Though the pictures circulating only showed my face, the implication was unmistakable. The crumpled bedsheets, the dazed look in my eyes, my parted red lips and a glimpse of the tip of my tongue were all too suggestive.

It could only have been taken by Luca. Back then, we were young, in love and inseparable. He said he wanted to capture every side of me.

But now, the photo was released alongside a report of Grant Yates seen entering and exiting the hotel that same night.

"Was I ever in control of any of this?"

Zoe stopped mid-rant. She had been my agent since my debut, a decade of working side by side. She knew everything, especially about Luca and me.

In the end, she just let out a long sigh. "Zara, Mr. York can’t be that heartless. Maybe you should try to stay hopeful."

I smiled faintly and tears slipped down my cheeks. A decade of memories of highs and heartbreaks finally faded like a fragile bubble bursting in silence.

"Is there any point in hoping he’s not heartless? I’ve already been destroyed. Even if I clear my name one day, this stain will follow me forever."

"Zara, haven’t I already explained? I didn’t do it!"

I did not even notice when Luca arrived. He still had the password to my home, so he could come and go as he pleased.

If I thought about it, he had not set foot in this place for nearly a year. Most of the time, he would just summon me to a hotel and once it was over, he would leave without a word.

Before leaving, Zoe gave me a worried glance. Still, since Luca was her boss, she said nothing more.

I leaned back against the sofa, feigning innocence as I said, "Mr. York, did you come all the way here just for this? What a hassle. I already told you that it’s fine."

My words seemed to ignite something in him. He stormed over and yanked my hair, forcing me to look up into his icy gaze. "You’re a disgrace now, so forget about the wedding. I’ll go with you to register the marriage. Just stay home and be a housewife from now on."

My scalp burned as though it were being torn off, but I still managed to laugh. "Luca, you’ve really made a noble sacrifice for Lilian Yates."

He threw me to the floor. Looking down at my pathetic state, he sneered, "You should be thanking Lilian, then. If she hadn’t accidentally leaked that photo of you as a joke, would you even have the chance to marry me?"