Chapter 2

"Excuse us, my wife had a little too much to drink," Julian hissed, grabbing my wrist tight and dragging me away from the cameras.

"Evelyn, what the hell are you doing?! Just because I gave her the lead role?!"

"You've won dozens of awards! Are you really that petty over one script?"

"Blindsiding me with a breakup in front of the media? Do you know what this does to our brand? It's going to ruin everything!"

"Sit in the lounge and sober up while I fix this with the press. You need to think long and hard about your childish behavior tonight!"

He berated me non-stop down the hallway.

I didn't utter a single word. The man walking beside me felt like a complete stranger.

Hearing that I wanted a divorce, his first instinct wasn't to ask why.

It was to assume I was throwing an irrational tantrum.

Tuning out his nagging, I pulled out my key, only to find my private dressing room door was already unlocked.

I pushed it open.

Chloe was standing right in front of the vanity mirror, admiring herself in my evening gown.

"What are you doing in my dressing room?"

"Evie, I... I just needed something dry to wear," Chloe stammered, looking like a wounded deer.

"Who gave you permission to touch my things? Where did you get the key?"

She looked on the verge of tears. Julian's impatient voice came from behind me.

"I gave it to her. Her dress was ruined and she didn't bring a backup. You two are roughly the same size. What's the big deal about borrowing a dress?"

"Julian, open your eyes and look at what she's wearing."

The cut of the gown was slightly dated, but the intricate handcrafted embroidery was unmistakable.

It was custom-made for me when I got my very first Best Supporting Actress nomination. Julian had scrimped and saved to have it made for me.

Back then, we had barely paid our rent, with only double digits left in our bank account. Yet he gritted his teeth and paid for this gown.

"My girl deserves the absolute best," he had told me back then. "You're going to outshine everyone in the room."

"It's just an old dress," Julian sneered now. "If you think it's dirty because she touched it, just throw it out. I'll buy you a new one tomorrow."

"I'm so sorry, Evie," Chloe sobbed. "I'll buy you a replacement, I swear."

"See? Chloe already apologized. Can't you be the bigger person for once?"

Listening to the two of them perform their little duet made me sick.

I stepped forward, raising my hand toward Chloe's face.

"Enough!" Julian barked, stepping in between us and grabbing my wrist. "Can you be reasonable for once? You're the one who threw wine on her!"

"Julian, did you completely forget what this dress means?"

He frowned down at me, his jaw clenched tight.

"I remember. But people have to move on, Evelyn. You can't live in the past forever."

Chloe covered her face and rushed out of the room, sobbing dramatically.

Julian threw me one last disgusted look before chasing after her, slamming the door shut behind him.

I thought I would scream, or break down, or chase after him demanding answers.

Instead, I didn't even spare him another glance. I sat down at the vanity and calmly texted my lawyer.

A notification popped up from Julian.

[Chloe's stomach is acting up. I'm driving her home. You've had wine, so don't drive. Call an Uber.]

Staring at the screen, a memory flashed through my mind from years ago, before we were married, at a charity gala.

He had held a glass of juice all night just so he could stay sober. As we left, he bundled his coat around my shivering shoulders.

"I didn't drink. I'm driving you home."

Back then, with the night breeze drifting through the car windows, he had looked at me and said:

"Whenever you're with me, I don't touch alcohol. I don't trust anyone else to get you home safe."

I typed back a single letter: [K.]

I didn't even bother adding a fake "drive safe."

After finalizing the divorce papers with my lawyer, I messaged my manager, Sarah.

[Sarah, that countryside reality show you mentioned? I'll take it.]

My phone rang within three seconds.

"Oh, thank god, babe! You finally came to your senses!" Sarah cheered. "I told you to stop trapping yourself in his repetitive scripts. This retreat show is perfect. Great exposure, completely relaxing—"

She paused, dropping her voice.

"I saw Chloe's post on Ins. That little snake is clearly fishing for clout. If you're feeling down, don't keep it bottled up..."

"Sarah," I cut her off gently. "I already asked for a divorce."