“Wendy!Have you really decided to return to Stellis?You won’t change your mind this time,will you?”

The surprise on the other end of the line practically overflowed.Wendy set down her cup,her voice soft but resolute.

“Yes,it’s decided.”

“Great!”Edmond cheered.“I told you,you’ve experienced life long enough.It’s time for you to come back!But…”

He paused subtly.“Wendy,are you and Michael–”

Wendy lowered her eyelashes,her fingertips unconsciously pinching her palm.She said calmly,“We’re getting a divorce.We’ll get the marriage certificate in two weeks.”

Edmond was stunned for two seconds,then snorted angrily.“It should have been a long time ago!Every time I see that nonsense online,I—”

“Okay,Edmond,”Wendy interrupted with a faint smile.“You have to wait for me for another two weeks.I’ll be back after I finish dealing with this.”

The call ended and silence returned to the room.Wendy opened her X app account and her eyes fell on the trending search with the word“trending topic”.

[Actor Michael and rising star Madison spotted together in the hospital!Their intimate behavior suggests they’re in love!]

This was her husband of three years and her first love.

Wendy closed her eyes as if stung,but the door clicked open.

The man’s dignified,upright figure carried the chill of the night,his face,emblazoned on countless screens,appearing even more profound and handsome in the dim light.

Seeing Wendy sitting in the living room,Michael was a little surprised.“Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

But when his eyes swept over her lit phone screen,his expression froze.

“Madison had severe period pain,so I took her to the hospital on the way.The paparazzi are just making up stories,don’t think too much of it.”

Wendy said calmly,“Yeah,I didn’t think too much of it.”

Michael breathed a sigh of relief,but then,seeing the half-empty cup of brown sugar water on the coffee table,his words caught in his throat again.

“Why didn’t you tell me today?”Michael frowned and reached out to touch her,but his phone suddenly rang.

Seeing who was calling,he paused for a moment before answering the call.

“Michael,can you please not clarify today’s trending topics?”Madison’s sweet voice rang out.“My new drama is about to air and I need the buzz.Please,please,this is the traffic from Actor Michael’s‘romance’...”

Michael looked at Wendy,who was looking out the window.

His Adam’s apple rolled slightly,but he finally compromised,“Okay.”

“I knew you’d agree.You are the best person in the world to me!”

Putting away his phone,he tried to explain,“Wendy,she and I…”

Wendy had already stood up and interrupted him,“It’s just acting,I understand.”

Seeing her so straightforward,Michael instinctively grabbed her arm.“Did you buy the things you said you wanted last time?”

“What?”

“Half a month ago,you asked me to sign,saying you had something to buy.”

Thinking of the divorce agreement,Wendy nodded,a bright smile playing on her lips.“Yes,I bought it.”

What she wanted most was leave and freedom.Michael chuckled.“That’s good.You can buy whatever you want.”

Looking at the face that had once captivated her,Wendy suddenly recalled seven years ago.

***

That was the first time she saw him in a commercial,a gentle young man running against the wind.Just for that fleeting glimpse,she gave up on returning to Stellis with her parents and focused on getting into his university.

For four years,although she barely saw Michael,she felt content just to have seen him so close.

Only on the eve of graduation,she unexpectedly ran into him in an alley,drunk and robbed,his arm injured.

By then,he was already an unattainable superstar.Fearing something had happened to him,she hurriedly asked her family to keep the news secret and stayed with him in the VIP ward all night.

After waking up,Michael’s eyes were red and puffy,but he froze the moment he saw her clearly.“You are…”

Wendy stared at him intently,her smile blooming.“I saved you.How are you going to thank me?”

Michael saw the familiar light in her eyes and asked,“Do you like me?”

Wendy nodded frankly.

After a long silence,he suddenly smiled.“Then I’ll marry you.”

The huge surprise stunned her.For three years after their marriage,she had been willing to be“invisible”for his career.

To be closer to him,she entered the entertainment industry,never complaining despite always playing vicious supporting roles and facing a flood of haters.

But not long ago,Bright Media Entertainment’s highly-praised newcomer,Madison,replaced Wendy’s second female lead in a new drama upon her return to Linkon,pushing her into a supporting role.

Bright Media Entertainment was also Michael’s agency.

She didn’t complain to him,but went to the Bright Media Entertainment alone.But as she went upstairs,passing the half-open office door of Michael’s agent,the conversation inside suddenly reached her ears.

“Three years ago,you were so distressed when Madison went abroad.Now she’s back.What are you going to do with Wendy,your stand-in?”

After a long silence,Michael’s voice cracked.“I haven’t decided yet.”

“What about the role of Wendy…”

He was silent for a few seconds.“Madison asked me.You know...I’ve never been able to refuse her.”

Outside the door,Wendy’s world suddenly went silent and left only the roar of her blood freezing.

A stand-in?

Just because she bore a passing resemblance to Madison?

So...these three years of marriage were just a ridiculous play.

Everything she clung to was but a reflection of someone else’s moon.

Wendy trembled as she opened the calendar,her gaze slowly settling on the filming wrap date a month later.

Since the drama had ended,she’d let these seven years of love and misplaced love ended.

On this day.It was all over!

Wendy was about to return to her bedroom when Michael suddenly called her.

Ever since she learned the truth,she’d moved to the guest room and cited poor sleep quality.

“Anything else?”

She paused,her long,soft hair flowing freely.Her face,always cast as a“femme fatale,”was breathtakingly beautiful under the bright lights.

Michael stared at her for a moment,then said gently,“Tomorrow’s the anniversary of Grandma’s death.I’ll go with you.”

Wendy’s eyes widened slightly,as if she hadn’t expected him to remember.

She had been raised by her grandmother since childhood and they had a deep bond.Even after marriage,he would accompany her,but this was the first time he’d mentioned it on his own initiative.

For three years,it was precisely because of these seemingly caring moments that she had foolishly believed Michael truly loved her.“I have a meeting this morning.I’ll pick you up after it’s over.”

“Okay.”Wendy didn’t hesitate,but when Michael leaned in for a kiss,she turned away.

“It’s too late.I’m going to bed.”She hastily closed the door.

***

The next morning,Wendy woke up and packed her things.It was almost ten o’clock.

Last night,they had agreed to leave at eleven,but as the clock ticked past eleven and twelve,her calls to Michael remained unanswered.

Looking at her chat history,which had become increasingly quiet since Madison returned,a familiar sense of desolation washed over her like a tide.

She gave a self-deprecating laugh and hailed a taxi to the cemetery.

The cemetery was shaded by green trees and she placed a bouquet of white lilies in front of the tombstone.

“Grandma,I’m going back to Stellis.I don’t know when I’ll see you next.You always said I deserved the best in the world and now I finally understand.”

The old woman in the photo smiled kindly,just like she always did when she was little,coaxing her to sleep.

“I fell in love with the wrong person,but I’m starting over.I’ll think of you and I’ll get better and better.Please bless me.”Wendy’s eyes were red as she whispered for a long time before reluctantly getting up.

As she stepped out of the cemetery,she saw Michael’s car parked outside.He hurried over,a look of regret on his sculpted face.“Sorry,my phone was muted and I didn’t notice the time.”

Wendy numbly wanted to say,“Nothing,”but the passenger door opened.Madison,dressed in a red dress,stood out from the solemn cemetery.

“Miss Presley,I’m so sorry,”Madison said,her smile meaningful.“I’ve been feeling unwell for the past couple of days and I had no appetite this morning,so Michael accompanied me to buy those butterfly cakes.The line’s long,would you like to try some?”

Wendy suddenly raised her eyes.

That place…just driving there and back took over three hours.

So,he’d broken his promise without a care in the world,just to please his beloved.

In the face of true love,he was willing to do even these little things.Wendy felt a sharp pain in her chest,clearly suffocating with pain,yet she forced herself to remain calm.“No need.”

She turned to leave,but Michael stopped her.“Madison said she’s been back for so long and she hasn’t even formally greeted you yet.She wants to treat you to a meal.”

Madison immediately responded,“Yes,Miss Presley.After all,a secret marriage is still a marriage.Michael and I grew up together and are the most important people to each other.It’s only right that I treat you.”

Wendy’s gaze swept over the two figures huddled together and after a long pause,she said,“Okay.”

In the private kitchen,secluded and quiet,Michael quickly named a few dishes.

“I love it.You remember it all,”Madison recalled sweetly.“When I was in school,I hated the cafeteria food,so Michael learned all these recipes just for me…”

“Madison,”Michael interrupted with a frown.Madison was stunned,then immediately lowered her head and said aggrievedly,“I’m sorry,I shouldn’t have said that in front of Miss Presley…”

Wendy shook her head.“It’s okay,I don’t mind.”

Michael,however,looked at her.

He and the female lead from another drama were always hyped as a couple and after Wendy finished reading the gossip,she would angrily hug him.“I’m clearly the real couple!”

But now,she seemed to care nothing.

Throughout the meal,Madison kept talking about their past.Michael responded,while Wendy remained silent.

As Michael went to answer the phone,Madison suddenly asked,“Aren’t you curious about why we broke up?”

Her tone was one of condescending pity.Wendy raised her eyes.“Why?”

“Because the better the man,the more he yearns for what he can’t have.”Madison said confidently,“It’s important to be sensible.It’s not nice to feel like both the role and the lover belong to someone else,isn’t it?”

Wendy watched her quietly and suddenly found it amusing.She put down her teacup.“I understand.”

She would leave him,too,but she no longer needed his constant lingering thoughts.

After dropping Wendy off downstairs,Michael didn’t get out of the car,but instead squeezed her hand through the window.

His palm was warm,but that warmth had never truly belonged to her.

“Madison and I have to shoot an endorsement shoot later,so we won’t be back.Go to bed early.”

Madison leaned out from the passenger seat and smiled sweetly.“Don’t worry,Miss Presley.I’ll help you keep an eye on Michael and keep girls away from him!”

Wendy lowered her eyes.“Okay.”

Upstairs,the large apartment was filled with a vibrant atmosphere.It was the home she had meticulously decorated over the past three years.

Wendy took a deep breath and stuffed all the Michael merchandise,magazines and unused couple’s items she had collected over the years into a trash bag.

She opened the drawer and revealed two cold wedding rings.Wendy remembered that Michael had never worn them except on the day they got their marriage certificate.

Because they hadn’t had a wedding,she excitedly wanted to take a hand-in-hand photo with the rings on,but Michael flatly refused,“We’re having a secret marriage,so let’s keep it low-key.”

But for Madison,he filmed commercials,gave away resources and let his name trend all over the internet—never a low-key act.

Wendy’s nose ached and she closed her eyes.The ring tinkled softly as it fell into her pocket.

When Michael returned the next day,he immediately noticed how much emptier the house had become.Even the couple dolls Wendy had specially custom-made by someone at the entrance were gone.

“Why are so many things missing from the house?”Michael asked gravely,her recent behavior making him inexplicably uneasy.

Wendy just emerged from the bedroom and clutched a photo she’d forgotten to throw away the night before.

She said calmly,“The old stuff was taking up space,so I got rid of it.”

Michael wanted to say something,but upon seeing her hands,his doubts suddenly dissipated.

She loved him so much that she even treasured this one photo together...

He relaxed instantly.“We’d like to invite you to be a guest on Madison’s show next episode.”

It was a national lifestyle variety show and it was precisely because Michael arranged for her to be a regular that she had quickly amassed so much popularity.

Wendy was stunned and refused,“I don’t want to go.”

“Why?”Michael frowned.“You’re not well-known and Madison is kind enough to help you.You should appreciate it.”

Looking at his handsome yet displeased face,Wendy’s fingertips felt cold.His decision reflected only Madison’s“good intentions,”not her own.

Thinking that there were only a dozen days left,she didn’t want to argue with him about this matter anymore,so she finally agreed.

In the countryside on Saturday,the wind was clear and the clouds were vast.The fragrance of green grass wafted in the air.

The live broadcast camera had already been turned on and by the time Wendy got out of the car with her simple luggage,the barrage of comments was already rapidly scrolling.

[Why is Wendy here this episode?I’m so annoyed just seeing her!]

[She’s here to ride on Madison’s popularity again!]

The regular seniors greeted her politely.Madison,wearing a white dress and a plain face,came over and warmly took her arm.

“Wendy!You’re finally here!Fans always say we look alike,but we’ve been on the same set and rarely see each other.Now we can finally be together!”

Wendy curled her lips,but her eyes were cold.“After all,I’m just a supporting actress.I can’t compare to you,Miss Crawford.”

Madison’s face froze for a moment before she smiled again.

The show had a pastoral atmosphere and Wendy skillfully helped make dinner.

Acting Queen Bridget took a bite and praised,“Wendy’s cooking is quite good.”

“Wendy is amazing!Unlike me,my family takes care of me so well that I can only cook instant noodles.”Madison pouted and complained and was immediately praised by the commenters,“That’s what a princess should be like.”

Wendy smiled.Before she started learning cooking specifically for Michael,she’d been a princess too.

After dinner,everyone gathered around to chat and play Truth or Dare.A Coke bottle spun on the table,finally slowly pointing towards Madison.

“Madison won!”

Singer Joan laughed and cheered,“The punishment is...I’ll pin your WhatsApp and call you!On speakerphone!”

The room erupted in excitement.The camera zoomed in and Madison’s cheeks flushed as she shyly unlocked her phone.

On the pinned bar,only“Michael”was prominently displayed.

“Wow,Mr.Greenwood!I knew you two had a close relationship!”

“Madison,call quickly!”

The room erupted in exclamations and a barrage of“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.”

The call was quickly connected and Michael said with a smile,“Hello,Madison?”

“Oh my god,that’s so sweet!”

“Actor Michael’s voice is so gentle!”

The two chatted tenderly for a long time amidst countless comments of“I’m hooked”before hanging up.

Wendy sat in a corner,the bustle around her like a layer of fog,only the chill in her heart spreading.

She was distracted playing the game for an unknown amount of time when she felt a sudden tap on her shoulder.She came to her senses and realized the bottle was facing her.

“Wendy,it’s your turn!”Joan said excitedly.“Quick,get your phone out and call your pinned friend!”

Wendy’s mind went blank.As several people scrambled to open her phone,she suddenly realized that her pinned friend was also Michael!