The Next Morning...
Bryan tried to dismiss the pictures from his mind. He didn’t believe Amelia had betrayed him.
After all, photo editing and AI face-swapping technology are very advanced. He thought that photo must have been maliciously edited to defame his innocent wife.
However, a seed of doubt lingered, gnawing at him. He spent the entire night on the sofa in the living room, unable to sleep, because the image on the picture would appear in his mind when he closed his eyes.
Suddenly, the door opened, Amelia entered the room with a flushed face, looking radiant. It seemed that he had spent a good night with her first love.
She was surprised to see Bryan there, looking haggard and exhausted.
"Welcome back, darling," Bryan said tiredly.
Amelia glanced at her pale husband and the candlelight dinner he had prepared on the table, but she didn't care about those, nor did she greet him back as she sat down on the sofa.
"Uh, I'm so exhausted... come and massage me, Bryan." she simply stated, like commanding her servant.
His heart began to waver, and he felt uneasy about his wife's change in attitude towards him. He didn’t follow her instruction and kept silent, just staring at her.
Amelia frowned and repeated, "Are you deaf? I said come and massage me, right now!" Her voice sounded a bit angry and impatient.
Bryan didn’t do it still...
"Wow, you aren’t even willing to do this for me since I work so hard to feed the family?" Amelia's voice dripped with sarcasm.
She immediately missed Xander, who would have done it without even asking. But she never thought Bryan used to give her massage.
Then, Bryan finally asked, “Where were you last night?”
Amelia frowned and leaned forward. “Why are you asking? I told you I was celebrating the award with my friends. I told you that, Bryan.”
"Please, Amelia... don't lie to me. Where were you all night? I kept calling you but you ignored my calls."
"My phone was switched off, it powered off... Bryan, you should have known that."
"Powered off?" Bryan found it funny. What a poor excuse!
Amelia's brow furrowed, and she snapped, “Should I have to repeat it again and again? I said I was with my colleagues that time... or... What are you thinking? That I'm with another man, uh? How could you not be wild in imagination since you are just staying at home and doing nothing?” Her voice filled with disdain.
"You can't even answer a question without shaming me," Bryan said.
"Yeah, that's because you are selfish and accusing me with some baseless question! I was with my colleagues, that's all. I don't know why I have to keep explaining that to you!".
"Amelia, do you still love me? You..., you are my heart, and I can't believe that nonsense. If you love me, tell me where were you last night". Bryan stated, his voice trembling with fear.
"Bryan, it's enough! Stop bothering me! I have told you the truth!".
Bryan then opened his phone and threw it at her. “Then what is this? ”
Amelia grabbed the phone and checked it, then saw the photo, clearly the scene of her and her first lover Xander.
Her eyes popped out, then she immediately composed herself and stayed calm, “Where did you get these pictures? It's just a behind-the-scenes shot from the new movie I'm currently in.”
The worst fear was confirmed. Amelia was really cheating on him. Bryan knew she wasn’t preparing for any new movies.
"Amelia! who is that man, we can talk it out." He softly stated.
"what the hell are you saying!", Amelia yelled, now on her feet, "How dare you tag me with such shit! Someone set me up and I don't know who was working for you to get you this damn picture."
He scoffed, “ You are still lying to me!”
Amelia felt ridiculed, saying, “How audacious you are! Do you even have the right to ask me anything when I'm literally the one feeding you?”
Bryan still expected she could regret and apologize to him, spoke in low voice, “Amelia...”
“Don't call my name, you’re disgusting! I work my butt off to get to where I am today and provide for the family. What did you do? Nothing, absolutely nothing,” she yelled.
Bryan didn't even know what to do. He just stood there. He couldn't believe all these years of supporting her were just a waste.
Amelia was talking about hard work when she actually did nothing. She was an actress who didn't want to accept minor roles, even as a newbie.
Bryan was the one who made it all easy for her. He made sure she was always the main character, took out every actor and actress that would get in her way, and took it upon himself to take care of the home so Amelia could just focus on her career.
“Amelia… I can't believe you are saying this… to me”
“Why not when you are accusing me? And I am just stating the fact. You are poor, useless, and I am your host while you are nothing but just a parasite!” she yelled.
Bryan felt extremely disappointed and asked, “Then, what is that man to you, symbiosis? Benefiting each other? Uh?”
Amelia was filled with rage immediately. She couldn't take Bryan's ridicule.
As she raised her hand and tried to slap him, Bryan caught her hand and in anger flung it away.
Unexpectedly, Amelia lost her balance and fell onto the ground.
“What in hell you’re doing?” A voice roared from behind.
It’s Xander, who had expected this scene earlier because...