Gabes parents praised his public lover as their future daughter-in-law, and called me their goddaughter,.
When I questioned the humiliation, Gabe defended them, told me to learn from Serena.
That was the moment I understood: in this family, my dignity was never worth anything to them.
So I wiped the burn, looked him in the eye, and delivered the only line he never saw coming
If shes the one you value, then let her be your wife. Im done.
Before our marriage, I signed a prenuptial confidentiality agreement, agreeing to remain the hidden wife of an Academy Award Winner. If I ever initiated a divorce, Id walk away with only 0-08.80 in compensation.
For three years of marriage, Ive watched him flaunt his so-called “Publicity Stunt Pairing” with that colleague. Theyve traveled together, attended events as a couple, and even been photographed entering private hotels arm in arm.
Meanwhile, as his perfect housewife, Ive been stuck caring for his bedridden parents and working as his assistantwashing his clothes, cooking his meals, and putting up with his excuses.
I didnt realize how far this charade would go until one night, when his Shining Star called, whining about fans begging them to marry.
When are you going to make me your wife? she pouted.
He replied softly, Dont worry, darling. Ill give you the wedding of the century soon. Promise.
The cold wind sweeping in from the balcony carried the sound of Gabe Whitmores voice. His words made my body stiffen under the blankets, my throat tightening until I could barely breathe.
On the other end of the call, Serena Sterlings tearful plea was unmistakable. Gabe, everyones looking forward to our wedding. I cant wait anymore. Please, hurry up and marry me!
Standing on the balcony, his features softened under the dim light as he coaxed her like she was made of glass. Dont worry, sweetheart. I wont let you down.
Even in the dead of night, being interrupted didnt bother him. Talking to his delicate “White Moonlight” seemed to be a labor of love.
When Gabe returned to the bedroom, there was still a trace of a smile in his eyes. But the moment he saw me sitting on the edge of the bed, his expression darkened.
Alexis, what are you doing sitting there in the middle of the night? Are you trying to scare me to death?
I swallowed my bitterness and forced a smile. What about you? How does it feel, sweet-talking your lover at this hour?
Lover? Dont be ridiculous, Gabe snapped, irritation flickering in his eyes. What I have with Serena is strictly for the fans. Dont disrespect her with such vile accusations.
The audacity of his response made my voice tremble. Disrespect? Tell me, Gabe, what respectable colleague couple in the industry plans a wedding?
His jaw clenched, and he averted his gaze. You heard that?
Rubbing the back of his neck, he muttered, I dont have a choice. The fans demand it. Serena and I have fans all over the world. If we dont finish the act, itd be a slap in the face to her efforts.
Efforts? My chest tightened with sharp, numbing pain. My body trembled as though it had a mind of its own.
For three years, I had to watch the world treat them as the perfect couple. I had to watch them flaunt their love in front of cameras, smiling, holding hands. All while I, Gabe Whitmores real wife, was kept hidden like some dirty little secret.
Yet he felt guilty about letting Serena down? What about me? What about the years I spent swallowing my pride and staying silent?
Alexis, Gabe began, his tone turning righteous, this is my career. You know that. Just bear with it a little longer, okay? Everything I do is for the job.
He always justified it this way. Every scripted kiss, every public display of affectionit was all work. For a long time, I believed him.
Until a friend sent me pictures of him and Serena entering a private hotel suite together just two nights ago.
Now, his work involved planning a wedding so grand it would shock the world.
Meanwhile, when we married, there wasnt even a ceremony.
My voice cracked as I struggled to speak. Gabe, Serena is just a colleague, right? Youre giving her the wedding of the century. What about me? Im your wife. Did I ever get a wedding?
When we tied the knot, Gabe was still a struggling extra, scraping by on bit parts. His parents were so paranoid I was only marrying him for his money that they treated me with disdain from the start.
To ease their fears, I signed that ridiculous confidentiality agreement, even agreeing not to have a wedding.
Gabe swore to my parents, Once Ive made it big, Ill give Alexis the wedding she deserves.
But even after he became an Academy Award Winner, he never brought it up again.
The one time I hinted that we could have a small ceremony with just family, he waved it off, saying, Works too busy. Maybe later.
But now? Serenas single phone call was all it took for him to agree.
I mustve seemed unreasonable to him because his tone grew sharp with irritation. Alexis, Ive explained this a thousand times. Why cant you understand? Serena and I are a global sensation. I cant just walk away.
Cant you wait a little longer?
I didnt answer.
The night stretched on, cold and cutting. Looking at the impatience on his face, I suddenly realized how exhausted I was. I didnt want to wait anymore.
Alexis, Serena and I have a plan, Gabe said, his voice coaxing as if he were talking to a child. Well announce a peaceful breakup after the wedding. At most, another year, and Ill tell the world youre my wife.
This is all for usfor our future. Cant you see that?
The sheer absurdity of his words made me laugh.
I was already his wife, in name and in law. But here I was, hidden in the shadows, waiting for my husband to give me what was already mine.
Meanwhile, for Serena, he made everything easy.
When they first began their “Publicity Stunt Pairing,” she was just a rookie actress. The backlash from his fans was immediate, with waves of online harassment aimed at her.
So Gabe played the role of the protective boyfriend, suing anyone who dared insult her.
At a gala, when reporters pried into their relationship, he didnt even deny it. Instead, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her in front of the flashing cameras.
The room erupted with applause.
And me? I was sitting in the audience, watching my husband kiss another woman, disguised as his assistant.
He later explained it away as part of the script, something the company had arranged.
But the “script” became their lives. Public outings, shared vacations, even private gatherings with friendsthey were inseparable. He didnt even bother bringing me along anymore.
Eventually, even our mutual friends believed they were perfect for each other.
Tears burned in my eyes, but Gabe brushed them aside with his typical indifference. Dont listen to them, Alexis. Youre my wife. What others think doesnt matter.
Then, as if to prove his devotion, he leaned in to kiss my forehead, gazing at me with those deep, expressive eyes that had fooled me countless times before.
But this time, I didnt budge.
Lets sleep, I said, pulling the blanket over my head.
I felt him hesitate. Then, he sighed and lay beside me, draping an arm around me.
The cold glint of our wedding rings briefly caught the dim light before fading back into darkness.
It was only then that I truly realized how far I had fallen.
The next morning, as I was waking up, Gabe Whitmore called. Dont let your temper stop you from visiting the nursing home today to look after my parents, he said bluntly.
Gabe prided himself on being a dutiful son. Even though Gerald and Dolores Whitmore were living in the best care facility money could buy, his mantra was, Children should personally care for their parents.
Okay, I replied dully and hung up. Then, like clockwork, I headed to Golden Horizon Care Center.
As I stepped into the room with a pot of freshly made chicken soup, Doloress voice rang out, giddy with pride. Oh, Natalie, isnt Serena just stunning? Shell be my daughter-in-law soon! She gestured at the television where Serena Sterlings face filled the screen.
The young nurse, Natalie Parker, lit up with excitement. Theyre really getting married?
Of course! Gerald and Dolores replied in unison, beaming.
My steps faltered. A sharp pang shot through my chest, but I swallowed the bitterness and spoke softly, Dad, Mom.
The moment my voice registered, their smiles vanished, replaced by cold indifference.
Natalie turned to me, confused. And this lady whos here every day is?
Shes our goddaughter, Dolores interrupted without missing a beat.
Natalie nodded, her misunderstanding cemented. Wow, Im so jealous! Youre so lucky to be part of Gabes family. Must be amazing to be his sister!
I forced a stiff smile but felt no joy. When Natalie left, Doloress tone turned sharp. Alexis, must you sneak in here unannounced? Trying to scare us to death?
I held back my frustration. You looked so happy chatting. I didnt want to interrupt.
Setting the chicken soup on the table, I said, I made this for you. Please give it a try.
The moment Gerald lifted the bowl to his nose, he sneered and threw it onto the floor. Scalding liquid splashed onto my hand, making me flinch in pain as tears stung my eyes.
What is this? It tastes awful! Alexis, you cant even cook properly. What good are you? Dolores scoffed.
Ill make it again, I murmured, suppressing my anger while cleaning the mess.
A crushing sense of futility enveloped me. Three years of unyielding devotion felt utterly wasted.
After finishing their massages, I prepared to leave but decided to ask one last question, holding onto a sliver of hope. Did you know? Gabes planning a wedding with Serena.
Really? Doloress face lit up, her excitement matching Geralds.
Thats wonderful! they exclaimed, nearly bursting with joy.
I expected the blow, but the ache still seeped into my chest. But Im his wife, I whispered, forcing a smile.
Geralds face twisted into a sneer. Dont push your luck. We never wanted you to marry him in the first place. Youve been sucking him dry for years. You should know when to let go.
Dolores chimed in, her voice dripping with disdain. Exactly. Stop clinging to Gabe like some parasite.
Parasite?
I shouldnt have been surprised by their cruelty, but hearing it out loud sent a tremor through my body. For three years, I had never asked Gabe for a dime, nor had he spent anything on me. I paid for my own expenses and cared for his parents selflessly.
And yet, this was the label I earned.
It hit me then. Gabes cold heart wasnt a flukeit was inherited. Three years of devotion couldnt thaw them, nor could it change him.
As their scolding and demands to fetch a bedpan continued, I turned on my heel and walked out without a word.
Outside, the sun was starting to break through the clouds. I took a deep breath and made a call. Hello? Do you have time? Ive made my decision.
When I returned home, the living room lights were already on. Gabe was sitting on the couch, radiating anger.
Before I could speak, he leaped up and stormed toward me, his voice rising. What the hell was that, Alexis? Ive been trying to make peace, and you show up at my parents place just to throw a tantrum?
I couldnt help but laugh at the absurdity. I made them soup, Gabe. They didnt even taste it before throwing it on the floor. They have an entire staff of caregivers, yet they still expect me to clean up after them.
As your wife, I dont even rank as high as a housekeeper.
Gabe frowned, exasperated. Theyre old, Alexis. Theyre bound to be emotional. They trust you, thats why they rely on you.
Trust me? I spat, disgusted. They trust you the most. So why dont you handle your own parents bodily fluids?
In three years, Gabe had barely visited the nursing home. His excuse? Work kept him too busy. The truth? He couldnt stomach the indignity of his parents failing health, so he passed the responsibility onto me. And because I loved him, I accepted it.
But my sacrifices were taken for granted.
How dare you talk to me like that? Gabe snarled, his temper boiling over. He slammed the coffee table so hard that the pot of boiling water spilled.
The scalding liquid seared my hand, leaving a large, blistering welt. My body trembled from the searing pain.
Maybe now youll learn to keep quiet, Gabe said, satisfaction flickering in his eyes as he loomed closer. Cant you learn something from Serena? Shes gentle, understanding. Why cant you stop picking fights?
Every sentence dripped with Serenas name. Always Serena.
Clenching my jaw, I stood despite the pain and laughed bitterly. If you love Serena so much, then marry her.
Alexis! Gabes face turned crimson, his voice shaking with rage. Say that again, and Ill divorce you.
This was exactly what I had been waiting for.
Meeting his gaze, I responded firmly, Good. Lets get a divorce.
For a moment, he froze, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger. Youre serious? he asked hoarsely.
Yes.
His reaction grew frantic. Alexis, are you insane? You know the agreement. If youre the one to file for divorce, youll only get 0-08.80.
That clause had always been his safety net. It never occurred to him that I might leave.
Without hesitation, I pulled out my phone and held up my payment app. Send me 0-08.80, and Ill sign the papers right now. Ill even throw in a parting gift.
Gabes face went ghostly pale.
Gabe Whitmore never imagined that AAlexisndra “Alexis” Hawthorne, his once-docile and compliant wife, would one day stand so resolutely on the path to divorce.
As he looked into her furious eyes, a strange ache pierced his chest, numbing him. He forced himself to calm down and think.
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