They say love makes you blind, but I wasn’t blind—I just wanted to believe in him.
Until today.
Standing at the entrance of the studio, gripping the suit I had carefully chosen for Jeremy, I watched the truth unfold under flashing cameras. His hands on her waist, his smile meant only for me, now given so freely to Lolita.
The whispers around me felt like knives. The reality was even sharper.
I wasn’t blind. I was just a fool.
***
Chapter 1
Melody's Pov
I stood still in front of the open door of the shooting studio, my fingers gripping the suit I had bought for Jeremy. My eyes were glued to a scene I shouldn’t have seen—Jeremy, my fiancé, posing intimately with Lolita Vergas, his manager. Camera flashes flickered, capturing their every move and a few unnecessary touches.
The whispers of the crew in front of me slipped into my ears like sharp needles.
"They look so good together."
"Lolita is a perfect match for Jeremy."
"They're always lovey-dovey at every photoshoot. I like to see them."
"I envy Lolita because Jeremy's gaze on her is very sincere. Let's wait until they go public!"
My chest tightened. My heart refused to believe, but my eyes couldn't avoid reality. I saw how Jeremy smiled gently, his hands naturally adjusting Lolita's position; he seemed so comfortable.
I never felt that touch again in the past year. I was only treated as necessary and often ignored because he was tired from working.
I could no longer make a fool of myself. I realized there was a change in attitude. Jeremy was becoming distant and cold, and now I saw clearly what the reason was: that woman, the one who applied for the job as his manager a year ago.
I thought she was a hard worker and a trustworthy person managing Jeremy's work, but it turned out that she preferred to take care of Jeremy in another way.
I felt that our five years together meant nothing to Jeremy. Jeremy had never looked at me that gently, and he often rejected my gaze, but what was happening now?
Were those crew members right? Did they have an affair?
When the photoshoot session ended, instead of going to the dressing room as he should have, Jeremy was still busy with Lolita. He spoke in a low voice, praising her appearance and even complimenting Lolita's makeup, his eyes full of concern as he said that. His hands fixed Lolita's hair several times. I trembled as I stared at that. It hurt and stung to be one.
Lolita let out a chuckle, touching Jeremy's arm in a way a manager shouldn't do with her clients. It was too gentle and soulful. I was a woman; I understood Lolita's gaze toward Jeremy. She liked him.
I bit my lip, holding back the anger that was starting to burn through my heart.
Then Jeremy averted his gaze; he finally noticed my presence. But instead of being surprised or feeling guilty, he seemed annoyed.
"Why are you here? Aren't you waiting in the dressing room?" His voice was sharp. People looked at me like thieves caught red-handed.
I was stunned. I was in the wrong? I was the one who was supposed to wait like his obedient fiancée while he flirted with other women.
Lolita gave me a faint smile, wearing an innocent expression. "I need to change into costumes and talk to the crew for a while." She glanced at me, then just walked away.
The crew, who had been flattering Jeremy and Lolita, were shocked to notice my presence; they hurried away.
I moved closer to Jeremy. I clenched my fists, trembling with emotion. "What are you doing, Jeremy? This is not a job. This is not just a photo session. You know that! Stop your intimacy with Lolita, or everyone will misunderstand!"
Jeremy sighed as if I were the one making a big deal. "Melody, you're overreacting. I'm just filling my spare time with extra photoshoots as a form of gratitude to Lolita. She's helped me a lot. She always says she wants to try modeling; you see for yourself, she's good in that field."
I let out a bitter laugh. "Thank you? What has she done for me? She's already been paid for her work, so what else should I give to her? Yourself?!"
Jeremy's face turned angry. "Watch your words, don't cross the line! Or I'll make you beg for my forgiveness." If I were still considering my feelings as I used to, maybe I would choose to remain silent as he ordered. But now, since I was unable to withstand the turmoil of my deeply hurt heart, I had to defend myself.
"Don't pretend to be holy, Jeremy. I know you lie a lot! Ever since Lolita started working with you, you've changed a lot. You often go off-schedule and do work outside the agreement. Like now, you make her wear expensive dresses and do photoshoots. You've crossed the line!"
Jeremy growled. "Watch your words. You think too far. You've proven that you're jealous of our work relationship. You know nothing about what Lolita is working on; she does everything sincerely. Is it wrong for me to make her wish come true?"
"I was the one who fought for you from scratch, Jeremy. I was the one who stood behind you, lifted your career, and supported you. But instead, you chose to scold me over another woman who admires you! She has only been working for one year; she is just living what I have built with my hard work. What are you doing to comfort me? Have you ever asked me what I want or realized my dreams side by side with you in public?"
Jeremy laughed sarcastically. "You are too proud. Who do you think is paying for your life? You look down on people who have worked hard. The money you enjoy is the result of my hard work—and Lolita also has a hand in it. You are ungrateful! Everyone knows you are my lover; what else do you want? Too many demands make me nauseous!"
I really couldn't believe what I was hearing. Not only was he defending Lolita, but he was also insulting me.
"So now I have to thank you for giving me money while you have fun with another woman in front of me?"
Jeremy moved closer, looking me sharply up and down. "I've had enough. You're always looking for trouble. I don't care if you want to come to the movie gala or not. I'm going with Lolita. Go alone!" He pushed me until I took a few steps back.
Jeremy roughly grabbed his suit jacket and threw his car keys at me without looking at me again.
I froze on the spot as he walked away. He didn't care about me anymore or this relationship.
I tightened my fists. No way was I going to let him come out on top. I was going to show up at the gala. Standing there, I would demonstrate that I wasn't some feeble woman who could be discarded.
As I got into his car, I found another piece of evidence of his betrayal—a pack of condoms and a pair of bikinis that weren't mine.
I swallowed hard. My hands shook as I lifted the small card resting on top of the bikini.
'You look hot in this. Wear it again next week and make sure I feel satisfied like I did yesterday.’
The world around me seemed to crumble. My vision blurred, clouded by tears, itching to fall.
Jeremy was nothing short of a jerk. He was trampling all over my dignity and playing with the vow of loyalty he had promised when things were good between us.
There was no way I could go back to him. I fished my phone from my purse and swiftly typed a message to my mother.
'Mom, I’ve decided to go through with the arranged marriage. I’ll return in a few days.’
I snapped pictures of the evidence of his vile actions. If he believed he could walk all over me, he had another thing coming. This time, I would carve my path.
Determinedly, I started the car engine. I would attend the gala, and I would make sure Jeremy knew that I would never be a woman he could toy with at will. I also wanted to have some clarity on all these discoveries of mine; at least they had to admit their mistakes.
Upon arriving at the gala, it seemed I was early; my eyes searched for Jeremy, but he was nowhere to be found. I approached a crew member to inquire about his whereabouts; he informed me that Jeremy was engaged in a conversation with one of his co-stars regarding the film.
I decided to wait for Jeremy in his dressing room; this matter should be resolved quickly and calmly. I would be gone in a minute, but I still needed clarity.
When I opened the door to the dressing room, I saw Lolita inside. She was smiling while looking in the mirror; she was still wearing the photoshoot dress from earlier. Lolita was trying to put earrings in her ears.
"This dress is simply stunning. Jeremy never makes a poor choice!' Lolita exclaimed
