บททั้งหมดของ When the Act Ended, So Did the Marriage: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 9

Three years into our marriage, Gavin brought his mistress home. He claimed he had lost his memory, then flaunted their affair right in front of me. And once he had taken credit for all my research findings, he kicked me out of Chapman Pharmaceuticals.While I was packing up my things in the office, Natasha stormed in, knocked the files from my hands, and sent them flying across the floor.She jabbed a finger at me and shouted, "Rhea, how dare you try to steal the company's drug formulation and experimental protocol? Who knows? Maybe you're planning to sell them to our competitors!"But those files contained a protocol I had developed based on years of experimentation since my college years. They were the result of everything I'd poured my life into. How could anyone say I didn't have the right to take what was mine?I turned to Gavin. "So, that's what you think, too?"His cold gaze barely met mine before he gave the slightest nod.My mind went to the pharmaceutical project, which

Gavin, Natasha, and I headed to the courthouse to finalize the divorce.We had barely reached the steps when Gavin suddenly froze. Then, right on cue, he grabbed his head like he'd been hit with some dramatic wave of memory. He staggered a little, then lurched toward me."This place… It feels so familiar. I think it's coming back to me. We got married here, right after college. You wore a white dress. You held my hand and said we'd be together forever. God, you were beautiful back then."He knew exactly what he was doing. That day had been the happiest of my life.He thought a few sentimental lines would stir up my best memories, make me go soft, and maybe even back out of the divorce. That move had always worked on me before.But this time, he didn't know I had heard everything the night he and Natasha were tangled up in that room."Rhea was a genius researcher back in college. The only reason I married her right after graduation was to lock her down. That way, every discovery s

The past few days had been blissfully carefree—just good food, plenty of drinks, and traveling with my closest friends.On the seventh day after leaving Chapman Pharmaceuticals, I headed to the beach, hoping to unwind and clear my head. But as I strolled along the shore, I spotted two painfully familiar figures up ahead.Natasha, in a pristine white wedding gown, clung to Gavin as they posed for a series of romantic wedding shots.I scowled. Of all the people to run into on my one perfect getaway, it had to be them.Just as I turned to walk away, I heard Natasha calling out behind me, "Hey, you! Perfect timing. Come hold my gown for me."I kept walking, pretending I didn't hear a thing."I'm talking to you! Are you deaf?" she shouted, louder this time.I turned around.Natasha gasped, all fake surprise. "Oh my God. Rhea? Seriously? Don't tell me you're here to crash the wedding? I get it, you're obsessed with Gav, but do you really have to ruin our big day?"Gavin stepped in f

Gavin's smile faltered."Come on, I was joking," he said quickly. "You're really going to take it that seriously? I'll make Natasha apologize. Then, we can just move on."Natasha shot back instantly, "Why should I apologize? No way."His voice dropped, laced with warning. "Don't forget who's paying your bills. If the company goes under, that little villa of yours out in the suburbs goes with it."With money hanging over her head, Natasha muttered reluctantly, "Fine. I'm sorry. Hurry up and give Gav's statement to the authorities. I've got a hair appointment after this wedding shoot."Gavin had been incredibly generous with her. He even bought her a damn villa.I still remembered how, right after we graduated, our landlord kicked us out for missing the rent. I had a fever and suggested we crash at a hotel for the night, using my own money. But he snapped at me for being "wasteful"."Your money is my money. And you want to blow it on a hotel? Since when did you become so materiali

The online backlash was getting uglier by the day. Some clueless people attacked me for being Chapman Pharmaceutical's former vice president, and before long, the criticism turned into full-blown personal attacks.I never wanted anything to do with Chapman Pharmaceuticals, but now that it was bleeding into my everyday life, I wasn't about to sit back and take it.I was determined to set the record straight, so I called for a press conference. Standing in front of a sea of cameras, I made it clear I had parted ways with Chapman Pharmaceuticals a long time ago.I firmly stated I had nothing to do with the drug's experimental process and urged the media to stop the harassment once and for all.The press conference was in full swing when Natasha suddenly charged onto the stage, screaming at me in front of everyone."Rhea, you're unbelievable! The second the company's in trouble, you bail. Meanwhile, Gavin's the one facing fines and prison time! You always said you loved him, but the m