I never thought this day would come. I've imagined a lot of things that could go wrong in my marriage, but I never even imagined that it would come to this. And I never thought I would see it with my own eyes. But there it was- a picture of my husband holding another woman close, smiling in ways he never smiled at me. To make it worse, it was not just any woman. It was Eva Sterling. Multibillionaire, Lucian Dhark, reunites with superstar, Eva Sterling. When I first read the headline, I was so shocked I could barely stand on my feet. For a moment, it felt like the world was spinning. The name 'Eva Sterling' haunted me. Eva was the woman who lived on magazine covers and television screens, the golden girl admired by the whole world. I grew up watching Eva on TV, in my tiny dorm room, wondering how someone could look so flawless. How someone could be so wanted. She always seemed so perfect, so untouchable and glamorous, almost as if she wasn't part of the same world as people like me. And Lucian... Lucian had once chosen her. That knowledge lived like a ghost in our marriage, even on the days I tried to forget. I didn't even realize when my phone slipped out of my trembling fingers and landed on the kitchen counter. My eyes burned with anger and hurt as I stared at the picture. Lucian had never looked at me like that. Not in five years. Not in all the quiet mornings when I made his coffee just the way he liked it. Not in the nights when I whispered "I love you", begging for something he no longer felt. But now, he looked at Eva like she was his world. Eva Sterling was everything I wasn't-famous, breathtaking, loved, and accomplished in her career. I sank onto the couch, with my head in my hands, staring at the photo as if the longer I looked, the less real it would become. Claire? A gentle voice pulled me back. Camilla, the housekeeper, stood in the doorway. "Are you okay, dear?" I lifted my phone and turned the screen toward her. "Did you see this?" Her eyes widened. "Oh, Claire..." She sat beside me, placing her hand on my shoulder, the way a mother would comfort a scared child. "These pictures... they don't necessarily mean..." I didn't let her finish. "Yes, they do." My voice cracked despite my effort to sound composed. "I can't believe he would do this... and with Eva. His ex." Camilla sighed softly. "I know it looks bad, but you don't know the whole story yet." No. My voice came out firmer than I expected, far stronger than I felt. "But I know this is real." We sat in silence for a several moments. Camilla rubbed my back gently, and her voice lowered to a whisper. You know... I remember how Lucian used to look at you, she whispered. "During your first months here. He wasn't exactly warm _ he never had been -but he noticed you. He cared and he showed it." She paused. "He had this... softness in his eyes. I haven't seen that in a long time." Camilla's words stirred the memories inside me. I remembered the early days, when Lucian would brush my hair behind my ear during a late-night conversation, how he'd asked if I had eaten when I forgot meals, how he'd held my wrist gently when he thought I was upset. The small gestures and quiet warmth was enough for me to believe I mattered. But the warmth faded and faded until it was completely gone. Camilla's voice pulled me back. "Something changed, but it wasn't your fault." She said, rubbing small circles on my back. "It was his." Happy? Claire, what kind of silly question is that? He exhaled sharply. "I've had a long day. I don't have time for your drama." My eyes burned, my shoulders dropped and my heart dropped even lower. Moments passed between us as we stared at each other-a couple whose marriage was slowly collapsing. One loved too much. One did not love enough. Claire, Lucian said at last, sounding detached and distant. "You and I come from two different worlds. You know that. We want different things." I thought we wanted each other, I whispered. You've always been naive, he muttered. "It's time to grow up, Claire." Lucian's words struck me like a blow. "Do you still love me?" The silence that followed was unbearable, heavy and painful. I had my answer. After a long moment, he sighed and picked up his coat. "Go to bed, Claire. It's late." He walked past me without touching me. Without even looking at me. Just like that, he ended the conversation- leaving me standing alone in the middle of the room, with nothing but the image of my husband and another woman, arm in arm, burned into my mind.

Mr. Dhark, we need to discuss the company's long-term succession plan. One of the board members began. I immediately frowned, not bothering to look up from the document lying on the table in front of me. I didn't need to, because I knew exactly where this conversation was going. Another board member cleared his throat. "Public image matters, Mr. Dhark. You're thirty-six and investors value stability. An heir would reassure them." Lifting my gaze slowly, I tried to remain calm and composed. "My marriage and my family will not be discussed by this board." The board members exchanged knowing glances. With due respect, Mr. Dhark, another board member added carefully. "It's been five years since your marriage to Claire Moreau… yet she has not conceived. I believe it is time to evaluate the reason." The word 'evaluate' hit me like a slap. As if Claire was a failing business asset that needed evaluation or replacement. If the issue is from your wife, He continued. "Of course there are other options." The sentence made my heart beat louder than usual. Other options. Eva. It felt like something restless stirred inside me. She was a memory that simply refused to go away. I stood abruptly, the legs of my chair scraping sharply against the polished floor, making several board members flinch. Meeting's over. I declared. Mr Dhark— It's over. I repeated. My tone was harsh and unquestionable. There was no room for argument. I walked out of the conference room before my temper exploded, but their words followed me like an echo. An heir, stability, public image. Even the elevator felt suffocating on the way down. I hated when people cornered me about things I couldn't fix, things I didn't know how to approach without destroying the person involved. Claire. The last thing I wanted was for her to get trapped by the world's expectations. But that was exactly what was happening. And somewhere at the back of my mind, a face lingered. A face I had tried so hard to forget —Eva. Her green eyes, her teasing smile, her easy laughter. A ghost I had buried who refused to stay dead. The next morning, I woke up to sunlight spilling across the room. Claire sat at the edge of the bed, still dressed in yesterday's clothes, staring at nothing. I realized she had not slept after our argument last night and immediately felt pity for her. She had seen the photos, confronted me and I hadn't given her even the slightest reassurance. For a moment, I remembered a different version of her. I remembered the woman who would bring me tea when I worked late, and I would kiss her forehead in silent appreciation. I had been gentler then. Before I realized how dangerous my emotions were. So I hardened again. Claire. I called, sitting up slowly. She wiped her cheeks quickly, pretending she hadn't been crying, then turned to me with a faint smile. Good morning. Her voice trembled. Her eyes were red and swollen. "We should go to the hospital today, just like you said." The board had pushed my hand. After the meeting, I'd instructed my secretary to schedule an appointment with a fertility doctor… and call Claire to inform her. Perhaps I should have called her myself. Are you sure you're up for it? I asked, sincerely concerned. Claire nodded. "I want to know what's wrong with me." Her voice was so small, I barely heard her. Something twisted inside me. I hated it when she spoke like everything was her fault. There were a lot of things I wanted to tell her—things I should have said last night, instead of shutting down. I wanted to tell her nothing was wrong with her. That the photos meant less than she feared. That I was sorry for being an ass. But when I opened my mouth, nothing came out. The hospital smelled like disinfectant and lavender, a scent I knew too well. A scent that dragged memories I had buried, back to the surface: my mother's failing body, the machines beeping around her and her fragile hand in mine. Yes. I said as I rose from my seat, ready to finally leave the hospital. "I have a meeting." Her lips parted in disbelief. "After what we just heard?" Let's go home Claire. The words came out harsher than I intended, but I needed to leave before the hospital walls suffocated me and the memories swallowed me whole. The doctor looked away politely, but the damage was done. The ride home was silent. Claire stared out the window, with tears sliding down her face. This time, she didn't wipe them away. Once again, I couldn't bring myself to reach for her and hold her. I couldn't even find the courage to say her name. Guilt consumed me as I sat beside her, useless, while she cried. I had hurt her and I would never be able to fix it. When we got home, she stepped out of the car and into the house without saying a word. Not even a goodbye. On instinct, I followed her. She walked through the front door and into the bedroom, slamming the door shut. I stopped at the closed door, frozen. Unsure of whether I should knock or just leave her alone. I chose the latter. I didn't know how to be the man she needed in that moment. Claire deserved better than a man who couldn't even hold her hand. As I turned to leave for the office, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen, expecting my assistant. I felt my heart skipped a beat when I saw the name on the screen. Eva Sterling. I hesitated for a moment, then curiosity… weakness won. And I opened the text. We need to talk. It's about the photos." — Eva." My pulse was racing as I stared at the text. I knew Eva too well. And I knew leaked photos were never an accident with her.

I wanted to stay home. My whole body felt heavy and hollow. The doctor's words would not stop ringing in my head. It felt like my eyes were burning with tiredness. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Lucian turning away from me after hearing the doctor's words… Earlier that day, Lucian's assistant had sent me a reminder... Your presence is required at the Dhark Foundation Gala. In other words, I had to go to the event, with or without Lucian. My whole life, I've been taught that the good wife shows up. So I dressed up, put on faint makeup, and I showed up. But I regretted coming to the Gala as soon as I stepped in. The photographers barely glanced in my direction as I stepped out of the car. Their cameras swung past me, settling instead on a woman in a red dress. They screamed her name and the camera lights flickered endlessly. It was just Claire Moreau after all. If Lucian had accompanied me, it would have been a completely different story. Inside the ballroom, golden chandeliers dripped light, casting the room in a warm glow. People laughed, champagne glasses clinked, violins hummed softly. On any other night, it would have felt beautiful, but tonight, it felt suffocating. Claire, darling! Mrs. Halberg called, walking up to me and kissing the air beside my cheek. "Good to see you." That's a lovely dress, Mrs. Dhark, another woman chimed, though her eyes darted past me, searching for someone more interesting. Oh, is Lucian not accompanying you? Mrs. Halberg asked. The question stung like a hundred bees. He had a late meeting, I replied, forcing a smile. Technically, I had told the truth. I drifted toward a quiet corner, clutching my single glass of water, with the doctor's words repeating in my head over and over again. Extensive scar tissue. "Extremely unlikely." My stomach twisted and twisted. What kind of wife could not even give her husband a child? I had always imagined that the birth of a child would make Lucian happy. Maybe even make him love me again… Two younger women walked by, wearing flashy sequined gowns. Claire, right? one asked brightly. Yes, I replied. I love your…minimalist look, she said politely, though her eyes scanned my simple gown with disapproval. "It's very simple, very… safe." She added. Her friend nodded with sympathy in her eyes. "It must be hard dressing for these events when you're coming alone." They left before I could respond. And even if they hadn't, what could I possibly say? It felt like my insides were crumbling. Before I could gather myself, a sudden eruption of noise and excited screams swept through the room, grabbing my attention. The clicking of cameras. The murmurs and gasps. The energy shifted as though something extraordinary had arrived. I turned towards the noise there she was: Eva Sterling. She walked into the ballroom like she owned it, in a gold gown that hugged her gorgeous body. Her honey-blonde hair flowed in soft curls, framing a face that cameras loved and the world admired. Eva didn't just enter the room; She claimed it. Cameras began firing so fast the air glittered with flashing lights. People stepped aside as she walked, creating a clear path for her as if she were royalty. In a sense, Eva Sterling was national and international royalty. People flocked to her in an instant. Eva! Over here! You look so stunning! Someone shouted excitedly. I loved your last film! Mind blowing! Oh my God, it's really her! She's even prettier in real life! I had seen photos of Eva, read articles about her, knew she was Lucian's ex. But nothing prepared me for the real woman in front of me: she was breathtaking and sensational in a way that made me feel invisible. She was confident, radiant _ everything I wasn't. I could still remember the first time I had ever heard her name, years ago. I remembered sitting in my bed late at night, typing 'Eva Sterling' into G****e. It hit me like a bomb: her red carpet pictures, her acting awards, her glamorous life. Eva turned her head slowly toward me, her lips curved into a soft, poisonous smile. Yes, Claire, she murmured with feigned innocence, "when?" The question sliced through me like a sharp blade. I felt like the walls were closing in. I desperately needed air. I—I should go, I said, stepping back. Are you alright? the woman asked, still smiling cluelessly. Eva's eyes watched me, amused, as I quickly walked away before the tears gathering in my eyes would betray me. I found a quiet hallway near the restrooms, leaned against the cool wall and finally let the tears I had been holding back slide down my cheeks. The truth hurt more than anything: I couldn't have a child. I couldn't give Lucian the heir he desired. And Eva… Eva made me feel like a complete failure. I pressed a hand to my chest, hoping my heartbeat would slow down. Two women walked past the hallway entrance, whispering loudly. Eva left early. One of them gossiped. "She told the organizers she had to meet someone 'very important.'" Probably a man, the other giggled. "A woman as gorgeous and successful as Eva never stays single for long." Another pair of guests approached. They weren't aware that I was around the corner. I heard Eva used to date someone powerful. A man whispered. Of course, the woman with him replied, "Eva only dates the elite. Billionaires, producers, CEOS…" I bet she left early because she's meeting her mystery man tonight. Someone said he sent a car. The words hit me harder than I expected. Eva left early to meet someone important. Someone like… could it be… I closed my eyes and for the first time, a horrible thought crept into my mind. Lucian. The name slammed into my mind like thunder and suddenly, the hallway around me felt too tight. What if Eva wasn't just Lucian's past? What if she was still part of his present?