Free from Actor Husband

I was secretly married to a movie star for five years, and just being photographed having a meal together landed me in the hospital because of the attack caused by his obsessive fans.

While I lay unconscious with broken bones, he was flirting with a young starlet.

I was labeled a clingy woman online, while he quietly crafted a perfect public persona.

He took my role and gave it to the starlet to announce their relationship and create buzz.

He said, "We're just colleagues. You're not a rookie. Can't you understand?"

Later, when I became a hit on a dating show with a popular idol, kissing passionately by the seaside, my ex's eyes turned red with jealousy. He knelt, begging me to come back.

I gasped, "I'm not finished yet. Wait."

1.

On the day of the opening ceremony, as I, wrapped in black clothes and wearing sunglasses, stepped out of the car, insults filled the air around me.

"Wow, dressed like she's from Matrix, does she think she's the superstar?

She tried to stir up rumors with Leon Lawson and got paint thrown on her by fans, even got beaten up. Guess she has learnt her lesson."

The other one added, "Exactly, how could Leon ever be interested in her? No charm, no talent, just a cunning bitch!"

The third one said, "Disgusting. She was so shameless, acting with Leon again. Get out of the entertainment industry, Allison!"

"Yeah, shame on you. Get out!"

I kept my head down and ran away quickly, not daring to meet their eyes.

Last time, Leon's rabid fans attacked me, and I spent a week in the hospital.

Leon, my husband of five years, didn't even show concern. Instead, he blamed me for not being discreet enough, dressing too conspicuously. He thought that was why I got recognized by the paparazzi.

But it was fifth anniversary of our marriage, and I wanted to dress up and went on a date with him!

After the photos were published, a storm of online abuse followed. Leon didn't explain or stand up for me.

I bore the immense pressure of public opinion, enduring the pain to clarify things.

It was my fault for deliberately arranging to meet him, trying to seduce him. He was just humoring me.

We weren't even friends.

Leon remained hidden, maintaining his image as a straightforward, clueless guy, gaining a wave of genuine fans.

When I arrived on set, Leon was intimately chatting with the new starlet, Phyllis Hughes, practically glued together.

Only when they saw me did they reluctantly separate.

"Still upset? Allison, I've told you many times, now isn't the best time to announce our marriage. Just wait a bit longer, "

Leon whispered as he approached.

My nose tingled with emotion. "You're already the best actor this year. Didn't you promise to announce it after winning the award? Why did you fool me again? You have fame and money now. What more do you want?"

"I want you, Allison!

I'm doing all this for you. I want you to marry the best man in the world. I'm not good enough yet. I need to be better to match you!"

Leon looked at me with deep emotion, his words sincere, making me waver. Was he really doing this for me?

The ceremony began, and the lead roles were about to be announced officially.

This was a female-led drama, and I had fought hard for the lead role.

Leon was the director, and I had to beg him to act in it.

He said, "Allison, I'm doing this for you. Otherwise, I wouldn't lower my status."

The director prepared to announce the female lead, When I heard Phyllis's name, I froze and then stopped abruptly.

Phyllis gave me a smug smile and took the microphone to speak.

I was assigned the antagonistic role.

The fans in the audience screamed with excitement.

"This role is tailor-made for Allison! The casting is spot on!"

"Damn, stay away from my idol, or I'll hit you every time I see you. I'll be watching you every day!"

"Needy woman, dining with my idol, practically glued to him. Shame on her."

For five years, my life was filled with such voices every day.

Stalking, insults, even physical attacks.

I didn't dare go out, didn't dare show my face, not even having the right to live a normal life!

After it ended, I walked into Leon's dressing room.

"You know I've been called a pretty face for years and wanted to transform through this drama.

"Why did you suggest the director replace me?" The director told me himself.

Leon lounged lazily on the sofa, smoking a cigarette.

"You have plenty of opportunities. Phyllis is different. She's new, lacks resources. She needs this chance more than you do."

"I'm almost thirty, getting fewer offers. I need resources too. You never help me, I get it. But now you take them away instead? Have you fallen for Phyllis?" Silence fell over the room.

Phyllis had a sweet look, Leon's usual type.

When I debuted, I was known for my sweetness, and Leon pursued me madly.

"How could you think that of me? I'm avoiding suspicion, so you don't get scolded. You insisted on celebrating an anniversary with me, got scolded and beaten. Don't you get it? This is for your sake."

His eyes wandered, clearly lying.

In an instant, I felt utterly pointless.

"Let's divorce, Leon."

2.

Leon laughed, taking my hand to comfort me.

Clearly, he thought I was just throwing a tantrum like before, and a little coaxing would fix it. "I have nothing with Phyllis. Don't be jealous. You are the only one I love."

I remained unmoved.

He chuckled softly, as if making a huge concession.

"How about this, after you finish filming this drama, I'll immediately announce our marriage. Okay?"

"Come on, go home and get a good sleep."

I coldly shook off his hand and left without looking back.

For five years, he used the same trick, a carrot followed by a stick, making me despair and then hopeful, torturing me up and down.

This time, I wouldn't let him control me again.

The next day, filming officially began.

It was a scene with Phyllis, where I, as the villain, would slap her hard. Phyllis came up, sweetly saying, "Allison, don't hold back when you hit me. Don't go easy on me because of my relationship with Leon. He admires my dedication to work. He knew I liked this role and got it for me right away. He's so good to me."

Her voice was loud, making the whole crew hear.

She rolled her eyes and whispered just for me, "Why are you so pathetic? Still clinging to Leon? He's about to announce with me, and you're rushing to be the third wheel? If I were as shameless as you, I'd have left the industry long ago."

Ha, she really had two faces.

"Taking my leftovers and bragging about it? Don't worry, I am not like you, obsessed with trash."

Phyllis's face turned twisted.

But it wasn't enough. Finally, it was time for the slapping scene.

I raised my palm, put strength into my wrist, and slapped hard.

With a smack, Phyllis was stunned.

"Sorry, I hit the left cheek, forgot the camera was on the right. Let's do it again."

Another smack, and Phyllis's mouth was crooked.

"My apology! I missed the target. One more time!"

Phyllis's face turned black with anger.

"Allison, are you deliberate on this?"

In an instant, all the staff turned their eyes towards her.

I sneered inwardly, unable to hold back from exposing her rebellious nature.

"Oh, I really didn't mean it. Besides, aren't you the one who told me to slap hard?

If you're afraid of pain, just say so. There's no need to put on a bold front."

Phyllis's face twitched, leaving her speechless.

For the final slap, I flexed my wrist, gathered all my strength, and swung hard!

Smack! Phyllis's face turned purple, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

"Cut! That was great!" the director said.

When the director finished speaking, Leon jumped in.

"Allison, how could you use this to settle your personal vendetta? How could you become so malicious and envious?"

Seeing Leon arrive, Phyllis immediately leaned into him, tears welling up in her eyes. "Leon, don't blame Allison. It's all for work."

His eyes were full of pity. "For work, you got yourself beaten up like this? This is absurd!"

"I'm fine, Leon. Don't blame Allison. It's my own instruction."

Leon gently nuzzled Phyllis's nose. "You're the kindest. What would you do without my protection?"

"Leon will always protect me, I believe... "

Before she could finish, Phyllis fainted in Leon's arms.

His face changed dramatically as he frantically rushed her to the hospital.

I curled my lips into a smile, though my heart ached with bitterness.

Now that she was hurt, you were not afraid of being photographed, and you have the courage to face the world?

When I was hospitalized with three broken ribs, you were too cowardly to even look at me!

3.

Leon taking Phyllis to the hospital quickly became a trending topic.

"I've never seen Leon so concerned. Phyllis must be the real deal!"

"I love this match! Leon and Phyllis have such chemistry, unlike Allison, old and ugly."

"Allison is disgusting! I heard she hit Phyllis on purpose!"

Some were shipping the couple, some were worried about Phyllis's injuries.

But most were cursing me.

Calling me shameless, wishing I'd get hit by a car, saying I was not human, only an animal.

I smiled indifferently. Over the years, I'd heard such words countless times.

I returned to the hotel and started packing.

I decided to quit the shoot, even if it meant paying a penalty. I didn't want to see Leon again.

As I stepped out of the hotel room with my suitcase, Leon grabbed my hand.

"Where are you going?"

I chuckled, meeting his gaze. "What's it to you? Shouldn't you be at the hospital? What, now you care?"

Leon looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, I was too anxious today and took it out on you."

"Heh, being anxious is understandable. After all, Phyllis is the one you love."

Leon grew agitated, trying to embrace me.

"I'm doing this for you too. You hit her like that, and I had to clean up your mess. It hurts me that you think of me this way."

I impatiently pushed him away. "Get lost!"

Leon didn't follow. He still thought I was just angry, throwing a tantrum, and would come running back to him once I cooled down.

What a joke.

I returned to the apartment where we first lived.

It was small but filled with happy memories.

The walls were covered with photos of us, each one showing me smiling brightly.

Leon used to capture me beautifully.

Now, he wouldn't even bother to pick up a camera for me.

Back then, we were just small-time actors.

He loved me dearly, staying home to cook delicious meals when he wasn't filming.

If I were wronged on set, he'd rush to fight for me, coming back with bruises but smiling foolishly, saying it was worthwhile.

He nurtured my lonely heart with genuine care, making the flower of love blossom.

Later, he gained fame and burdens, and distance grew between us.

He moved out to a bigger, better villa, finding this place too small, too old.

Now, it was a stain he didn't want to even mention.

How could a movie star ever have lived in a place like this?

My sincere heart was shattered by him time and again, ground to dust until it vanished.

I packed away everything related to him and called for a service to dispose of it all.

They would burn it clean.

Suddenly, a message popped up on my phone.

A friend urged me to check the trending topics.

#Leon

#Leon&Phyllis

Leon had finally posted on X after a long time, "This is the person I want to protect." A photo of two hands tightly clasped accompanied.

Though the faces weren't shown, everyone knew it was Phyllis.

Not long after, Phyllis responded, "For the rest of my life."

Along with a picture she took of Leon asleep by her hospital bed, exhausted. I put down my phone, feeling a deep, cold sorrow.

Leon claimed it was for my sake, hiding our relationship from the public.

Yet he announced his relationship with a woman he'd known for less than a month!

There was no concept of honesty to someone who was shameless!

That night, I immediately hired a lawyer to draft a divorce agreement.

4.

The next morning, I drove to Leon's house.

Seeing me, he was flustered, quickly pulling me inside.

"Why aren't you wearing a mask? What if the paparazzi catch you?"

I laughed. "You've already announced your relationship with Phyllis, so what are you afraid of? Even if they see my face, they'll just call me a homewrecker. Who are you trying to fool?"

Leon looked troubled. "I had no choice. Because you hit Phyllis, we got photographed. Now the company wants us to fake a relationship for publicity. I can't help it. Once the show is over, we'll announce a breakup. It's just a PR move. You're in this industry too, I believe you can understand, Allison."

Heh, blaming everything on me. He must have planned this all along.

I pushed him aside. "Do whatever you want. I don't care. I'm here for Mimi, so don't block my way."

Mimi was the little cat Leon gave me. Strangely, she usually ran to me as soon as I appeared.

I went upstairs and found Mimi lying weakly by the bedroom door, her tail half torn off, blood and flesh visible.

Phyllis stood nearby, looking innocent.

I quickly picked up the injured Mimi.

"Phyllis, what's wrong with you? Why take it out on my cat?"

Her eyes welled up, and she hurriedly hid behind Leon. "Leon, I just woke up, and the cat jumped on the bed and bit me. I was so scared, I accidentally stepped on it. I didn't mean to."

Leon frowned, looking at me with impatience.

"It's just an animal. I'll buy you another one. Why are you blaming Phyllis? You scared her!" Last time you hit her, she didn't hold a grudge and even wanted to apologize to you. Not everyone is as vicious as you!"

"Vicious? Mimi isn't just an animal to me; she's family! When I was hurt, she was the only one by my side. Where were you when I needed you most? On a sweet date with her? Or in a meeting discussing how to distance yourself from me?

Leon, you disgust me. The divorce papers are by the door. Find a time to sign them."