What the Light Forgets

When Henry Shepherd peeled crab for his young assistant, Tamara Lee, who’d "lost her appetite", everyone at the table glanced awkwardly at me.Just a minute earlier, I’d proudly told the investors, "His hands are insured for millions. He won’t even hold a dinner knife to protect them."To salvage the situation, I downed three shots of whisky in one go. The metallic tang of blood rose in my throat, but I forced it down.Before tensions could ease, Henry announced that he was leaving early to take Tamara to eat what she wanted. He even fought an investor over it.I took the slap meant for him. I paid the compensation.Later, when I reached out to check if his hands were injured, he said coldly, "If you weren’t so money-hungry, fawning over those nouveau riche pigs, she wouldn’t have gone hungry."Stay here. If you come along, you’ll ruin our appetites."Tamara blinked up at me with her doe eyes. "I’m sorry, Mrs. Shepherd. If I’d known Mr. Shepherd would worry, I’d have endur

I was reviewing the management contract on my phone when a WhatsApp voice message from Tamara popped up."So sorry, Mrs. Shepherd," she cooed. "Mr. Shepherd insisted on coming to take care of me. I know I’m delaying his exhibition progress—please don’t blame him!"Her intentions were painfully transparent.Too exhausted to engage, I instead focused on Tamara’s newly changed profile picture. Zooming in, I recognized the hands cradling her hives-flushed face, faint smudges of paint still visible on the fingers.Those hands were unmistakably Henry’s.So he truly did care for her.I closed the image and silently changed my own profile picture—from a wedding photo to a lone bird in flight.On the final day of the exhibition, I stayed backstage to wrap up logistics. By the time I went out front for the group photo, Henry had already stood center-stage with Tamara tucked under his arm.Reporters gushed:"The Shepherds are such relationship goals! Seven years married and still i

Henry was true to his word. His studio no longer had anything to do with me. I had never been his official agent, as I had always managed his career merely as his wife. But soon, I wouldn't even be that.The next day, I went to the office to pack my things. Just as I arrived, I overheard the studio manager trying to persuade Henry."Mr. Shepherd, you were too impulsive yesterday. All these years, it’s been your wife handling everything behind the scenes. “If she really gets upset and refuses to come back, the upcoming exhibition will fall into chaos."Henry snorted through his nose. "She merely basked in my glory. If the exhibitions succeeded, it was all because of my talent."If she doesn’t come, let Tamara take over her work. It’s just menial tasks—anyone can do them."As if remembering something, Henry added, "Tamara isn’t like Rosalind. She’s naive and unwilling to flatter others. Don’t let her attend those banquets."I had originally planned to go in and hand over

For the first time in years, I felt light, unburdened. Even as the plane shuddered through turbulence, I slept deeply, peacefully.Once I landed and cleared customs, I was greeted by the up-and-coming artist, Maxwell Zane, who had come personally to pick me up. Over the past two years, Maxwell had risen to fame not only overseas but also within Azura, with his popularity now rivaling that of Henry. Maxwell was, in fact, the new artist Henry feared most.“Finally! I’ve been waiting for you, Rosalind!” he said enthusiastically, giving me a warm hug and a cheek kiss.Though I knew it was meant as a friendly gesture, I couldn’t help but blush at the intimate gesture. After all, after ten years of knowing Henry, he had grown indifferent to me, so much so that he barely lifted a finger for me anymore. He would often say, “You know, after so many years, we might as well be like brothers. Touching you would just disgust me.”Gradually, it seemed like I was no longer his wife, but j

I stepped away to splash water on my face. When I returned, seven or eight studio invitations for representation lit up my notifications.I politely declined: [I’ve already accepted Mr. Maxwell Zane’s offer.]The comments overflowed with support:[Mr. Zane’s talent paired with your expertise? He’d be unstoppable!][Rumor says Mr. Zane’s prepping for a global tour. With Rosalind onboard, they’ll dominate the industry!][Can we acknowledge how Rosalind’s talent was wasted on Henry Shepherd? She carried that studio, yet he treated her like a tool. Even the assistants sniped at her.][Remember when Tamara Lee messed up that contract? Dropped a zero in the price? The client nearly died!][Rosalind, take me with you! I joined Mr. Shepherd’s studio to learn from you. Now? I have to work with that bitch!][Ugh. That Homewrecker wins? I’m done with love.]The last comment was from my journalist friend who had been at the exhibition after-party.She had stayed and witnessed Henry sha