, try not to get caught by the paparazzi.”

Avery snuggled closer into him, her voice syrupy as she said, “You’re the best, Bryan.”

He didn’t look at me again. His focus was back on the movie, his fingers idly brushing Avery’s arm as if I wasn’t even there.

I couldn’t stand another second in that house. I slipped on my shoes, yanked the door open, and left without a word.

Once outside, I leaned heavily against the closed door, exhaling a long, weary sigh.

The air felt fresher out here, but it didn’t stop the bitterness that lingered in my chest.