Spicing Life Up With Some Agony

After ordering the props I needed, I turned off the screen. Tomorrow I'd be gone from Conrad Lennon's life exactly as planned.

I turned around and suddenly found myself looking into his charming, smiling eyes.

He'd waited outside long enough for the smell of nicotine to fade, then warmed up to the room temperature before carefully slipping his arms around me from behind.

"Why are you still up?" he asked.

Conrad's familiar warmth melted into mine. His arms should have been my refuge, but all I felt was a cold stab of bitterness in my chest.

I'd been his wife for seven years, and he'd spoiled me utterly. Everyone in Jasselton knew how much he lavished me with luxury and indulgence.

He told me he'd fallen for me at first sight when we were kids and had secretly loved me for 14 years.

At our wedding, his eyes had been red with emotion as he vowed that marrying me felt like a dream come true.

Knowing about my past, Conrad used his family's influence to go all-out against Joel Gleason—the man who'd abandoned me—and even sabotaged Jenny's career to get revenge for me.

He said he couldn't stand anyone who'd ever hurt me. He acted so well that even a best actress like me couldn't spot a single false note.

It stung to remember how he'd always murmur "Jean" in those intimate moments, but something about the way he said it never felt right.

I'd brushed it off as just his strange way of pronouncing it. Only now did I realize that bastard had probably been saying "Jen" all along.

I ducked my head and quickly brushed away the tear welling in the corner of my eye.

Conrad didn't seem to notice. "Your so-called 'sister' just won Best Actress. There's an industry party tomorrow, but you should stay home with me instead. No point in going just to get upset over her."

I counted in my head. This had to be at least the 100th time he'd used that excuse to keep me out of the spotlight.

Back then, I told myself it was just his possessiveness. So I gave in helplessly, stepping away at the peak of my career.

Only now did I realize it was never about me. He just wanted to clear the path for Jenny.

"I'm meeting Gideon tomorrow. He wants me for the leading lady in his next film. I can't miss this," I said.

"Don't worry about it. You don't need to go. I've got you covered. Even if you never work another day, I'll always take care of you," he assured.

However, it wasn't about fame or money. I'd told Conrad once that my dream was to star in one of Gideon Zettler's films and to earn that role purely on my talent.

At the time, Conrad kept promising to support me in making it happen. He hadn't forgotten. But Jenny also wanted the lead role, so my dream was destined to become her stepping stone.

Noticing my silence, Conrad said gently, "Jean, don't be childish about this, okay? These parties will always be there. What really matters is the time we have together. Don't you think so?

"The day after tomorrow is our seventh anniversary. I've got a surprise planned you'll never forget. Sounds good?"

I forced a smile. "That's wonderful. And I've got something special for you too."

Conrad and I wouldn't be celebrating any anniversaries after this one.

I'd let him have his little victory.