Chapter 1Secret marriage with the actress for five years

We had been secretly married for five years. Her life was a revolving door of tabloid rumors, but she would never, ever publicly acknowledge me.

On the set of a late-night talk show, the host playfully asked if I was dating anyone.

Even she, my wife, chimed in with a laugh. "Leo, I know so many wonderful, single women. Should I set you up?"

In my past life, that was my breaking point. I pulled out my wedding ring and held it up for the cameras.

A young, rising star named Dylan Croft, who was also on the panel, burst into tears and ran off stage. My wife, the award-winning actress Claire Sterling, said nothing, but from that day on, she grew colder and colder.

When a sudden illness landed me in the hospital, bleeding out and needing emergency surgery, she was at a Michelin-star restaurant, celebrating Dylan’s birthday.

When Dylan hired thugs to assault me and I called her, begging for help, she just watched, her expression blank.

It was only then that I understood. In her heart, I was nothing more than a dirty secret, a piece of furniture to be kept in the dark.

Reborn into this life, I just smiled at the host. "I am, actually. She's not in the business. We're getting married at the end of the month."

* * *

A collective gasp went through the studio audience. No one had expected me to announce my relationship on live television.

Claire’s face darkened. Her hand tightened around her water glass, the plastic crinkling under the pressure. She started to say something, but Dylan, sitting next to her with his boyish charm, jumped in first. "Whoa, Leo, you’ve been holding out on us! If you hadn't lost that round of 'Truth or Dare,' were you just going to keep it a secret forever?"

The show was broadcasting live, and Dylan’s comment sent the online chat into a frenzy.

【*Leo Vance's fans must be devastated! Your man is officially off the market!*】

【*Hehe, at least our Dylan is focused on his career! No time for girls!*】

【*??? Devastated? Leo is an actor. He has a whole shelf of Oscars. He's allowed to have a personal life. Unlike some people who still haven't managed to book a decent role.*】

【*Besides, Leo has always said he would settle down when the time was right.*】

I smiled politely. "It might be a secret, but at least I’m not the other woman."

In my past life, I thought Dylan was an innocent victim, that he didn't know about me and Claire. But just before I died, he had visited me, gloating about how much Claire adored him. He knew from the very beginning.

Dylan's face flickered for a second, but the other guests didn't notice. They were all leaning forward, curious.

"Come on, Leo, who is she? You have to show us a picture!"

"She's not famous? I'm dying to know who could snag Leo Vance!"

I shook my head with a small smile. "She's very private. I'll introduce you all when the time is right."

Just as I finished speaking, a derisive snort came from Dylan. He raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with a challenge. "Leo, are you sure this person even exists? Or did you just make her up? I mean, you're not getting any younger. It would be pretty embarrassing if you were still single at your age. Right, Claire?"

He fluttered his eyelashes at her, a cocky, youthful grin on his face. My hand clenched into a fist under the table. To my horror, Claire gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

Dylan’s grin widened.

A bitter laugh welled up in my throat. For a second there, I had actually hoped for something different.

The other guests tried to smooth things over. "Don't mind Dylan, Leo, he's just kidding around!"

"It's his personal life, guys, we shouldn't pry."

I was about to say something, but a woman's voice cut through from the studio entrance.

"Excuse me, is Leo Vance here? I'm here to pick him up."