Chapter 3
Life inside Hawthorne Manor held none of the battles I’d grown used to at the Westbrook Estate. I loved and kept reading, still immersed in academic studies despite taking a leave of absence from school. My passion for learning never faded.
Hawthorne, he shifted from disappearing for days to coming home every night.
Busy or not, he would send me messages telling me where he was.
I learned some massage techniques from Dr. Montgomery, and I thought, maybe his leg could improve through regular
massages.
I started giving him massages, a little shy at first when I voiced my idea to him.
But over time, I became skilled, memorizing every acupoint on the human body.
After six months, Hawthorne went from protesting to accepting it, and eventually, he looked forward to my half-hour massages every day. My hands grew stronger with each session.
Still, days could feel long. So, one day, while I was at the Hawthorne headquarters delivering some documents Hawthorne had left at home, an editor from a Silver Star Entertainment approached me. He asked if I’d be interested in auditioning for a brainy supporting role, a science-whiz heiress. He thought my aura was a perfect match for that.
On a whim, I agreed. Hawthorne didn’t object.
To my surprise, the short drama became a huge hit, and even my supporting role gained me a micro-fandom.
It felt like a fresh start. I never imagined entering the entertainment industry, a world so far removed from mine.
The Hawthorne family had many business ventures, and Silver Star Entertainment was just a small part of it. Hawthorne told me that as long as I didn’t use the Hawthorne name in public, I was free to explore whatever I wanted.
Soon, I had a manager, Mrs. Hargrove, and a little assistant. I even landed several roles as supporting characters in big IP
projects.
I became a small-time actress, and sometimes I’d browse my social media and find it amusing.
One evening, as I lay in bed laughing while reading fan comments to Hawthorne, one hand resting on his leg, I accidentally
touched a sensitive spot.
He let out a low groan, and I assumed I had hurt him. I quickly tossed my phone aside to check, but he pushed me down
onto the bed.
The kiss came naturally, and before long, everything fell into place. We grew more in sync, and our intimacy brought us
both joy.
From that point, our relationship progressed rapidly.
Hawthorne would bring me my favorite little cakes, buy me clothes and jewelry, and occasionally take me to the movies or
for walks by the lake.
We were like any other married couple. And Hawthorne’s leg improved steadily with my massages. Even the doctor called it a miracle. Now, as long as Hawthorne wasn’t walking too quickly, it was nearly impossible to tell he had once limped.
On our third wedding anniversary, Lily West returned.
Chapter 3
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The day she came back, Hawthorne didn’t cling to me as he usually did.
My parents-Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook, too, made an unusually rare call, insiting me and Hawthorne to visit them and have
dinner.
Lily had been away for three years, and during that time, she never once came back. During the one family gathering
around the New Year, my parents awkwardly mentioned that Lily had been busy with her studies.
Hawthorne’s face was cold, without a word. I had no idea what he was thinking. After all, I hadn’t visited the Westbrook
family since our marriage.
But the special treatment for the Westbrooks had never stopped.
When Hawthorne and I arrived at the Westbrook home, we found Lily rushing into his arms, a picture of a graceful young
woman.
I stood by, watching as Hawthorne didn’t push her away.
The woman in his arms had matured, but she still called him “Hawk” in that familiar way, tears streaming down her face,
soaking his suit.
Watching this, my heart felt like it was being pierced by needles. I regretted agreeing to return to the Westbrook family.
When she noticed me standing there, Lily straightened up. “Sorry, sis, I’m just so happy. Hawk-oh, wait, should I call you
brother-in-law now?”
Hawthorne’s temples twitched as he coldly took my hand and led me to our seats.
Lily, eyes wide, stared at us in shock.
The dinner was uncomfortable, more like a performance. Neither my father nor mother asked how I was doing, instead trying to make Lily and Hawthorne talk, saying that Lily had always thought of her ” Hawk.”
Suddenly, it struck me that my parents were trying to play matchmaker for Lily.
From that moment on, Lily hovered around u, constantly appearing by Hawthorne and me.
At first, Hawthorne resisted, but after just a month, he began to accept it.
Lily wanted to enter the entertainment industry, and Hawthorne had Silver Star Entertainment’s top agent take her on.
Lily began to act like the lady of the house, frequently entering the Hawthorne building, and everyone assumed she was Hawthorne’s wife. After all, I kept my identity hidden in the entertainment world, and no one knew about my relationship
with him.
Lily, on the other hand, would loudly call Hawthorne to flirt with him, then bring him takeout to his office.
As for me, I was treated coldly after my first visit, and I never went back. People assumed I was just some 18th-tier actress trying to get close to the CEO.
Lily was pure and adorable, and with Hawthorne’s backing, she quickly rose to fame. The resources kept pouring in for
her.
When Mrs. Hargrove asked if I knew Lily, I said no. Then, Mrs. Hargrove started gossiping about Lily, complaining that she was arrogant, using her connection with the CEO to grab endorsements.
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It wasn’t until I had three endorsements taken from me that I realized Lily was circling the kill.
As for Hawthome, since I entered the industry, he had never given me any special treatment. When we bumped into each
other in the building, he’d pretend not to see me.
At that point, I never once thought about divorce. After all, I truly liked Hawthorne.
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