Why Did You Leave Me"

The TV hit, adapted from my love story with movie star Everett Black, soared in popularityuntil a young actress posted a late-night tribute detailing her sweet daily life with him. Her closing line: For six months on set, he prepared a gift for me every day.

Everett smiled fondly in an interview: Shes my leading lady. Im happy to do it.

The internet erupted. The heroine in the show is so pitifulalmost assaulted, even betrayed by her father. It breaks my heart! The male lead saves her on screen, and the actor dotes on his co-star off screen too!

No one knew the heroines suffering mirrored my own past. The year Everett saved me from assault, he held me tight and vowed, From now on, I will protect you.Now, those words were just scripted lines replayed by fans, and my once-savior had become someone elses leading man.

Staring at the screen, my heart felt torn open. When my mother called, I swallowed a sob.

Mom, I said, I agree to the arranged marriage.

Seven years of waitingI finally let it go.

The video went viral, and even people from the film crew jumped into the comments:

Im a crew member, and Everett knows exactly what Joanna likes. Theyre sickeningly sweet!

Everetts rumored girlfriend, who else could it be but her?

Just then, the time on my phone screen ticked to midnight, and my alarm went off. Yesterday was my birthday. Everett had smiled at me a week ago, saying:

Ill definitely finish work early this time and come back to celebrate your birthday with you.

But he forgot again.

The sound of a key turning in the lock came from outside the doorEverett was back. My gaze involuntarily drifted towards the entryway. He tossed his jacket onto the hanger. When his eyes swept over the cake on the table, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

I was very busy today. Birthdays come every year; its fine to miss one.

That tiny spark of expectation in my heart was shattered by his words. I still couldnt help but ask:

Then what about my birthday gift? You clearly said youd prepare it for me in advance.

Everett clicked his tongue in annoyance, pulled out his phone, and tapped a few times casually.

I transferred you five thousand. Buy whatever you want. Its just a birthday, I dont have that much time.

A wave of bitterness washed over me, and my eyes welled up. It was that line again. Yet, yesterdays entertainment headlines still read: Everett Black loses millions in endorsements just to make time for dinner with Joanna Meng.

In the past, I would have already argued with him. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice calm.

Theres really no need for a birthday. And theres no need for us to be together anymore.

Everett froze for half a second, as if he hadnt registered it, and instinctively asked:

What do you mean?

He showed no concern that I might actually break up with him, but rather irritation, as if I were being unreasonable. The last ripple of feeling I had for him completely dissipated at that moment. His brow furrowed, his voice turning cold.

Just because I forgot to buy you a gift? Didnt I give you money? Cant you buy it yourself? Fine, if you insist on making a scene, go ahead. Dont expect me to come looking for you this time.

A bitter laugh escaped me. When had he ever humbled himself first? Every time we argued because of Joanna, I was always the one who gave in. But not this time. I stood up, casually tossing the cake into the trash, and turned to go back to my room.

From outside, I heard Everett on the phone.

Is anyone suspecting Joanna and me? Then lets announce publicly that shes my rumored girlfriend. Dont worry, she wont make a fuss.

She referred to me. Tears involuntarily slid down, bitter when they reached my lips. He used to say:

You are my only girlfriend. One day, I will stand before everyone and firmly take your hand.

But now, he was making an official announcement about another girl. I messaged my mother:

The arranged marriage you mentioned last time, I agree.

The next morning, I dragged my suitcase and slid out the door. Everett saw the suitcase in my hand, his brows furrowing sharply.

Where are you going?

I didnt look at him, just replied calmly:

Im staying at a hotel for two days.

Everett stared at me, as if trying to see through me, then suddenly scoffed.

Selene, youre just jealous because you saw Joanna and me filming together. I already told you Joanna is just a colleague; youre my girlfriend. Stop overthinking things.

He slowly stood up, reaching out to pull me, but I subtly shifted to avoid him. His hand hung in mid-air, his face instantly darkening.

Getting bold now, are we? If you step one foot out that door today, dont even think about coming back.

I ignored him, unlocked the door, and walked straight out with my suitcase. A loud crash echoed from behind, like a glass breaking on the floor. I didnt stop.

Taking a taxi, booking a hotel, checking in C by the time everything was arranged, it was already afternoon. My phone vibrated. It was a message from the director. Tonight was the celebration party for the show topping the charts, and he invited me, the original author, to attend. He was a good friend of my mothers, so I couldn't refuse.

As I reached the private room door, I heard cheers from inside.

Everett and Joanna have been together since college, they were each others first loves!

My hand, about to push open the door, froze. Everetts girlfriend from college was Joanna?

Everett and I met at the orphanage. That year, when I was seventeen, my mother took me home. When I reunited with Everett, all I knew was that he had a girlfriend in college whom he loved but couldn't have. Joanna put on a coy act.

Oh, you guys, stop spreading rumors! Everett has a girlfriend, what if she misunderstands?

The moment she finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter.

Everett doesnt have a girlfriend! Weve all seen it clearly this past half-year, his heart only has room for you!

I also heard that Everett specifically requested Joanna to be the female lead in this show!

I stood there stunned, my heart feeling like it was being fiercely squeezed. When my mother gave the director the novel I wrote, he immediately decided to film it. As for Joanna, she clearly didnt fit the female leads character at all. I always thought it was the directors decision. It was Everett.

I looked at him. He was gazing at Joanna indulgently, silently confirming it. Joannas gaze swept around the room, then suddenly landed on me.

Oh dear, whos standing at the door? I thought it was some beggar, you startled me.

Seeing me, Everett frowned slightly, hesitating for two seconds before looking at Joanna beside him.

An old friend I knew. She probably saw me passing by and came over to say hello.

Joannas lips slowly curled into a meaningful smile. She deliberately raised her voice.

Oh, I remember her. That day, Everett specially drove halfway across the city to buy me bubble tea, and she was standing in the shade of a tree diagonally across from the tea shop, staring at us for a long time. Her eyes were red like a rabbits, almost crying. What? You like Everett?

A female assistant with a bun suddenly spoke up.

I remember now! That was the day Joanna misunderstood and got a little mad at Everett. Everett later explained that she was a girl whose father abandoned her at an orphanage, and who tried to get into her teachers bed in middle school.

Another grip looked at me, shaking his head and clucking.

Cant believe she looks so innocent but is so promiscuous behind the scenes? She really is an uncultured person without parents to teach her. No wonder she dared to come here, trying the same old tricks to cling to Everett?

At these words, the surroundings instantly fell silent for a few seconds, and their gazes at me were filled with undisguised contempt.

I stood frozen, my thoughts involuntarily drifting back to junior high that year. My homeroom teacher, under the guise of tutoring, tricked me into his home. Later, Everett sensed something was wrong, kicked open the door, and rescued me. But ever since then, rumors spread rapidly, saying I actively seduced the teacher, saying I was promiscuous.

I stared at Everett in disbelief. He had clearly seen me at the time, trembling and crying, curled up in a corner, unable to move. He abruptly averted his gaze, his eyes darting, unwilling to meet mine. Joanna quietly walked to my side, pretending to hold my hand, her voice deceptively gentle.

Dont blame Everett. I just misunderstood your relationship with him back then, and he only mentioned a few things to me. I didnt expect others to overhear and spread rumors. Everett is always like this, he cant stand to see me suffer.

I subtly pulled my hand back, suppressing my emotions.

My eyes just werent feeling well that day; I looked a bit longer. Everett and I are just ordinary friends, you dont need to worry about it.

Hearing my words, Everetts mouth moved, as if he wanted to explain. But Joanna pulled his wrist first, leading him back to his seat. I left the celebration party in a hurry before it ended. Behind me, I heard hurried footstepsEverett had chased after me. Seeing my reddened eyes, a flicker of pain crossed his.

I told you already, this is just for work right now. Otherwise, I would have made our relationship public a long time ago. As for what happened that day, if you hadnt been staring at me, causing everyone to misunderstand, why would I have said anything?

I chuckled self-mockingly. He must have forgotten. Actually, I had texted him that day, saying I wanted to drink that bubble tea, but he never replied. When I arrived, though, I saw him cheerfully handing a cup of bubble tea to Joanna. I kept texting him, and only then did he glance down and quickly reply, no time.

I no longer wanted to argue with him and started walking away. Everett instinctively wanted to catch up, but his phone rang in his pocket. He answered the call, his voice instantly softening.

Joanna, dont be scared, Ill be right there.

With that, he looked in my direction, hesitated for a few seconds, then turned and quickly ran off.

The next morning, a news headline, Everett Blacks Girlfriend Identified, and Its Not Joanna Meng! shot to the top of trending topics. The accompanying picture was from years ago, showing me eating barbecue at a street stall with a newly debuted Everett. Immediately after, a second headline followed: Joanna Meng Allegedly Drinks Her Sorrows Away Late at Night, Claims She Doesnt Want to Cause Trouble!

I opened my phone. The screen showed over a hundred missed calls from Everett. As soon as I answered, his angry shouts erupted from the other end.

Selene! Are you crazy? Do you really want me to announce our relationship? Do you have to make it known to everyone? Now the company is telling me never to interact with Joanna again. Are you happy now?

I gripped the phone, my heart sinking little by little. I hung up directly. I really didnt want to explain to him anymore. Whenever Joanna was involved, he never believed me. But the next second, Everetts clarification statement shot to the top of trending topics again.

Ms. Selene Kim and I are merely ordinary friends. In the past, seeing her pitiable situation, I would occasionally offer help. I didnt expect her to keep pestering me recently. I am currently seriously pursuing Joanna Meng, so all my actions are voluntary and have nothing to do with her. I hope everyone will not involve her.

The comment section was instantly flooded with blessings for them and insults directed at me.

Waaah, Everetts favoritism is only for Joanna! Please, certain people, stop being so conceited and trying to cling on!

Selene? I know her. She was restless in middle school, even tried to get into her teachers bed. Now she wants to climb the social ladder and latch onto Everett?

The insults grew increasingly nasty. Someone had leaked my phone number, and I received countless abusive texts. Just then, chaotic footsteps and murmuring came from outside the door.

Weve checked the records, Selene Kim is in here!