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.

It felt like someone who’d been suffocating for so long had finally found a breath of fresh air, pure and exhilarating. I headed to the garage, finding a car I hadn’t driven in a while, and drove around the villa a few times before leaving.

After much thought, I decided to drive to the old courtyard in the southern part of the city.

The courtyard was bought by the family over a decade ago. Now that I had decided to leave Avery, there was no reason to cut ties with my family over her.

For all these years, I’d kept Avery in the dark about the family investments and the state of things at home. At first, it felt unnecessary, but later on, I just didn’t want her to think everything she had was because of me.

Now, it was a relief to be free of that. As soon as I parked the car, an alert popped up on my phone about a vehicle notification.

I opened the vehicle app to a scene I’d never forget. In my frequently driven car, Bryan was violently tearing at Avery’s clothes, her face a mix of reluctant shyness. The disturbing sounds pouring from my phone made me nauseous.

Already hungry from not eating all day, I opened the car door and vomited loudly. My hands shook as I tried to shut off the phone, but it wouldn’t turn off. Finally, I picked up the phone and smashed it against the ground, the disgusting sounds fading away.

I had always thought their relationship at most was just flirtatious, but now it was clear—these two had already crossed the line. No wonder Avery had been avoiding me for the past while.

I crumpled to the floor, my legs giving out. My body started uncontrollably shaking, relieved that these days were almost over...

The next morning, I opened my phone to see Avery trending online.

[Rising star Avery and fiancé Bryan check out wedding venues, couple look absolutely adorable together.]

The accompanying photo showed Avery with a shy smile, clinging to Bryan’s arm. Below the trending topic, the comments were overwhelmingly positive:

“Didn’t expect Avery to be this type of cute little wife—love her even more now...”

“Yeah, she’s got a new movie coming out soon, and she’s the lead! What a big move to announce her wedding at this time!”

“Tomorrow’s the big day, hope our little Avery forever finds happiness!”

Shortly after, a message from Avery popped up on my phone.

[Dennis, don’t forget to come to the wedding venue that day. The host has you scheduled to give a speech about our love story with Bryan. The script is in your email; make sure you’re well-prepared—don’t mess this up!!]

Shortly after, I received Avery’s prepared script in my email. Opening it, I was shocked to find that the past eight years with Avery had all been neatly rewritten with Bryan. It was almost impressive how she could remember all the details. But I didn’t have the energy to read any further, nor to reply. I just tossed my phone aside and started packing.

I booked a flight to Ordos for the earliest possible flight tomorrow.

After years of hustling with Avery every day, suddenly being on my own felt liberating.

In the courtyard, I spent the day tinkering with flowers and plants. Avery was probably preoccupied with wedding preparations, so she didn’t send any more messages all day.

I went to bed early and got up before dawn the next morning to get ready for the airport. As soon as I arrived at the airport, Avery’s incessant messages started popping up.

[Dennis, don’t be late today! Or else you know what’s coming—no talking to you for the entire year!]

Half an hour later, I received another message from Avery: [Where are you? Did you die??]

Afterward, came a barrage of phone calls.

Avery has always been like this—only frantically reaching out when she needs me. There was a time when I found being needed by her to be a kind of happiness. Now, it’s just annoying. So, I simply turned off my phone.

A few hours later, Avery’s wedding was about to begin. She was pacing back and forth at the venue, constantly dialing my number.

A media reporter close to Avery reminded her that time was running out.

Avery lost her patience and snapped, “Has anyone seen my manager, Dennis? Why isn’t he here yet?”

The reporter in front of her froze, staring at Avery in shock.

“Avery, you mean you don’t know? My colleague just told me—your manager is actually a secret big shot. He’s the heir of Grand Prosperity Group, the company funding your next film!”

“And get this—he’s getting married today too!” As the reporter muttering to himself, he pulled up a photo on his phone and handed it to Avery. “Look, these are the fresh wedding photos from the scene!”