Chapter 3

Despite being consumed by rage and humiliation, the thought of Denise's dad, Thomas Hawkins' health, and the last shred of dignity this family had forced me to suppress my emotions.

I walked over to Denise one last time.

"Your mom just called to tell me that your dad is having a heart attack, Denise," I said. "You're coming home with me right now. We're done recording this show."

Denise froze for a second before she violently yanked her arm out of my grip and shrilly spat back at me, "Are you ever going to shut up, Ernest? How dare you make up such lies to trick me! My dad is perfectly healthy! Why on earth would he suddenly have a heart attack?

"I think you're just jealous of me. Once I make it big, I'll make more money than you ever could at that pathetic job of yours. You can forget about forcing me to be your housewife forever!"

Seeing his cue, Carl chimed in with a fake sympathetic tone, "That's right, Mr. Quick. How could you let your wife miss out on this chance? Besides, we did sign a contract…"

"Shut up!" I barked and glared at Carl hatefully. All my suppressed fury exploded in that single moment.

"Stop using that fucking contract to threaten me! You think I don't know the law? The breach-of-contract fee is just 30,000 dollars, and I can wire it to you right now. You think I can't afford that?"

Shaken by the viciousness in my eyes, Carl immediately shut his mouth and took a sheepish step back.

But the next second, Denise pointed a finger in my face and went even further off the rails. "Ernest! If you dare stop me from recording today and get in the way of my money, we're getting a divorce!"

My heart completely sank at the word "divorce". The last thread of hesitation and sympathy I had for her vanished, and all I could feel was endless chill.

Denise was actually using our marriage as a bargaining chip to threaten me, all for the sake of a fleeting Internet fame and cheap vanity.

I started laughing, but there wasn't a trace of warmth in my laughter at all. "Fine. Keep recording. I won't stop you anymore."

A triumphant grin broke out across Denise's face. She completely misunderstood my compromise and assumed that I had backed down out of fear of losing her.

When she saw me go quiet, she even gave me a comforting pat on the shoulder and chirped, "That's more like it, babe. Once I'm famous, you'll get to reap the rewards too. Don't worry; I'll make sure you're taken care of!"

Just then, my phone buzzed again with another text from Judith.

"Ernest, please stop Denise from saying another word of nonsense, or I'm afraid she'll literally give her dad a heart attack and kill him.

"Come home as soon as you're done. The family group chat is blowing up over this, and I don't even know how to explain anymore. She's completely disgraced the Hawkins family name!"

I didn't reply. Instead, I slowly looked up and watched as Denise eagerly returned to her seat, completely oblivious to the incoming storm.

"Fine, Denise. You've made your decision, so let's see you burn your life to the ground." I thought.

Magnus took a deep breath, as if he could sense the eerie tension in the room. Still, he stuck to the procedures and continued his guidance.

"Ms. Hawkins, are there any other secrets you've been keeping from your husband?"

Denise tilted her head and thought seriously about it for a few seconds. Then, she let out a dismissive laugh.

"Of course there is. Well, to be honest… I'm actually the one who caused his mom's death."

The air in the recording studio seemed to freeze. It wasn't just me; Magnus was equally shocked.

But Denise just kept talking in a casual tone, "Ernest's mom was sick and hospitalized back then, and all this time, I was the one taking care of her. But one night, Alan suddenly came to me and said he missed me."