Chapter 3
Today was their wedding anniversary. At midnight, Drew had posted a heartfelt essay on his Twitter expressing his love and gratitude for her.
Within hours, likes and shares had reached into the millions. Electronic billboards across the city played videos Drew had personally edited, showing everyone his love for her.
Outside their mansion, a crowd had gathered, lining the path with 1,825 roses–one for each day they’d been married. In the center of the path stood a giant crystal hollow ring filled with designer clothes and bags from the season’s newest collections. A small music box on top repeatedly played
Drew’s voice:
“Darling, happy anniversary. I love you.”
Vanessa remained expressionless. She closed her bedroom door and buried herself under the
covers, as if none of this concerned her.
Drew called, his voice apologetic: “Sweetheart, there’s been a sudden issue with a deal. I can’t come
back for our anniversary today, but I promise to make it up to you when I return.”
Hearing his clumsy lie, Vanessa suddenly laughed, her voice trembling: “It’s fine.”
“Baby, you’re upset,” Drew immediately sensed her mood shift. “I’ve prepared many surprises for you. I hope you like them.”
“No, work is important. I’m feeling unwell. Going to sleep now.” Vanessa coldly hung up.
She curled into a ball, struggling to contain the pain in her heart.
Outside, the celebration continued. Drones Drew had arranged performed in the sky, forming
various shapes expressing his love for Vanessa.
Many reporters had arrived, hoping to interview Vanessa and continue promoting their love story.
Vanessa ignored it all.
Just then, her phone rang repeatedly.
promoting
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His Double Life Crashed My Empire Soaredt
1.5%
Chapter 3
Seeing Drew’s name on the screen, her vision blurred again. She wanted to answer and ask why he broke his promise, why he fell in love with someone else.
But in the end, she simply turned off her phone and buried her head in the covers.
Time passed. Suddenly, the covers were yanked away, and a bright light shone in, hurting Vanessa’s
eyes.
Against the light, she saw Drew looking haggard, his face bloodless, his eyes filled with worry and fear.
Sensing her unhappiness, he had rushed back, calling her repeatedly with no answer.
The moment he saw her, he pulled her tightly into his arms, his voice hoarse with emotion: “Thank God you’re home! Baby, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
Drew’s eyes reddened as his body trembled uncontrollably. “I’ll never leave you alone at home again. When you didn’t answer my calls, my world collapsed.”
“Nothing is more important than you. I’m back to spend our anniversary together.”
Vanessa remained silent.
Drew, assuming she was still angry, knelt before her: “Promise me you’ll never ignore my calls again, never ignore me. It would kill me.”
His nervousness and fear seemed genuine. He did love her.
“You got back rather quickly,” Vanessa said with a forced smile. Drew’s expression changed slightly, showing a hint of guilt.
“Haven’t eaten all day, have you? I’ll take you to Skyline.” Drew changed the subject, gently arranging the loose strands of hair on her forehead.
“No,” Vanessa shook her head.
Drew grew anxious. “Then rest a bit. I’ll go downstairs and cook for you.”
“Hmm.” Vanessa nodded coldly, turning her back to him.
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Chapter 3
He attributed her behavior to lingering anger, took a deep breath, and left the room.
About fifteen minutes later, commotion erupted downstairs.
Vanessa went down to find the living room full of Drew’s friends, helping to rehang freshly developed photos on the wall.
Seeing Vanessa, they rushed to defend Drew:
“Vanessa, Drew was terrified. I’ve never seen him so worried.”
“Next time you’re mad, tell us guys–we’ll help you get back at him. But don’t throw away photos or turn off your phone. It nearly killed Drew.”
“If we hadn’t found you, Drew would have lost his mind.”
“Yeah, when Drew saw the empty wall, he nearly passed out. He was digging through the trash bins.”
“Everybody shut up,” Drew emerged from the kitchen wearing an apron, looking angry. “It’s my fault. I hurt my wife, and she has every right to punish me.”
“Drew really is the ultimate husband, willing to lose face in front of his wife. You’re so lucky, Vanessa,” Talia emerged from the crowd, her face full of admiration.
Drew’s expression remained normal as he smiled warmly: “Of course I dote on my wife.”
Vanessa felt a chill of disgust, finding him utterly hypocritical.
But she didn’t want to expose him.
“The photos don’t need to be rehung. I want to change the wall color,” Vanessa said flatly.
Drew walked to Vanessa and slipped his arm around her waist. “Don’t rehang them. Whatever my
wife wants.”
“Drew is such a simp,” someone teased.
Drew seemed unbothered. He guided Vanessa to the sofa, then returned to the kitchen to finish cooking.
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Wie Doub
Chapter 3
Everything Drew prepared was Vanessa’s favorite food, yet she found herself unable to taste
anything.
Under the table, one of Drew’s hands served her food while the other secretly intertwined fingers
with Talia.
Vanessa suddenly found the whole situation utterly pointless. She desperately wanted to leave this place, to leave Drew behind.
After dinner, Drew didn’t give Vanessa a chance to refuse as he bent down to help her with her socks
and shoes, then carried her outside while his friends cheered them on.
Talia joined in the teasing banter, but Vanessa clearly caught the flash of venomous jealousy in her
eyes.
ad arranged a special fireworks show over the ocean for Vanessa, even hiring her favorite
o perform.
Halfway through the performance, Drew excused himself to use the restroom.
Something compelled Vanessa to follow him.
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