Chapter 7

After dinner, while Zachary went to cut some fruit, I turned on the TV.

Soon after, he came out carrying a fruit platter, looking somewhat guilty.

"Honey, Director Liu just called—"

A sweet female voice came from the TV.

Almost at the same moment, Zachary turned his head.

Mia's face appeared on the screen.

"What's wrong?"

He seemed mesmerized, not moving for a long time until I spoke up.

"I know this actress."

He sat down next to me, casually slipping his phone into his pocket.

"She was my junior in middle school. I didn't expect her to become an actress later. Last year when she saw news about me, she even reached out asking for help."

"What kind of help?"

"Networking. She didn't have any background and was struggling in the industry."

He handed me a piece of peach.

"Don't worry, I didn't agree. I know that Dad put in a lot of effort to get me to this position. I won't let him down."

"I didn't tell you because I was too busy at the time, and we only chatted briefly. I didn't think much of it at all. I'm sorry, honey."

His tone was natural and open as he explained his relationship with Mia.

In contrast, I was the one hiding and probing, like a petty person who couldn't be brought into the light.

"Lena."

He suddenly called my name.

"I finally managed to marry you. Everything I have today is hard-earned. I cherish it very much."

He hugged me, his heart pressed close to my cheek. I smelled the familiar clean scent again, which was reassuring.

That night, while Zachary was in the shower, I sat on the bed scrolling through my phone.

A few years ago, I had registered an account on a social media platform where I occasionally posted about my daily life as an antique restorer, as well as some of my paintings.

I had gradually accumulated tens of thousands of followers, and every time I opened the app, there were quite a few private messages.

About an hour ago, one of my longtime followers had sent me a message.

[Lena, I'm so upset. I'm sick, but my boyfriend stood me up to go be with another woman.]

I suddenly turned my head to look at Zachary's phone charging on the nightstand.