The Actor's Failed Act

Clement didn't get home until the early hours.

My stomach hurt too much for me to sleep. I had to get up and take a painkiller.

"Here, I brought you a late-night snack," Clement said, tossing a few half-eaten boxes of spicy wings on the table.

He kept his attention on the contract sitting nearby. He didn't even notice how pale I looked or the sweat beading on my forehead.

I chucked the spicy wings into the trash.

Clement knew about my stomach condition, but he never bothered to care.

"What's your problem? I brought you something nice, and this is how you act? All you did for me was drink a few, wasn't it?" he snapped.

"I've got a stomach issue. I can't handle spicy food."

Clement stiffened, looking awkward. After a moment, he stepped closer and took my hand, worry in his eyes.

"I forgot about it. You're not going to blame me, right?" He looked at me with pleading eyes.

We were standing so close, and I could catch the scent of perfume on him that wasn't his. The things those clients said while drinking came back to me, and I felt a rush of nausea.

"Vivian did it on purpose. She's already—"

I didn't even get to finish before Clement cut me off. "Lucille! You can't handle things, and you're dragging other's names through the mud! What's gotten into you?"

He released my hand and headed to his room.

I watched him walk away and couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating smile. He wouldn't believe me, even if I told him the truth.

…

Clement woke me up early the next morning. He'd been asked to be a judge on a talent show. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized Vivian had been invited as a special guest.

Just like I thought, the camera kept focusing on the two of them from the moment filming started, capturing every sweet, intimate exchange.

As soon as the first taping was over, Clement took Vivian backstage. They brushed past me as if I didn't exist, walking right into the lounge.

Vivian shot me a triumphant smile over her shoulder.

I had been by Clement's side for seven years as his assistant, dedicating all my resources and energy to building his career. I had even given up my finance career.

But now, Clement didn't need me anymore. And I had to watch him show off his first love, Vivian, everywhere they went.

They were inside the lounge, chatting with the show's producer.

I couldn't hear their conversation, but Vivian's soft, sweet laughter flowed out in waves. I went through the project papers I hadn't finished yet, and everything just felt like a blur.

"Oh my, Queen Vivi is so thoughtful with Clem!" the producer teased.

I couldn't help myself and glanced toward the lounge again. Through the glass, I saw Vivian carefully wiping coffee from Clement's lips with a tissue.

All I could see was them looking like a couple sharing a kiss, and a wave of helplessness washed over me.

Clement and I had been together for seven years, and we tied the knot five years ago. His career took off after we married, and my resources and connections weren't enough for him anymore.

I let people trample on my pride to help him seal one deal after another. He wouldn't publicly recognize our marriage, and I went along with it without saying a word.

But now, I was actually thinking about divorce for the first time.

As soon as Clement's lunch was on the table, Vivian casually picked the olives off her plate and added them to Clement's.

I was about to stop her, but then I saw Clement smiling at her like this was something she'd done a thousand times.

"You two say you're not a couple but are so in sync. You've probably already gotten married in secret, huh?" the producer joked.

"We're really just friends," Clement said with a smile.

Vivian's smile slipped for a moment before she regained it. "He's always loved olives. I used to treat him like this all the time."

Her words hit me like a cold splash of water. Clement actually loved olives?

I remembered the first meal I'd made for him. The moment he saw olives in the salad, he tossed the plate and cutlery into the trash. He was so disgusted that he ran to the bathroom to puke.

"Didn't I tell you I can't stand olives? Why'd you put them in my food?"

It hit me just then that it wasn't the olives he hated—it was the memories they brought back.

I looked at Clement, who remained calm the entire time.

When I turned to leave, my phone slipped from my hand and lit up as it hit the floor. Clement's picture was on my lock screen, and everyone saw it.

I reached for it, but the producer got to it first. His eyes flicked between me and Clement, looking suspicious. "Isn't that why they say fans shouldn't be assistants? What's this—"

"It was a dare from a team-building game," I blurted out.

Clement looked relieved when he heard that.

"My lock screen's way better!" Vivian chimed in.

I looked where the producer was looking and saw her lock screen. It was a shot taken under fireworks, with her and Clement leaning in by the lake. They were so close that their lips seemed ready to meet.

"Clem loves fireworks. I finally kept my promise and watched them with him yesterday. What do you think of the shot, Lucille? Looks great, right?" Vivian asked with a grin.

I forced a smile at her daring gaze. "Yeah, it looks like a couple's photo."