4. Designer X Has Returned

My fingers instinctively tightened around the phone, hearing Tania’s words.

I didn't hear her wrong, did I?

“I checked your marriage certificate, Anna. It was fake!” Tania groaned. “Don’t tell me the scumbag tricked you!”

Tricked me…

Aiden himself asked me to marry him.

Three years ago, he’d knocked at my apartment’s door, claiming he’d been looking for me for over three months. 

He asked me to be his wife.

He promised to do his best to make sure that I never lacked anything.

At that time, 

I fell for his sincerity. 

Because, for the first time… someone was finally choosing me without knowing my background. 

I fell for Aiden because he was the only man who didn't care if I had anything or not. 

Turned out…

The marriage I was desperately trying to save for three years never even existed. 

“Anna…” Tania’s voice softened. “Are you alright?” 

I gave a dry smile.

Strangely, I didn't feel sad or heartbroken right now. The anger that I expected didn't even come.

“I’m fine,” I responded, my voice soft and calm.

After the call ended, I boarded a taxi. 

Fortunately, my old apartment was still intact. The housekeeper I hired did a good job taking care of it for the last three years. 

I settled down. 

And that evening, I opened my laptop and logged back into the forum I'd last visited three years ago. 

[Designer X: “Time changes many things. Passion isn't one of them.” Does ‘Dreamers’ still remember how to dream?] 

The Dreamers Design Forum seemed to have gone quiet over the years.

Then I dropped that post.

Overnight, the entire forum exploded with thousands of comments.

"Ahhh! Someone pinch me! Is that really Designer X!?"

"No way... Designer X actually logged in!"

"Designer X is back!!!"

"Three years! Do you have any idea how long we've been waiting!?"

"Am I dreaming? Someone tell me this isn't a fake account!"

"Designer X, where have you been all these years!?"

"The legend has finally returned!"

"I joined Dreamers after she disappeared. Is that really THE Designer X everyone's always talking about?"

"You don't understand. Half the designers on this forum grew up studying her sketches."

"Designer X was the reason I enrolled in design school."

"The woman who sold a single design for seven figures is posting again?"

"I still have her old design analyses saved on my computer."

"Forget sleeping. I'm staying online tonight."

"Quick! Screenshot everything before she vanishes again!"

"After three years, the first thing she does is challenge Dreamers. That's so like her."

"I can't believe my idol is active again."

"Senior members, please tell me this isn't some elaborate prank."

"A prank? Look at the account verification badge. That's definitely her."

"Three years of silence, and she still managed to bring the entire forum back to life with one post."

"The forum hasn't been this active in years."

"I remember when every design competition ended with people asking, 'What would Designer X do?'"

"Designer X, will you be posting your work again?"

"Please tell me you're staying this time."

"Do you know how many fan clubs were created for you after you disappeared?"

"My heart can't take this. Designer X actually came back."

"The Queen of Dreamers has returned."

"No. Not queen."

"A legend."

The next morning, 

I was scrolling through the comments, my heart filled with warmth and nostalgia by the forum’s excitement and enthusiasm. Then, my eyes fell on a particular comment.

“Time changes many things. Apparently not the need for attention.” 

It was the only comment under the post that sounded like an attack, and the replies beneath it were immediate.

“Excuse you?? Do you even know who Designer X is?”

“NightThread again… of course it’s you.”

“People have been studying her work for years and you’re here calling it ‘theatrics’?”

“Bold words from someone who hasn’t contributed anything in ages.”

“NightThread, didn’t you also go silent for almost three years?”

“Not you insulting Designer X after disappearing for years yourself.”

I paused on the name.

NightThread.

Of all the voices that returned, this was the one that didn't surprise me.

I let the comment sit there for a while before replying.

“Attention was never the point. And some things don't get the luxury of choice in disappearing.” 

Three years ago, 

I got married out of what I thought was love.

I ended up investing everything into that relationship, and lost touch with everything I used to enjoy,

Including this forum.

After reading and replying to all the comments, I closed my laptop, put it away, and stood up to enter the bathroom.

At that moment, my phone began ringing, with Aiden’s name flashing on the screen.