Leo was completely drunk. He lay on the table with his head buried in his arms, as if he had said goodbye to the world. After several failed attempts to wake him, the bartender finally gave up and started searching for Leo's phone. But Leo was too heavy for him to handle alone, so he called a few people nearby to help. Somehow, they managed to pull the phone out of Leo's pocket.
In his contacts, there was an emergency number saved under the name 'Wife'.
The bartender dialed it. After several rings, someone finally picked up.
(Phone ringing sound)
A soft, sweet female voice came from the other side.
"Hello?"
Her voice stunned the bartender for a full two minutes. After gathering himself, he finally spoke:
"Are you the wife of the owner of this phone?"
There was no response. He asked again,
"Hello? Are you this gentleman's wife?"
How did Leo end up in this state?
And who was the woman whose number he had saved as his wife?
---
The truth was… Leo had been deeply broken after failing to join the 'Midnight Intelligence Bureau'.
His strength and speed had fallen far below his fellow soldiers. He didn't want to cry in front of them, so he left the military camp quietly. He didn't want pity. In his mind, there was only one option left—go home, recover, and figure out life again.
After returning to Riverdale, Leo decided to visit a club. Loud music and shouting surrounded him, but he was lost in his own thoughts.
He sat alone, gulping down drink after drink, when a girl approached him.
"Why are you sitting alone here? Men who sit alone in places like this are rare," she said.
Leo ignored her and continued drinking.
Her ego didn't like being ignored, but she couldn't help herself—Leo's towering 6'3 height, his broad shoulders, and his silent intensity made him stand out from everyone in the club. She tried again.
But he ignored her once more.
"One more drink for him… on me," she told the bartender.
As soon as the bartender placed the glass on the table, she slipped a pill into it.
Leo caught her in the act.
"I'm not drunk enough to go blind. Leave right now. Or you'll embarrass yourself in front of everyone," Leo said loudly.
The girl froze, terrified, and hurried away in shame.
---
THE SAME NIGHT — Ruth & SONS ENTERTAINMENT PARTY
Across the city, a high-profile party was underway. Gorgeous women filled the hall, but all eyes were fixed on Aurelia. She wore a stunning dress, her curly hair shimmering around her glowing face. Her beauty radiated so powerfully that men couldn't look away—and even the women secretly wished to look like her.
But people weren't staring at her just because she was beautiful.
Aurelia had recently won the award for Hollywood's Next Superstar.
She wasn't just an actress—she was also a phenomenal singer.
Her father was one of the top businessmen in the country, and her mother had once been a famous Italian model. Aurelia was the perfect blend of her American father and Italian mother—and that made her different from everyone else.
At first, she didn't want to answer Leo's call.
But the bartender's words made her pause.
Before hanging up, she asked:
"Can you tell me the address?"
"Grand Plaza Club, 101 Old Street," the bartender replied.
Aurelia ended the call. She thought for a moment, then called her assistant.
"Bring the car. I need to go somewhere."
Lucy picked up the keys immediately and guided Aurelia out of the party crowd discreetly.
"Head toward Grand Plaza Club," Aurelia said.
"Mam, several new actors had come to see you… why are we leaving the party so early?" Lucy asked while starting the car.
"You call that a party? I was bored," Aurelia replied, looking at the starry sky outside her window.
After a few minutes, Lucy asked,
"Mam… it's quite late. Why are we going to a club?"
Aurelia didn't answer. She just kept staring out at the night sky.
Soon, their car reached Grand Plaza Club.
It wasn't a place suitable for someone as famous as Aurelia. If she walked inside, chaos would erupt. So she sent Lucy inside instead.
"Lucy, go in and bring out a man named Leo Larson."
Lucy wanted to ask questions, but she knew the situation was serious. She went inside and returned shortly—dragging a half-unconscious Leo with her. Leo could barely even stand.
Getting him out was one thing—but getting him into the car was nearly impossible.
Aurelia finally had to step out of the car herself. She and Lucy managed to push Leo inside. As soon as they did, Aurelia ordered:
"Drive home."
"Mam… is it safe to take an unknown man to your house?" Lucy whispered nervously. If anyone found out, tomorrow's newspapers would explode with headlines.
"Just drive," Aurelia said sharply.
Lucy obeyed, though her mind was full of questions. After a long silence, she finally asked,
"Mam… who is he? I've never seen him with you."
"He's my husband," Aurelia replied flatly. "But only by name."
Lucy's jaw dropped.
"But… you're supposed to be single!"
"Our parents arranged the marriage when we were kids. I couldn't refuse then. It's been three years since we married, but we've never lived together. From our perspective, the marriage practically doesn't even exist," Aurelia said calmly.
Lucy felt her heart stop.
Aurelia was only 23.
She had worked with her for three years, yet never once heard about her marriage.
If the media found out, what then?
What about her fans?
Her career? Her image?
Everyone knew—in Hollywood, only single faces become superstars.
If people discovered Aurelia was married, her career could collapse overnight.
Aurelia understood the panic on Lucy's face.
"There's nothing to worry about. We've kept this secret for three years… and I trust it will remain a secret."