I'm preparing to divorce my superstar husband.

After joining a reality show, I found my lost daughter.

The next day, my superstar husband knocked on the door, saying, "Open up, I'm your father!"

1

The call came from the reality show's director, asking me to play the role of a little girl's mother.

I didn't really want to participate in any show.

But my agent, Emily Smith, told me that I'm no longer as popular as I used to be.

If I want to make a comeback, I need to start appearing on screen again.

I want a divorce. I want to live for myself again, so I want to make a comeback.

I arrived at the show's filming location by car.

In the apartment prepared for the show, my assistant led a little girl, about four years old, in front of me.

The assistant said to me, "Gloria, this little girl's name is Maggie Green, but everyone calls her Pomelo. She will be playing the role of your daughter for the next three months."

I looked at the fair-skinned, beautiful little girl in front of me. Her big, bright eyes, like grapes, looked at me with a hint of fear.

I nodded slightly, "Okay, I got it."

After the assistant left, the little girl became even more timid.

I'm not good with children, so I told her, "If you want to eat something, help yourself."

Seeing that I spoke to her first, Pomelo became a bit braver, and in a soft, sweet voice, asked me, "Should I start calling you 'Mom' now?"

Hearing her question, I froze slightly, instinctively recalling what happened back then.

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside me. "Yes."

Pomelo then asked, "Mom, where's Dad?"

I replied indifferently, "There is no Dad."

This reality show was meant to feature families, but I never told Martin White about it.

In the other three families, all had a father figure.

The little girl sat on the couch with her head down, saying nothing.

2

The reality show I'm participating in is a live broadcast, with no editing, so what the audience sees is entirely real.

I didn't want the audience to think I was neglecting the child or to stir up any rumors about our relationship.

I handed a bottle of milk to Pomelo, "Would you like some milk?"

Pomelo nodded, her small hands taking the bottle, "Yes, I would."

Watching her hold the bottle with her chubby little hands, drinking milk so adorably, I felt a slight tug at my heartstrings, as if a feather had brushed against it.

"Today is our first day of filming. Let's get to know each other. My name is Gloria Smith. We'll be living together for the next three months, and I'll be playing the role of your mom."

"Although you don't have a dad in this show, I'll do my best to play the role of your mom."

I introduced myself to the little one.

Pomelo blinked her eyes and said in her sweet, soft voice, "Mom, you're so pretty."

I usually don't smile, but today, Pomelo made me smile. I gently patted her head, "After you finish, wash up and go to bed. We need to meet the other moms, dads, and babies tomorrow."

Pomelo obediently nodded, "Okay, Mom."

I patted her head, then took her to wash up. I didn't help her at all. The little one did everything by herself.

I never really took care of children, nor do I know how to.

Having lost my own child, I've always been indifferent to other children, perhaps because of my illness.

Finally, I took her to the children's room.

After returning to my own room, my assistant called, asking me to check online.

When I did, I saw nothing but harsh comments from netizens.

3

[Why is Gloria so cold? Even if the little girl isn't her real daughter, she shouldn't let her wash her face and brush her teeth alone. She's only four.]

[Exactly! My daughter is five, and I personally take care of everything for her. I wouldn't let my daughter participate in such a show.]

[Compared to the other three families, Gloria is really cold.]

[An out-of-date actress, she still thinks she's a top star. What a diva.]

[You don't understand. Gloria and Pomelo just met, and it's her first time on a reality show. Of course, she doesn't know how to interact yet.]

[Oh, someone's defending their idol now...]

[...]

These comments didn't bother me.

I'm no longer the Gloria I used to be.

I closed my phone and fell asleep.

4

On the first official day of filming, the families were supposed to get to know each other.

The other three families came to my apartment to visit.

After some polite conversation, the children went from being strangers to familiar playmates, eventually sitting on the carpet together, playing games.

The first family's Cindy asked me, "Gloria, why didn't Martin come?"

I casually made up an excuse, "He's filming and couldn't find the time."

The third family's Linda asked, "Will Martin come visit our show later?"

I responded indifferently, without any pretense, "No."

Linda noticed my lack of expression and forced a laugh, not pursuing the topic further.

But others continued to ask about my marriage with Martin.

Not just them, but the show's crew and netizens also wanted to know about our marital status.

There were times when reporters asked Martin about our relationship, but he never publicly discussed our marriage.

Now that I'm participating in this reality show, I've become their target for questions.

"Gloria, I remember you and Martin were very active on screen together back then. It seemed like after you got married, you gradually faded from the public eye. Did you want to be a full-time housewife?"

I felt a bit impatient and was about to decline the question when the four children playing together started to argue.

"Wow--"

A little girl burst into tears.

Linda and her husband quickly comforted the girl, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

The girl pointed at a little boy playing with a Barbie doll on the floor, "Leo bullied me. He took all my toys and won't let me play with them."

I looked over at the little boy.

I noticed that he not only ignored the crying girl but deliberately broke the Barbie doll's leg.

I frowned slightly.

If I'm not mistaken, this little boy is the son of the chairman of the investment company backing this show.

Clearly, the Linda couple didn't dare offend the boy and comforted their daughter, "Alright, alright, don't cry. Daddy will buy you another one later."

Similarly, the couple playing the boy's parents also didn't dare to scold him and tried to console the girl, "How about we buy two new ones? This one is broken. We don't need it anymore."

The girl wiped her tears, "No, I want this one. He took it from me."

Since this happened in my apartment, it was my responsibility to handle it.

I came to Pomelo and asked her, "Pomelo, is what Sister Rita said true?"

Pomelo nodded, "Mom, Sister is right. This boy took my toys too."

I took the broken-legged Barbie doll from the boy's hand, "Leo, these toys were shared by Pomelo. You should be thankful to her."

"Whatever I take is mine."

The boy tried to snatch it back, but I moved it out of his reach.

I opened the door to the apartment and said to the boy, "If you're going to be so domineering, nobody will like you. A child who no one likes has no friends and I'm going to ask you and your parents to leave now."

Anna and her husband were stunned, then quickly tried to soothe the boy, "Sweetheart, apologize to Sister Joy and Auntie, or we won't be welcome here anymore."

The boy shook off Anna's hand and angrily looked at me, "I won't apologize. You're bullying me. I'm going to tell my dad and make you all leave."

I curled my lips and smiled, "Okay."

Anna and her husband realized they couldn't stay any longer and left with the boy.

5

In the afternoon, my assistant called me, "Gloria, I'm sorry. I forgot to brief you about the other families. That naughty boy you scolded this morning is the son of our investor, who got the son at his old age, and they treasure him dearly."

"The director is on edge, preparing to apologize to the investor. He asked me to remind you to be more careful next time."

I replied casually, "I knew he was the investor's son."

My assistant was puzzled, "Then why did you..."

I chuckled and asked, "When have you ever seen me put up with anyone?"

Assistant was speechless.

I thought about the item I asked my assistant to give to Martin yesterday and inquired, "Did you hand over what I asked you to give to that man?"

Assistant replied, "Yes, I gave it to him personally."

I said, "Good, thanks."

As I was talking on the phone, the doorbell rang. Pomelo ran over, stood on a small stool, and looked through the peephole.

"Who are you?"

The person outside was silent for a moment before replying, "Martin."

Pomelo answered in her soft voice, "Oh, wait a moment. I'll ask Mom who Martin is."

The person outside replied, "No need. I'm your dad."

Pomelo thought for a moment, then said, "But I still need to tell Mom."

The person outside was speechless.

Pomelo ran back to me, "Mom, Dad is here."

I was initially confused, glancing at the door, "Dad?"

Pomelo nodded seriously, "He said his name is Martin."

My expression turned cold, "Tell him I'm not here."

Seeing my displeased expression, Pomelo ran back to the door, "Dad, Mom said she's not here. You should come back tomorrow."

Martin was speechless.

6

Martin called me, but I didn't answer. I was trying to make steamed egg custard for Pomelo.

The phone kept ringing.

I glanced at the camera in the room. It seemed to be off.

So, I had to open the door.

Martin saw me wearing an apron, his eyes flickering with some emotion.

I had never cooked at home in the past five years, let alone made a meal for Martin.

He was dressed in a suit, holding a document in his hand.

I could tell it was the item I asked my assistant to give him.

Inside was a diamond ring.

He walked in, glanced at Pomelo, and then focused on me, "What made you decide to join a reality show?"

I retorted sarcastically, "Did you really think you could keep me like a bird in a gilded cage?"

Without waiting for his response, I took Pomelo's hand and led her into the kitchen.

Martin took out the wedding ring from the document.

Opening the box, he took out the ring.

Grabbing my wrist, he forcibly slid the ring back onto my finger.