Theater: NovelMaster | Language: English | NEW
Synopsis
The billionaire heiress’s first love suddenly returned to the city.
She declared her undying love for him on a live TV show, and then partied all night with him at an exclusive nightclub.
After spending three years as his stand-in, I finally woke up.
Take the money, sign the divorce papers, and walk out.
You ask why I left without a single hesitation?
Well, of course, it's because...
My own first love is back, too.
"Seraphina, word on the street is that you wrote and composed your hit single 'Abyss' all by yourself, inspired entirely by your first love. Is that true?"
The host flashed a dazzling smile at the gorgeous woman beside him. Seraphina’s lips curved upward.
"It’s true."
"Now, before we went on air, the producers gave me a little mission for you. Could you call your first love right now and get him to grant you a wish without telling him we're broadcasting live?"
Seraphina hesitated for a split second, then gave a nod.
The moment the call connected, I found myself holding my breath in front of the TV screen at home.
"Julian, it’s me."
A rare, girlish blush spread across Seraphina’s face. "Are you free to talk right now?"
"I just stepped off the plane. What's wrong?"
Julian’s voice was as gentle as ever. Seraphina froze for a beat before blurting out, "Why did you just land? Were you out of town on business?"
"I just flew back to the city today. I wanted to surprise you, but I never expected you’d call me first."
Julian chuckled softly. Hearing that, Seraphina bolted straight out of her chair in sheer excitement.
The host and the guest stars exchanged knowing glances, their faces plastered with smirks.
"Uh, I..."
Seraphina’s mind went completely blank, and words tumbled out of her mouth: "I’m coming to pick you up at the airport right now! Wait for me!"
Right there on a hit live reality show, Seraphina walked out on the production crew and millions of viewers, rushing to Julian without looking back.
The clip went viral on TikTok, and everyone on the internet was congratulating her on finding true love.
Yet not a single soul knew that she had been married for three years.
As I sat alone at home, drowning my sorrows in alcohol, my phone suddenly buzzed.
"Hello? Cole, Seraphina is asking for you."
I glanced at the caller ID; it was Amy, her personal assistant.
Knowing that Seraphina was definitely with Julian right now, my tone couldn't help sounding bitter.
"Isn't she supposed to be busy right now?"
"She was, but she’s completely wasted now and keeps mumbling your name! Please come pick her up, hurry!"
Amy sounded frantic. I frowned at her words.
With a handsome guy right beside her, she actually had time to remember me, her contract husband?
Refusing to look pathetic in front of Julian, I took a quick shower, threw on a fresh suit, and hailed an Uber to the address Amy texted me.
The Royal Club.
"Let me tell you, I run things in my house. When I say jump, Cole never dares to ask how high. Bet you a hundred bucks he'll come running the second I call him!"
Standing outside the VIP lounge, I caught Seraphina's arrogant voice loud and clear.
"Seraphina..."
Her best friend, Chloe, tugged at her sleeve, pointing toward the doorway and whispering, "Cole is here."
I saw a flicker of panic flash across Seraphina's face, but she quickly masked it with a smug smirk, patting the leather cushion beside her.
"Come here. Sit next to me."
I kept my composure as best as I could, walking over to her side. Glancing at the empty liquor bottles on the table, I frowned.
"Go easy on the drinks. You have a family dinner tomorrow."
Seraphina waved her hand dismissively. "Who cares? I'll just tell my grandfather you dragged me out to entertain clients. He always believes you anyway."
I stayed silent. Seeing that I wasn't fighting back, Seraphina rolled her eyes, muttered, "Boring as always," and turned with a radiant smile toward the handsome man sitting next to her.
"Julian, if you ever need anything down the road, just say the word. I'll do whatever it takes to help you."
Julian shook his head gently, looking at her with warm eyes.
"I don't have a solid plan yet. Once I settle down here in the city, I might take over the regional branch of my family's company."
"Great. As soon as you take over, I'll have a massive gift ready for you."
Seraphina rested her chin in her hands, her eyes glued to Julian. Watching the scene unfold, I could tell she wanted nothing more than to lean in and kiss him right then and there.
"To celebrate your return, let's have a drink."
Seraphina raised her glass. Just as Julian picked up his to clink it against hers, she pulled back, flashing a playful, sly grin.
"Let's lock arms and drink together."Julian glanced at me, hesitating slightly.
"Your husband is sitting right here. Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
"He doesn't care about stuff like that."
Seraphina tapped my shoulder, her voice carrying an unspoken warning.
"Right, Cole?"
My fingers slowly curled into a tight fist in my pocket. Looking at Julian, I forced a polite smile.
"Not at all. Go ahead."
As Seraphina and Julian locked arms and knocked back their drinks, the VIP room inevitably erupted into loud cheers and hoots.
"Here, Julian, have a strawberry."
Seraphina held a strawberry up to Julian’s lips, feeding him herself. Julian gave her a deep, meaningful look and didn't pull away.
Watching their intimate, flirtatious display made a sharp pain stab through my chest.
To hide my awkwardness and humiliation, I kept my head down, pretending to scroll through my phone while my mind spiraled out of control.
Though Seraphina and I had been married for three years, I had loved her for far longer than that.
Back in college, Seraphina and Julian were the golden couple everyone envied, while I was merely the lovesick guy who chased after her for four whole years without ever getting a second glance.
After graduation, Julian’s family relocated abroad, and their relationship crumbled.
I stayed by Seraphina's side through every miserable day of her heartbreak. So when her wealthy family pressured her into marriage, she used me as her shield.
We signed a prenuptial agreement before walking down the aisle. She made it painfully clear that she did not love me.
I knew the harsh truth all along. But... so what? I still loved her.
Seeing that their glasses were empty, I stood up, refilled their whiskey, and raised my glass with a smile.
"Julian, welcome back. Let me propose a toast."
Seraphina looked at me, her expression turning unreadable.
Julian quickly stood up. "Thank you for taking such good care of Seraphina all these years. Honestly, I was worried sick about her while I was away."
"It's the least I could do. After all, I'm her husband."
I clinked my glass against his with a cold, fake smile. Catching the fleeting annoyance in his eyes, I smirked and downed the whiskey in one gulp.
Since I had already been drinking heavily at home, a sudden wave of dizziness hit me, making my steps unsteady.
"Since when did your alcohol tolerance get this pathetic?"
Disgust flashed in Seraphina's eyes. "I remember you used to hold your liquor pretty well."
Looking at her, I offered no explanation. Refusing to make a fool of myself in front of this crowd, I turned on my heel, trying to look detached and cool.
"Enjoy the night, guys. I'm heading out."
Seraphina stared at the closed door for a long time. Julian leaned in to talk to her, but seeing her dazed look, he asked softly, "Seraphina, what's wrong?"
Seraphina shook her head, letting out a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Why would I ever care about Cole?... Come on, guys, let's keep drinking!"
Early the next morning, as I opened the front door to leave for work, I found Seraphina sitting slumped against the wall in the hallway, looking utterly lost.
"What happened to you?"
I rushed over and helped her to her feet. Her eyes were blank and hollow, but the moment she saw me, her voice cracked with a touch of vulnerability:
"Cole."
"I'm here."
I looked straight into her eyes. Suddenly, she threw her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly against her chest.
"Do you... not love me anymore?"
I froze for a moment. This was the very first time Seraphina had ever acted so vulnerable and clingy with me.
"You're drunk. Let me carry you inside."
I scooped her up in a bridal carry and walked into the apartment, but she suddenly leaned in and pressed her lips against the corner of my mouth.
I stopped in my tracks, turning my head to meet her glistening, watery eyes.
"I didn't come home all night. Why aren't you angry?"
Her voice was unusually soft. I gently laid her down on the bed and brushed a soft kiss against her forehead.
"I never stop you from doing what you want, because I trust you always have your reasons."
Seraphina stared at me intently for a long time, then suddenly let out a cold chuckle.
"Cole, your acting skills have really leveled up."
I paused, only to hear her mocking sneer continue.
"To catch my attention, you're playing the aloof, unreachable guy now, aren't you?"
"Though..."
Her tone shifted, and she wrapped her arms tightly around my waist.
"I actually kind of like you like this."
I took a deep breath and coaxed her with a helpless sigh, "My spoiled heiress, I still have to head to work. You stay home and get some sleep, and tonight we'll head over to your grandfather's estate for the family dinner together."
I spent half an hour softly reading bedtime stories to Seraphina until her breathing finally grew slow and steady.
I stroked her hair and whispered softly:
"No matter how our story ends, I hope you never forget me in this lifetime."I came from an ordinary, working-class background, so after college, I simply joined a local news agency as an everyday journalist.
Seraphina's background, however, was worlds apart from mine. She was the sole granddaughter of the prominent Vance family—the undisputed titan of high society—doted on by everyone since childhood and crowned the city's golden princess.
Back in college, when she randomly decided she wanted to be an actress, her grandfather, Richard Vance, poured millions into producing a movie tailored specifically for her, casting her as the leading lady.
Later, when she wanted to pivot to being a pop singer, Richard hired Grammy-winning producers from overseas just to write tracks for her.
Whenever any negative comments about Seraphina surfaced online, they were scrubbed within seconds.
If a single IP address posted multiple hate comments about her, they would promptly receive a court summons from the Vance family's high-powered legal team.
Seraphina had lived a charmed, effortless life, and Julian leaving the country was the very first real obstacle she had ever faced.
Her second obstacle was the intense pressure from her family to settle down. The Vances had made it crystal clear: as long as Seraphina liked him, anyone could marry into the Vance family.
And then, she came to me.
When I asked her why she chose me, she merely smirked and said:
"Because you're the most obedient."
...
After work, I called Seraphina, planning to pick her up so we could head to the family dinner together. But when the line connected, it was Julian's voice on the other end.
"Seraphina just stepped away to the restroom. Once she's back, I'll have her call you back."
His effortless, casual tone sounded like he was her real husband, making me on the other end of the line feel like insignificant dust.
"Uh..."
Panicking that Seraphina might just run off with him, I rushed to say:
"Tonight is the annual Vance family dinner. Make sure she gets back on time, or her grandfather is going to be furious."
"Sure thing, I'll pass the message along."
Julian's voice was gentle and poised. I hung up in a hurry, my mind spinning into complete chaos.
Seraphina was clearly asleep in bed when I left the house this morning—how on earth was she with Julian now?
I waited, but her call never came. I had no choice but to head to the Vance estate alone.
"Mr. Cole, you're here."
The head butler, Lewis, greeted me. I gave a slight nod. "Lewis."
"Where is Miss Seraphina?"
Noticing I was completely alone, Lewis looked puzzled. "Is she still caught up with work?"
I thought to myself that I had no clue what kind of wild mess she was getting into right now, but I offered Lewis a polite, awkward smile.
"Maybe."
"Is Cole back?!"
Grandfather Richard's booming, authoritative voice echoed across the foyer. My knees almost went weak. I hurried over and greeted him respectfully:
"Good evening, Grandfather."
Richard adjusted his reading glasses, his stern, weathered face scowling into a tight frown.
"Why are you by yourself? Where the hell is Seraphina?"
"She..."
Just as I was sweating over how to cover for her, my phone rang at the perfect moment, saving my skin.
"Go take that."
Richard waved his hand dismissively, and I practically sprinted to a quiet corner.
"Hello, Amy?"
"Cole, we have an emergency! Seraphina got into huge trouble!"Amy was practically hyperventilating over the phone. I froze. "Calm down, take a breath. Tell me what happened."
Amy blurted out that Seraphina had hit a pedestrian with her sports car earlier. The victim was rushed to the ER, and Seraphina was currently detained down at the precinct.
Hearing that, my heart dropped into my stomach.
When I rushed into the police station out of breath, the first thing I saw was Seraphina clinging tightly to Julian's arm, fast asleep on his shoulder.
I froze in my tracks. Just as I was agonizing over whether to turn around and leave, sharp-eyed Amy spotted me.
"Cole!"
She flailed her arms like a wind turbine, leaving me with no choice but to walk over.
Amy pointed right at me and told the officer, "This is Seraphina's husband. He's here to post her bail."
The cop gave me a suspicious, sideways glance, then looked over at Seraphina and Julian cuddled up intimately. His expression turned utterly complicated.
"Sign here, pay the two thousand dollar bail, and you can take your wife home."
I signed my name and walked up to stand right in front of Seraphina.
"Seraphina. Time to go home."
Seraphina fluttered her eyes open in a daze. Seeing me standing there, she blanked out for several seconds.
"I can leave now?"
"Yeah."
I cut my eyes toward Julian. He offered me a faint, apologetic smile.
"I just didn't want to wake her, so I didn't push her away."
"How did you two end up together?"
I looked straight at Seraphina. She let out a casual hum and shrugged dismissively.
"I woke up feeling hungry, and Julian happened to bring me some hangover broth, so we grabbed a bite together."
She said it so casually, so unapologetically.
It made me, the legal husband, look like a petty, jealous lunatic.
Amy stole a nervous glance at me, whispering softly, "Cole, please, just get her out of here."
I let out a heavy sigh, looking down at Seraphina with utter exhaustion.
"Let's go, Princess."
As I turned around, I caught sight of Julian’s hands balling into tight fists.
Since Seraphina's car had been impounded by traffic enforcement after the accident, and it was well past midnight, the two of us walked silently down the empty, chilly street.
Seraphina trailed behind me with her head hanging low, not saying a single word.
When I suddenly stopped walking, she bumped straight into my back.
"Ow!"
Rubbing her sore nose, Seraphina glared up at me. "What is your problem?!"
"Do you have anything you want to say to me about Julian?"
I turned around to face her. Seraphina arched a brow. "Say what? You know our whole history inside out, don't you?"
I scoffed under my breath, pointing directly at my own chest.
"Except I am your husband right now."
The mocking smirk on Seraphina's lips froze, and her gaze hardened as she glared at me.
"Cole, what are you trying to say?"
"You knew exactly how crucial tonight was, yet you blew off the annual family dinner anyway," I said, looking dead into her eyes, my voice flat. "Anyone who skips the family dinner faces punishment. You're a Vance, blood family—they'd never lay a hand on you. But what about me?"
Seraphina blinked innocently, without a shred of remorse. "It's just kneeling on the cold marble floor for twenty-four hours. You're a grown man, what are you so terrified of? Chill out, I'll sneak food in for you."
Looking at her indifferent, entitled face, the very last shred of love and hope I had held for her shattered completely into dust.
Chapters (4)
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4