Chapter 3

Life was actually quite boring. So one time when I went to Pierce Holdings to deliver documents Holt had left at home, a short drama editor spotted me and asked if I wanted to try playing a supporting role in their series---a smart student character. They thought my temperament was perfect for it.

I inexplicably agreed, and Holt didn't object either.

What I didn't expect was that the short drama would become a huge hit, and even I, as a supporting character, gained my own fans.

I found it novel. I'd never imagined entering the entertainment industry, a place that had nothing to do with me.

Pierce Holdings had many business ventures, and Rainfall Entertainment was just one small piece. Holt said that as long as I didn't use the Pierce name externally, I could do whatever I wanted.

So gradually, I got an agent, Lisa, and also a young assistant. I took on several supporting roles in major productions---fourth, fifth, sixth female leads.

I became a minor actress. Sometimes scrolling through social media felt especially interesting.

I would lie in bed laughing as I read fan comments to Holt, one hand massaging his leg.

Without paying attention, I pressed on some spot, and Holt let out a muffled groan. Thinking I'd hurt him, I quickly dropped my phone to check, but Holt pushed me down onto the bed.

Kissing came naturally, and what followed was a natural progression. We became more and more in sync, both finding pleasure in it.

From that point on, our relationship progressed by leaps and bounds.

He would bring me the little cakes I loved, buy me clothes and jewelry, and occasionally take me to watch movies or walk by the lake.

We were like an ordinary married couple. And under my massage therapy, Holt's leg got better and better. Even the doctor said it was a miracle. Now when Holt walked, as long as he didn't go too fast, you couldn't tell he had ever limped at all.

In the third year of our marriage, Lily came back.

The day she returned, Holt unusually didn't cling to me.

And for the first time in three years, Mr. and Mrs. Shaw called, asking Holt and me to come home.

Lily had been gone for three years and had never come back once. During the one family gathering at New Year's, the Shaws had awkwardly said that Lily was busy with her studies.

Holt's face was cold, and he didn't speak. I didn't know what he was thinking. After all, since getting married, I, their biological daughter, had barely returned to the Shaw house either.

But the preferential treatment given to the Shaw family had never stopped flowing.

When Holt and I returned to the Shaw house, I saw a graceful young woman throw herself into Holt's arms like the wind.

I stood beside them watching. Holt didn't push her away.

The woman in his arms had matured considerably, but she still kept calling him by his first name, tears streaming down and soaking Holt's suit.

Watching this scene, my heart ached. I deeply regretted agreeing to return to the Shaw house.

Seeing me beside them, Lily straightened up. "I'm sorry, Genesis. I was just so happy. Holt, oh wait, should I call you by your name now?"

Holt's jaw tightened. He took my hand with a cold expression and led me to our seats.

Lily watched us with obvious shock.

That dinner was utterly frustrating. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Shaw asked how I'd been doing recently. Instead, they desperately tried to get Lily and Holt to talk, saying how much Lily had been thinking about Holt.

I suddenly felt like they were trying to push Lily onto him.

From that day on, Lily was like a fly, appearing around Holt and me constantly.

And Holt went from initial resistance to eventual acceptance---all in less than a month.

Lily wanted to enter the entertainment industry, so Holt had Rainfall Entertainment's top agent take her on.