I Secretly Married an A-List Young Actor

: Going Public

3

Ronan Thorne had always wanted to go public with our relationship. Whenever he brought it up, Cole Young would come to me.

He'd try to persuade me with both logic and emotional appeals, bringing up Ronan Thorne's career and the potential impact on my life.

Unlike Ronan Thorne, I couldn't just throw caution to the wind. I was usually the one who ended up talking him down.

This time, Cole Young once again turned to me. "Chloe, what are your thoughts?"

I knew what Cole Young was getting at. He was hoping to use me to talk Ronan Thorne out of it.

But this time, I didn't want to change his mind.

We'd been secretly married for three years; we couldn't keep living in the shadows forever.

"If we go public, will it affect your work that much?"

Hearing me starting to give in, Ronan Thorne's eyes immediately lit up. "It won't, Chloe. I've built up a large fanbase over the years, and I've earned some recognition in the industry. Even if we go public, my work won't be affected that much."

Cole Young, standing nearby, grew anxious. "Chloe, don't listen to him. There's bound to be some impact, one way or another."

"I don't care."

Ronan Thorne immediately shot back, "I don't care about the fame that comes from that kind of persona. Chloe, do you believe that I can earn recognition on my own merit?"

I did believe in Ronan Thorne, but over the years, I'd heard plenty of stories about the entertainment industry from both him and Cole Young.

Earning recognition on talent alone was no easy feat.

"You can go public if you want, but you have to do one thing first."

Seeing that my resolve to keep our marriage a secret was wavering, Cole Young came up with another plan.

Ronan Thorne turned to him. "What is it?"

The "one thing" Cole Young mentioned was for Ronan to participate in a reality competition show for actors. He wanted Ronan to truly earn recognition for his acting.

"Fine, I'll do it." Ronan Thorne agreed without a second thought.

It wouldn't be easy for Ronan Thorne, who started as an idol, to win acclaim for his acting, but he wasn't afraid of the scrutiny.

'For me.'

I took his hand, deeply moved. "I'll always support you."

The show Cole Young had found required the contestants to live in a dormitory. I helped Ronan Thorne pack his bags and saw him to the door.

"When I get back, we can finally go public."

I nodded. No matter what happened, I would always believe in him.

After Ronan Thorne left, I went back to work.

"Wow, can you believe Ronan Thorne is going on that show, *I Am an Actor*?"

I had just gotten to the classroom when I heard Dottie chatting with the teacher's aide. "Morning," I said.

"Ms. Sterling!" Dottie spotted me and hurried over. "Are you a fan of Ronan Thorne?"

Feigning composure, I put my bag on the desk. "Of course."

"If you like Ronan Thorne, then we're destined to be good friends!"

'I'm not one for gossip, but here was yet another Ronan Thorne fan right in front of me.'

"I can't believe he's actually going on that show. The haters are going to come out in full force. I have to be ready to defend him online." Dottie looked like she was preparing for war.

I turned on my computer and started working.

'I hope Ronan Thorne can win them over with his talent,' I thought.

「A week later.」

The first episode of the show aired, and I tuned in on my computer.

Sure enough, just as Dottie had predicted, the moment Ronan Thorne appeared on screen, the live comments were flooded with hate.

*When did the bar for being an actor get so low?*

*Starring in a few dramas makes you an actor now?*

*Seriously, does he have anything besides a pretty face? Any actual talent?*

The comments were so nasty I couldn't ignore them. I couldn't stop myself from posting a reply to fire back.

However, the criticism didn't last long. After his scene aired, the comments were filled with voices of support.

Just as Ronan Thorne had said, he was winning them over with his talent.

By the time the tenth episode of the show aired, Ronan Thorne was back.

And he brought something back with him: an acting contract.

I took the contract and flipped it open. "Is this for a role?"

"Mhm." Ronan Thorne wrapped his arms around me. "I told you I could earn their respect on my own. Chloe, we can go public now."