They wouldn’t understand, they don’t have
wives!”
After we got together, people online accused
me of two–timing.
They said I was living with Ashley while seeing
Ethan.
Ashley held a press conference, announcing
his indefinite retirement from the
entertainment industry.
He looked much thinner, his cheeks hollow,
stubble shadowing his jaw.
“Summer and I were together for ten years. At
く
our poorest, we shared a basement
apartment and split a cup of noodles.”
“She sacrificed a lot for me. I didn’t cherish
her and took away many of her
opportunities.”
“I’m not saying this for sympathy, but I want
people to see what a talented actress she is.”
“And I hope people will stop the online
attacks. I don’t want my personal issues to
affect her.”
He bowed deeply and left, escorted by
security.
I shook my head, turning off my phone. It was
all his own doing.
Jane urged me to change. It was the Berlin
Film Festival awards ceremony.
Director Lincoln and the crew walked the red
carpet. He came up to me, smiling.
“Good luck, your future is limitless.”
I thanked him, touched.
The host announced the winners.
When my name was called, the room erupted
in applause.
I walked onstage, the flashing lights blurring
the faces in the audience.
But I could clearly see myself from ten years
ago, an extra in Hengdian.
After the ceremony, Ethan waited for me with
roses.
“Congratulations, Summer. You’re officially a
grand slam winner.”
He kissed my hair.
Noticing people staring, I blushed.
“Let’s go, let’s go home.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
I playfully shoved him, and Ethan raised his
hands in surrender.
“I parked a bit far, wait here, I’ll be right
back!”
The venue was almost empty.
<
I rubbed my aching ankle, about to squat
down for a moment, when I saw Ashley’s face
in the shadows.
Our eyes met. Perhaps my look of disdain
was too obvious.
He walked over awkwardly.
“I heard you won the grand slam.
Congratulations.”
I gave a noncommittal “hmm” in response.
Before Ashley could say anything else, a
screech of tires pierced the air.
A white car sped towards us.
“Die!”
Emily’s hate–filled face was reflected in the
windshield as she swerved towards us.
“Look out!”
Ashley reacted first, pulling me into his arms.
The impact threw us onto the grass,
scattering the roses.
A loud crash.
く
Emily’s car hit a utility pole.
The last thing I saw before losing
consciousness was Ashley’s bloody face.
His lips cracked into a smile.
“Good thing it wasn’t you.”
I woke up in the hospital two days later.
Ethan immediately hugged me tight, tears
falling onto my hair.
“You scared me to death.”
He hadn’t slept for two days, terrified I
wouldn’t wake up, ready to die with me.
The doctor said I wasn’t seriously injured.
Thanks to Ashley’s human shield, I only had a
concussion.
But Emily wasn’t so lucky.
Her speed and the impact of the crash were
devastating.
She survived, but her face was severely cut
by the shattered glass.
<
She was ranting about how the world had
wronged her, screaming about killing me.
It was the first time I saw Ethan truly angry.
He hired the best lawyers and worked with
the agency to sue Emily, ensuring she’d stay
in prison for life.
Netizens rejoiced:
【Got what she deserved. What goes around
comes around.】
【This couple is so dumb. They think they can
still threaten people like they did with.
Summer?】
【I told you there’d be karma for breaking
someone’s heirloom!]
【Serves them right! Lock them both up!】
Those who try to manipulate public opinion
will eventually be consumed by it.
Ashley, unprotected in the crash, broke seven
ribs.
He was in the ICU for a week, but never woke
<
The doctor told me not to blame myself. It
was his choice.
He also showed me Ashley’s medical records.
Brain cancer.
It had spread. Even without the accident, he
had at most three months left.
I remembered Ashley’s hesitant expression
before the crash.
Maybe he hadn’t come to bother me, but to
see me one last time.
Ethan and I brought Ashley’s ashes back
home.
We buried them next to his father.
After the funeral, Ashley’s lawyer approached
me with a document.
“Mr. Rivers made this will after his diagnosis,
leaving all his assets to you.”
I flipped through the detailed document.
The company, our old house, everything was
mine.
<
“If everything seems in order, please sign
here.”
“Oh, and Mr. Rivers asked me to give you this
personally.”
I took the small velvet box, a strange
premonition rising within me.
Inside was the simple band I’d worn for ten
years.
There were two originally. Ashley rarely wore
his, so it was still smooth.
I opened a hidden compartment beneath the
ring.
A huge diamond ring sparkled in the light.
Ashley’s handwriting was next to it:
【To my only wife.】
I’d glimpsed this ring before the engagement
party.
I’d tried it on then, a little too big for me.
But I hadn’t cared, just excited about our
future.
I never imagined what would happen after I
opened that door, how everything would spiral
out of control.
I closed the box, placing the ring with Ashley’s ashes.
I looked up at the sky. Blue skies, white
clouds, perfect sunshine.
Let the past stay in the past.
