After being secretly married to my movie star husband for three years, I was organizing his script at home when the doorbell rang.

"Ms. Arden, this is a same-day delivery ordered by Mr. Mercer."

A sweet feeling welled up in my heart. Although Evan had been so busy lately that he barely had time to rest, he still found the time to buy something for me.

I had just mentioned that I felt a bit bored being home alone and Evan always liked to make up for it with little surprises.

I opened the bag and was stunned.

It wasn’t the gift I had expected. It was a piece of lingerie trimmed with lace, carrying an overwhelmingly sweet perfume scent.

I threw the bag aside, feeling like it was burning my hands.

The phone rang.

"Hello, this is the Cartier boutique. The Starry Moon necklace that Mr. Mercer ordered has arrived. Should we deliver it to your home, or will you be picking it up herself, Miss Lila Camden? With your birthday approaching, Mr. Mercer specifically asked us to make sure everything is perfect."

——

Absurd! When did I become Miss Lila Camden?

In a pinned chat at the top of WhatsApp, Evan’s profile picture sat there quietly.

Scrolling up, I saw the check-in video he had just sent me this morning.

[Honey, the signal is unstable and it was so hard to find a high spot just to check in and let you know I’m safe.]

[I’ve missed you so much. The mosquitoes in the mountains are so many and so vicious—they’ve bitten me all over. I wish you were here.]

[This time the paparazzi are watching closely, so you can't come to visit on set. Just wait until I get home—I’ll make it up to you properly and take you travel around the world.]

The video wasn’t long, just a few minutes. Just as he finished saying "travel around the world," and the camera was shaking, about to end, I instinctively turned the phone volume all the way up.

A very faint female voice came through. “Evan, you haven’t finished filming yet? I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

The phone screen went dark for a moment, reflecting my face as pale as paper.

My mind buzzed, echoing with Evan’s past tender affection.

“Valerie, in this life, I’m completely yours—I wouldn’t even glance at anyone else.”

“Honey, once I win another award and get stable, we’ll go public!”

Instinctively, I dialed Evan’s number. The phone rang several times before it was answered.

“Why are you calling at this time? Missing me?”

The person on the other end spoke with heavy breathing. That voice sounded exactly like the tender, affectionate man from the video this morning.

“Evan.” I heard my own voice, harsh and dry. "How are things over there? Are you tired?"

“Not bad, just tough conditions. I just finished a scene, so I'm a bit out of breath.” His tone was relaxed, even a little proud. “Don’t worry, for you, no matter how hard or tiring it is, I can handle it.”

“Evan.”

“Hmm?”

I tried to keep my voice calm. “Do you still love me?”

His tone was full of guilt. “Honey, I know you’ve been bored staying home alone. I’m sorry, this time I had to put up with it for the sake of avoiding suspicion. Once this period is over, I’ll definitely spend quality time with you, okay?”

But I clearly heard a faint voice whispering by his ear. Every word about “enduring hardship to avoid suspicion” now sounded like the cruelest lie to me.

I listened to his voice while crying and laughing at the same time, then couldn’t help but hang up.

I turned and dialed my sister’s number. “You’ve been a fan assistant for so many years, help me take some photos, okay?”

My tears broke loose. “Evan has cheated.”

My sister asked for the address of his film crew and his approximate whereabouts, then hung up.

I agonized all day long.

At dusk, my phone vibrated twice at the same time. One was a WhatsApp video call invitation from Evan. The other was a link to an encrypted photo album sent by my sister, with a line attached: “Valerie, brace yourself.”

I took a deep breath and opened Evan’s video first. “Honey?”

His eyes focused intently on the camera. “I have just finished work, completely exhausted. It’s gotten colder in the mountains, so cold. I especially miss you warming my bed.”

“Today’s filming went pretty smoothly. How about you? Are you bored at home? Make sure to eat well, okay?”

His care was still meticulous and his sweet words came effortlessly.

Looking at the face I had loved for so many years, hearing his gentle rambling, waves of nausea surged in my stomach.

I forced out a few words and then hung up the video call as if escaping. My fingers trembled violently as I opened the encrypted album my sister sent.

In several photos, Evan and Lila walked side by side, standing very close. Lila’s hand rested on Evan’s lower back.

Evan opened the door and Lila followed closely behind him inside.

The door closed.

I searched for Lila frantically on a certain social media platform, scrolling through post after post and the more I looked, the colder my heart felt.

She posted many behind-the-scenes moments from the crew, seemingly just sharing work, but between the lines were all kinds of flirtations and hints.

“Today I learned a lot acting opposite the senior, he’s really so professional and charming.”

The accompanying photo was a blurry close-up of a man’s hand holding the script. The watch on that wrist was the one I gave Evan for his birthday last year.

“The stars in the mountains are so beautiful, just as dazzling as someone.”

“Being cared for feels so good! Someone’s warming pads came just in time!”

I froze suddenly, staring hard at the post date.

That day!

I had a high fever of 40 degrees Celsius, feeling dizzy and weak. Struggling to get some water, my vision went black and I collapsed onto the floor.

It was the neighbor lady who came to borrow something and found me, then called an ambulance.

I was hooked up to an IV at the hospital until midnight. My phone was completely silent—Evan only sent one WhatsApp message that afternoon.

[Honey, I'm filming a late-night scene today, so I might not be able to reach you. Don't worry.]

I put on a mask, hat and sunglasses, bundling myself up tightly like a paparazzo, then drove through the night toward the film studio area.

Evan and Lila were shooting a scene together. As soon as the director called "cut," Evan hadn’t fully wiped the tender expression from his face and naturally walked over to Lila waiting nearby.

Lila immediately brightened with a radiant smile and handed him the water cup. Evan took it and drank smoothly. Meanwhile, Lila stood on tiptoe, holding a tissue and affectionately wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Fans nearby let out low screams and whispers.

“Wow! They’re such a perfect match!”

“Look at how the best actor Evan looks at Lila! I’m shipping them, totally shipping them!”

“Are they this sweet in private too? Feels like a real couple!”

I, like a fool, was trapped at home by Evan’s sweet words, thinking he was working hard for our future together. Little did I know, in the moments between his efforts, he was living out passionate, loving couple moments with someone else.

The sunlight was blinding, but I felt no warmth at all. Behind my sunglasses, tears silently surged out and my fingers uncontrollably frantically called his video again.

The call was hung up.

Lila took his phone and pressed the power button to turn it off. “Evan, since you’re already on set, just focus on spending time with me.”

Evan didn’t object, showing a slight indulgent smile. “Whatever you say goes.”

“Evan, while the media hasn’t dug this up yet, hurry up and get a divorce—better a short pain than a long one.”

Her voice was both sweet and urgent, carrying a hint of seduction.

“You promised me, once this show airs and you win the award, we’ll go public and still enjoy the benefits of the show’s couple hype.”

Evan remained silent, the lines of his profile tight and tense. Seeing his silence, Lila grew more anxious, her voice trembling with tears.

“Have you forgotten what you told me last night? You said you’ve long lost feelings for her—that being together is just a responsibility, like your left hand touching your right hand, completely meaningless! You said she stays at home every day, lifeless like a boring nanny, unlike me, who can make you happy.”

I bit my lower lip hard, tasting an even stronger metallic bitterness, holding myself back from storming out to tear apart that venomous mouth spewing lies.

Evan seemed to reach out, pulling Lila close by the shoulder and in a soothing tone said softly, “When have I ever broken a promise to you? I’ll take care of it as soon as we get back—cut the knot with a quick stroke.”

Only then did Lila wipe her tears and smile, nestling into his arms. “I knew you cared for me the most! Evan, we will definitely be very happy!” She stood on tiptoe and quickly kissed his cheek.

My mind went blank, all the blood rushed to my head and then froze into ice the next second.

Those cruel words stabbed sharply into my ears. So in his eyes, my years of devotion were just that of a boring nanny?

Evan’s body stiffened for a moment, instinctively glanced around, but in the end didn’t push her away—only whispered urging, “Alright, hurry up and get ready for the next scene.”

That night, before I could recover from that harsh conversation, Lila posted again.

“Today was another day of being coached by the senior on my acting! Gained so much! Someone said I have talent! Keep it up, Lila!”

The accompanying photo was a blurry close-up of a man’s hand holding a script, with studio lights in the background.

I’d recognize that hand as Evan’s even if it turned to ashes!

She was secretly throwing out sugar again, guiding fans to ship the couple, cementing her image as the one favored by the Best Actor.

Fine, you like playing on social media, huh?

I logged into my private Instagram account. From the many photos I secretly took during the day, I selected the one most suggestive yet without direct evidence.

In the photo, Evan’s distinctive back was slightly bowed as he looked at his phone.

The caption was just a simple sentence: “First time here as family. Such a unique atmosphere.”

Sent.

But within half an hour, Evan’s video call came through.

“Honey, why did you go to the film set over there? That place is so bad—messy, full of mosquitoes. You’re already delicate; what if you get bitten or hurt? I’d be heartbroken!”

Heartbroken?

During the day, Lila wiped his sweat and handed him water—he enjoyed it so much. Why didn’t I see him worry about Lila struggling on set?

He forced a smile.

“Feeling bored at home? Missing me? It’s my fault, all my fault! I’ve been too busy lately and neglected you. When I get back, I’ll definitely spend good time with you. Wherever you want to go, it’s fine! Buy bags! Buy clothes! Whatever you want!”

Hearing these once heart-melting sweet words now pierced my heart like a blade. Every word about neglect was a betrayal I witnessed with my own eyes and ears during the day.

“Honey? Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you feeling unwell?”

“Nothing, I just suddenly wanted to see where you work. Is that not okay?”

“Of course it is! Absolutely!” He immediately jumped in, “Honey, you can go wherever she wants!”