Parting Ways

After watching my award-winning husband’s movie—the one with the B-list starlet—I accepted an invitation to a divorce reality show. My best friend, Kate, clapped me on the shoulder, her usual boisterous self. “Another publicity stunt for Kevin’s new film? You really go all out!” Everyone assumed this was just another one of our ten-year-long, picture-perfect celebrity couple’s quirky ways, eagerly rooting for us to reconcile. Kevin, a man of few words and even fewer romantic gestures, painstakingly and clumsily prepared surprises for me. Yet, no matter how hard he tried to win me over, at the end of each episode, I chose to “proceed with divorce.” Even the audience grew impatient, claiming I didn’t deserve him. Then, in the final episode, seeing my unwavering determination, his eyes reddened. He dropped to his knees before me. “Mia, I’ve never done anything to betray you. Why can’t you give me another chance?” I smiled. “Alright, I’ll give you three more chances.” “Three questions. If you answer even one correctly, I’ll stop talking about divorce.” Everyone sighed in relief, including Kevin himself. After all, when it came to understanding me, Kevin was second to none. No one dared claim the top spot. But after I asked the first question, everyone was dumbfounded. 1 “In the third year of our marriage, my taste suddenly changed.” “That year, what was my favorite fruit?” Hearing the question, the tense audience also let out a collective sigh of relief. Kevin, too, looked relieved, even flashing me a confident smile. “Mia, that’s too easy. How about something more challenging?” I shook my head, writing my answer for the host. “Just this one.” Kevin’s pen flew across the card, finishing his answer in less than two seconds. When the answer card was flipped to reveal “apples,” everyone relaxed. The observation guest in the studio, Elara Vance, a strong contender for this year’s Best Actress award, chuckled. “It seems Ms. Evans is just having a tantrum with Kevin. Even if she picks divorce every episode, she’s still thinking of him deep down.” “You two really are something, treating us and the audience like part of your little game, aren’t you?” I ignored her ambiguous barb, simply watching the supremely confident Kevin. “Are you sure that’s your answer?” Kevin hooked his lips into a smile, leaning back slightly, all prior tension gone. “Mia, sometimes we barely had enough for food, yet you’d rather skip groceries to buy apples. What else could it be if not that you loved them?” “We even argued about it back then.” “Besides, anything about you, it’s hard for me to forget.” When his expressive, charming eyes gazed at me intently, the entire studio erupted in deafening screams. I, however, stared at those eyes I once adored, saying nothing, simply turning my gaze slowly to the host. The host, who had been engrossed in the celebrity drama, gave an embarrassed smile, quickly pulling out her cue card, ready to announce Kevin’s “victory.” But after seeing the answer on the card, her face froze, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. “Mr. Gatsby, you…” “You’re wrong.” 2 In an instant, the entire studio fell so silent that every breath was audible. The smile on Kevin’s lips stiffened, but he had faced countless grand stages and quickly regained his composure. “Mia, you’re not doing this on purpose, are you?” “I remember photos of you buying apples even went viral back then. Fans even nicknamed you ‘Apple Goddess.’” “Besides, you were cutting apples every day at home, the whole house smelled of apples. How could I possibly be wrong?” In the audience, Kevin’s biggest fan interjected, “That’s right! You even said in an interview that you were really interested in fruit tree cultivation and wanted to try growing apple trees yourself. What else could that be but love?” “Ms. Evans, you’ve already made things very difficult for Kevin in previous episodes. Can you please stop pushing it?” I ignored their aggressive questioning, instead asking calmly, “Kevin, do you remember what happened that year?” Kevin sneered. “Of course, I remember.” “At the time, I had offended some people and was practically blacklisted by the film industry. If it weren’t for you, Mia, standing by me and encouraging me, I might not have had the chance to make my comeback.” “So I can’t understand why, after we’ve been through such difficult times together, you now want to go our separate ways?” His eyes were deep, revealing an unspoken sadness that Kevin’s biggest fan in the audience frantically captured with her camera. But I calmly stated, “Yes, because of some incident, you offended a major director and couldn’t get a role for half a year.” “Until a small-budget period art film found you, asking you to play a mute apple farmer who falls in love with a city girl, only to be abandoned by her.” “That film is hard to find now, but that role truly helped you make a comeback.” “It was precisely because of that niche art film’s decent reception that you were able to return to the big screen, making the movie that made you famous to this day. Do you remember all of this?” The more I spoke, my voice grew softer, the carefully hidden sadness slowly revealing itself. But Kevin remained confused. “What does this have to do with your question?” I looked up at this man who claimed to know everything about me but had forgotten so much, and gave a bitter laugh. “Did you forget that when that film first approached you, you initially didn’t want it?” “You didn’t want to stoop to playing a country bumpkin, and even wanted to flat-out reject the script.” “It was I who insisted, buying apples and saplings every day, researching how to grow trees in the yard, studying the differences between various types of apples, and writing piles of notes.” “Those notes ultimately became the nourishment for your character. It was I who suffered in the wind and sun, but in the end, it was you who achieved fame and success!” Years of deep resentment made me almost want to roar, but my reason still suppressed the pain. Yet Kevin ignored my grief and indignation, stating with abnormal calmness, “So, what was your favorite fruit?” I looked up at him, at his familiar habit of lightly dismissing my pain, and calmly said, “Green mandarins.” Hearing this answer, Kevin suddenly laughed. Even Elara, observing from the side, couldn’t help but say, “Ms. Evans, it’s well-known that you don’t like sour things.” “Even if you feel you contributed a lot to Kevin back then and now want it back, there’s no need to contradict yourself and lie, is there?” All eyes in the room fixed on me, but I felt no pressure whatsoever. I merely stated calmly, “Yes, what reason could have made me change my taste back then?” I looked at Kevin, only to notice a subtle hint of guilt in his eyes. I smiled, no longer looking at him, but suddenly turned to Elara, who had been attacking me. “Because back then, I was pregnant.” 3 Under the shocked gazes of everyone, Kevin shifted uncomfortably. He clearly hadn’t expected me to reveal this. His voice was frantic and bewildered. “Mia, you never told me…” “Second question.” I coldly interrupted his inquiry. “What is my favorite movie?” This question was a bit more challenging. After all, in public interviews, my answer to this question was always different. But they all had one thing in common: Kevin’s “next movie.” After his successful comeback, he didn’t initially make much of a splash. It was I who, at the cost of my own public appeal, repeatedly promoted him in interviews, using every possible adjective to praise his films, reigniting public curiosity about him. Later, a fan’s camera accidentally caught him visiting me on set. Despite his distinguished background and glamorous public image, he didn’t hesitate to eat my leftovers after I handed him my bowl. After the video went viral, Kevin quickly became a well-known “good man” in the entertainment industry. Suddenly, various roles of devoted husbands came his way, including critically acclaimed works by famous directors. But he politely declined them all, with one single reason: “Mia gets jealous.” So, in the public’s mind, I became a lovesick and overly jealous wife, while he, full of talent, was forced to miss out on many great opportunities because of his love for me. Remembering everything from the past, I gave a self-mocking smile, quietly watching Kevin, wondering what his answer would be. “Roman Holiday.” Kevin was utterly confident. “Mia, I am absolutely right about this one. I read your diary.” “You wrote that you and I were like the protagonists of Roman Holiday, just in reverse.” “You also said it was your favorite movie and your least favorite ending.” “I’ve always wanted to tell you that we would never be separated like the characters in that movie. I’ve always shown you through my actions that status and wealth are illusions; our love can always overcome everything.” “But why, why won’t you just give me a chance?” He suddenly covered his face with his hands. The man who was never willing to show weakness in public now looked incredibly fragile, down to every strand of his hair. But I calmly watched him, then slowly said, “You’re right, that was indeed my favorite movie.” Kevin suddenly lifted his head, his previously mournful eyes instantly filled with joy. “But that was only in the past.” “Now, my favorite is The Chrysalis.” Upon hearing those two words, the surprise in Kevin’s eyes was instantly replaced by guilt. And in that moment, everyone’s gaze shot directly to Elara Vance, seated in the guest section. After all, it was well-known that The Chrysalis depicted my love story with Kevin. But the leading roles were played by Kevin and Elara. 4 “Ms. Evans, what do you mean?” Elara instantly rose from her seat, a hint of exasperation in her voice. “Kevin and I are just professional colleagues. There’s no need to drag me into your marital issues, is there?” “Besides, you were the one who pulled out due to health reasons, and the production team had no choice but to bring me in as a last-minute replacement.” “I’ve already faced enough controversy because of that film. If you’re still so bothered, I think you’d best keep Mr. Gatsby at home and nowhere else, otherwise, if he so much as steps out and encounters a woman, you’ll probably die of anxiety!” The audience buzzed with murmurs, and even the live stream comments overwhelmingly supported Elara. “Seriously, is Mia Evans sick? She’s even being petty towards an actress who’s just professionally collaborating with her husband?” “Poor Actor Gatsby, to fall for such an incredibly jealous woman. It’s love, otherwise he would have divorced her already.” “Why can’t good men and good women ever get together? I actually liked Kevin and Elara’s dynamic when I watched The Chrysalis, too bad Actor Gatsby got married young, sigh.” “Just get divorced already, it’s exhausting to watch. What kind of man can handle a diva like Mia Evans?” The audience was abuzz, and Elara on stage was seething. If the staff hadn’t restrained her, she would have stormed off the set. Kevin, meanwhile, looked utterly drained by my antics, yet still tried hard to maintain a gentle demeanor. “Mia, let’s not involve others in our private matters, okay?” “I don’t want to divorce you, but I’m truly exhausted. I’ve shown you my phone, and I even meticulously list every expense for you to scrutinize.” “If I’ve done all this and you still refuse to believe my innocence, I have nothing left to say.” I couldn’t be bothered to respond. “Second question, you answered incorrectly.” “So, the final question.” “Host, I request a break!” Elara angrily interrupted me, but I didn’t comply with her wish. Instead, I kept my gaze fixed on Kevin’s eyes. “What is the most memorable anniversary gift I’ve ever received?” After getting the director’s approval, the host smiled and came to pull me away, trying to lighten the mood. “Ms. Evans, filming is paused. The next question will be addressed in the second half.” “I’m sure you’re tired too. Why don’t you take this opportunity to rest properly…” “It was the fireworks display I arranged for you last year,” Kevin quickly interjected. “Yes, and no,” I promptly replied. Kevin, enraged, scoffed. “Stop tormenting me. So tell me, what’s wrong with it?” A desolate smile curved my lips, and the tears in my eyes, no longer controllable, spilled over. “Kevin, do you really not know?” I suddenly stripped off my evening gown. The moment everyone saw the full extent of my skin, a collective gasp swept through the room. 5 Seeing that everyone had a clear view, I immediately put my clothes back on, said no more, and prepared to leave for my break. I knew my objective had been achieved. Once this episode aired, no matter what, Kevin would not refuse my divorce request. But as I was about to leave, Kevin grabbed my arm. He wept, holding me tightly from behind, his voice trembling like a child who had lost a beloved toy. “No, Mia, you never told me about this.” “I always thought you were just angry with me then, that’s why you ignored me for months. I didn’t know you would…” A few years ago, hearing his humble and remorseful confession, I would have been so moved that I would have forgiven him on the spot. But now, I simply freed myself from his embrace, stating calmly, “Enough, Kevin.” “Your acting is truly excellent, but I’m not your leading lady. You don’t need to put on a show for me here.” “I’ll see you at the Registry Office in a week. If you refuse to divorce, I will explain the answers to the remaining two questions to the audience, one by one.” “You wouldn’t want your career to be ruined, would you?” Feeling the hand pulling me from behind loosen, I left the studio without looking back and entered the lounge. But no sooner had I sat down than the door was pushed open. I thought it was Kevin, relentlessly pursuing, trying to continue his pleas and gestures of goodwill. But when I turned, what I saw was Elara Vance’s face, a face that had, countless times, filled me with such loathing that I wished to destroy us both. Seeing my continued composure, she sneered, her sharp red nails seeming to dig into her flesh. I expected her to continue with threats or veiled insults. But the first words out of her mouth after entering were, surprisingly, tinged with suppressed anger. “Name your price.”

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