Make You Feel My Love

I politely declined the magazine shoot invitation from the top celebrity, and soon after, I graced the cover alongside a financial mogul.

The celebrity furiously commented, "Hah, just a nobody. She turned down a stunning man like me and couldn't wait to settle for this sleazy middle-aged man right after her divorce."

The middle-aged gentleman turned to be my father, declared, "This media need to be blacklisted right now!"

1

At the charity gala auction, the financial mogul, whom I had recently reconnected with, spent a fortune to win a diamond necklace for me.

Reporters quickly thrust microphones in my face, asking, "Are you currently single or married?"

"Single, " I replied, knowing this was the standard answer in the entertainment industry.

"Who is the man you most want to marry next?"

"Stan Cloud, "

I almost blurted out from habit.

My manager in the audience was frantically signaling to me.

It dawned on me that I had already signed my name on the divorce papers in the study.

For five years, I had a contract with Stan, which required me to boost his public exposure at every opportunity.

But now, I was free.

Hmm, whose name should I say? The entertainment industry was full of handsome men, yet I couldn't think of one.

My eyes slyly scanned the audience, and a poster of an elegant, proud man caught my eye.

His aura practically shouted, "Don't drag me into this, stay away."

Stan's biggest rival, the hottest bachelor in the entertainment world, was the perfect shield.

I smirked and said, "Actually, it's Xander Own."

2

The room erupted in astonishment.

The microphone was then passed to the financial mogul and Xander, who was standing in the corner.

"What's your answer towards this?"

My clenched hands began to sweat.

I felt socially annihilated; I had no idea Xander was here today!

This was bad, really bad. Everyone in the industry knew Xander was famous for his outspokenness.

Last time, a famous actress confessed her love for him during a live stream, and he immediately cut all ties with her, even vowing never to work with her again.

I glanced at him guiltily, bracing myself for the inevitable backlash.

"It was my honor, " he said, "I am flattered."

Our eyes met briefly, and instead of sparks flying, I felt a strange illusion that he was deeply infatuated with me.

Why was he treating me so differently?

Could he actually like me?

I shook my head. This was Xander.

How could I be so self-absorbed?

My father, hearing this, looked at him approvingly, "Not bad, he was qualified to join the family."

3

"Scandal. Ashley Wright caught between a triple award-winning actor and a financial mogul, rumored to be in a love triangle!"

The headline screamed, making it clear that

I, Ashley, a minor celebrity, had made it to the trending topics.

I excitedly clung to my manager and best friend Ivy Francis.

For five years, Stan didn't want me to be too public, and I dutifully played the role of his supportive wife.

During those years, Stan's career soared, while I remained out of the spotlight.

Ivy threw a pillow at me, and I quickly dodged.

"I gave you hints, why did you still say something stupid?"

I felt wronged but didn't dare to speak.

In that quiet moment, I began to wonder if mentioning Xander's name was really just a coincidence or if it was an answer buried deep within me all along.

Ivy glared at me, frustrated by my lack of awareness.

"The contract still had six months, why did you divorce?"

"Well, I'm pregnant, " I confessed, lowering my voice, "and the child isn't Stan's."

4

"Look at you, Ashley, you've just publicly cheated on Stan! Everyone knows he was on set for the past three months."

Ivy's shrill voice gave me a headache. "Whose is it?"

I shook my head.

"You don't know? I shouldn't have left you alone that night."

She was referring to the company's annual gala.

Stan, who was supposed to be on set, returned to the estate and was found in my master bedroom with his assistant, Tina Cloud.

After five years of a nominal marriage, I finally understood why.

I was too naive. How could someone truly in love not touch the person they care about, especially for five years?

I silently signed the divorce papers.

That night, I drank too much spiked wine

and woke up disheveled in a hotel bed.

I wanted to feebly protest, saying I hadn't technically cheated, but swallowed my words under Ivy's disapproving gaze.

Stan's PR team was efficient.

When I checked my phone again, the comments had shifted.

"He's panicking, he's panicking."

"Am I the only one who sees he's jealous?"

The marriage news didn't ruin him; instead, it built a devoted lover image.

As I scrolled down, amidst the sympathetic comments, a few had gone off-topic.

A user named "AshleyIsInMyHeart" commented, "Doesn't anyone think Ashley and Xander make a perfect match?"

"I second that!"

Ivy whispered, "Are you really planning to let go this time?"

4

"I can't stand her, Stan."

At Rose Manor, Building A, Unit 1803, our marital home, Stan's manager had summoned me to discuss follow-up matters.

When I entered, the manager was absent, and Stan was comforting Tina, holding her gently.

"It's all your fault, making things difficult for me now, " he said softly.

Standing right in front of her, Tina showed no embarrassment about badmouthing me behind my back.

"Tina acted impulsively, why did you have to make such a fuss?"

Stan, looking annoyed at me, shifted the blame for not being able to appease Tina onto me.

Whenever Tina and I argued, Stan always said similar things.

"She's young and doesn't understand, don't blame her."

"She's my only family, don't be unreasonable."

Stan, Tina, and I grew up together.

Stan told me Tina was his biological sister.

I had always loved this man.

When his manager put forward the idea that he should get married to uphold his image as a dedicated person during the downturn in his career, I married him without hesitation, becoming the invisible woman behind his perfect facade.

For five years, I endured Tina's provocations for the sake of family harmony.

At this moment, Ivy's question from earlier finally had an answer.

"Mr. Cloud, let me remind you, I've already signed the divorce papers."

"Just because of Tina's unintentional mistake?

You should know that half of why we live here is thanks to Tina."

"Thanks for what? " I chuckled sarcastically, "for climbing into your bed?"

I threw the DNA test results proving Tina and Stan weren't related in front of them.

I knew Stan was talking about that incident when someone got down on their knees in the rain, pleading for a role.

The event was real, but the protagonist was me.

"Are you so sure it was your non-blood-related sister who helped you?"

I emphasized "non-blood-related sister."

Ridiculous, I had never doubted Stan was lying to me.

Tina panicked as expected.

"This is the last time."

Before, explanations were futile; now, I realized there was no need for them.

I turned to leave, and Stan, in a fit of rage, shouted, "Think carefully, once you step out of this door, there's no turning back."