Love's Lost Ember, Fading in the Cold

In the seven years of marriage to Wilson, he never allowed me to mention our relationship in public.

Even when attending various banquets, Celeste was always by his side. I was nothing more than a woman under the title of his wife.

For seven years, apart from living in the same house, we were no better than strangers.

But I didn't blame him, because I was the one who betrayed him first.

We were each other's first love, and I pursued Wilson first during college.

It was a cliched story. I got his favor and we became a couple, but my father disapproved of me being with a poor guy.

I had a falling out with my family over Wilson, believing that love could conquer all.

Until my father's threats and Wilson's decision to give up his chance to study abroad...

I knew we were about to part ways.

I thought of myself as the tragic heroine in a drama, hiding my troubles and humiliating Wilson with my self-righteousness.

I let him leave and went abroad with hatred.

Years later, while my family had fallen into obscurity, Wilson had risen to prominence.

When Wilson, now incredibly wealthy, appeared before me, my first thought was not joy but fear. I feared he might still hate me.

Yet Wilson proposed to me. While I hesitated, my father impatiently agreed.

At that moment, I even wondered if Wilson knew all the hidden truths from our past. We went to the Family Court to get married, and I smiled brightly.

"The groom shouldn't look so stern." Wilson only managed to get through the process after the photographer's reminder.

After getting married, Wilson took me to the villa. "Mrs. Burch, you will live here from now on."

"And you?"

He looked at me with a fierce gaze, pressing me against the wall. "Cierra Rowland, do you really think I would fall in love again with a woman who humiliated me?"

At that moment, a chill overwhelmed me, and I couldn't bear to meet his eyes.

As he had said, in the seven years of marriage, he seldom came home, and even when he did, he never stepped into my room.

Then rumors of his affair with Celeste Mack surfaced. Later, every new drama I was cast in had Celeste as the lead, leaving me with only supporting roles.