1: The Award

"Congratulations, Liam! You truly deserve it," the presenter beamed as she handed him the golden statuette, a glint of admiration in her eyes.

My heart sank. Liam Leon Galloway, my contracted husband, the man who never loved me from the start, was now being celebrated on the grand stage of the 51st Annual Movie Academy Award. And there she was, that woman beside him, looking at him with such adoration, a smile that I know never for once belonged to me but neither to her.

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms, trying to suppress the torrent of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. How did it come to this? The life I thought I had was crumbling before my eyes, replaced by a cruel reality I couldn't escape.

Liam's speech echoed through the room, each word a dagger in my chest. "Thanking God," he said, his voice carrying across the screen. There was no God in my world, only an empty void that once held love and dreams.

I wiped my tears angrily, trying to regain composure. How did I become a spectator in my own life, while Liam basked in the glory of his success with another woman? The pain of betrayal mixed with regret and self-pity.

The television screen blurred as I stared through my tears, grabbing the remote to increase the volume. The camera swept through the crowd, capturing the nervous energy of celebrities. I tried to picture myself among them, but my dreams were shrouded in darkness.

Dreams were a luxury I couldn't afford anymore. Not like Liam could.

"Husband," I whispered, the word foreign and bitter on my tongue. My eyes searched the screen, desperate for a glimpse of him. I saw him at his table, the sight twisting my heart. His charm, his elegance mocked my own shabby appearance.

As the awards continued, my heart pounded, waiting for his category. Best actor. I found myself praying silently, a habit long abandoned for myself.

"And now, the second Academy Award for Best Actor goes to Liam Leon Galloway for his role in Moon By Days!" The presenter's voice rang out again.

A weak smile touched my lips as the camera panned to Liam. He stood, the crowd erupting into applause. Pride and admiration filled the room. And beside him, his arm wrapped around her, stood the woman who was once my closest friend. She glowed, radiant in her support for him.

Tears streamed down my face, a mixture of pride and anguish. Liam's success was bittersweet. He thanked everyone who mattered, everyone except the one person who watched from afar, lost in shadows of her own making.

"I want to thank my parents, my cast, and crew members. It's because of you all, my dream has become a reality," Liam said, his voice carried on cheers from the crowd.

Here I sat, swallowed by silence. No dreams, no hopes. And there he stood, living out every dream with another woman by his side.

But as the applause faded, a quiet resolve stirred within me. This wasn't the end. It was just the beginning of a new act, one where I would reclaim my life, my dreams, and confront the betrayal that had torn us apart.

---

The night blurred into early morning as I sat in the dimly lit living room, the television now silent. The weight of Liam's success hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of everything I had lost. I glanced at the clock—3:00 AM and Liam was not to be seen. Sleep eluded me, my mind racing with memories and regrets.

Images of Liam and her, smiling together, flashed through my mind like a relentless slideshow. How long had they been together? How had I missed the signs? The questions gnawed at me, taunting my wounded pride.

A sudden noise outside jolted me from my thoughts. I strained to listen, heart pounding against my ribcage. Another sound, faint but distinct—a click, like a door being opened. Panic gripped me. Who could it be at this hour?

I tiptoed to the window, peering into the darkness. Shadows danced in the moonlight, casting eerie shapes on the pavement below. My neighborhood was usually quiet, but tonight it felt like I was being watched.

My hands trembled as I reached for the phone, ready to dial 911. Before I could press the first digit, a figure emerged from the shadows—a tall silhouette moving with purpose. My breath caught in my throat. Was it Liam? Had he come back, drawn by some lingering guilt or regret?

The figure drew closer, and I squinted, trying to make out details in the darkness. It wasn't Liam. It was a woman—a stranger, dressed in dark clothing, her face obscured by the hood of her jacket. Fear pulsed through me. What did she want?

She stopped beneath a streetlamp, glancing around furtively. I watched, heart hammering, unsure whether to call out or remain hidden. Then, as if sensing my presence, she turned abruptly, eyes scanning the windows of my house.

I ducked back instinctively, heart racing. Why was she here? Was I in danger? A thousand scenarios raced through my mind—robbery, mistaken identity, a threat aimed at Liam or even at me.

Minutes stretched into eternity as I crouched behind the curtains, listening to the distant hum of the city. The woman lingered for a moment longer, then disappeared into the darkness as quickly as she had come.

I waited, heart still pounding, before daring to peek outside again. Nothing but the empty street greeted me. She was gone.

Trembling, I sank onto the couch, clutching the phone like a lifeline. What had just happened? My mind reeled, trying to make sense of the surreal encounter. Was it a warning? A coincidence? Or something more sinister?

The night stretched on, silent and unnerving. Sleep remained elusive, thoughts consumed by Liam, by the mysterious woman, by the shattered pieces of my life scattered around me.

Dawn broke slowly, casting a pale light through the curtains. Exhaustion weighed heavily on my eyelids, but I dared not close them. The events of the night had left me shaken, vulnerable, unsure of what the new day would bring.

As morning unfolded, I forced myself to focus. There were questions that needed answers, decisions that needed to be made. Liam's betrayal had opened a chasm between us, but now a new threat lurked in the shadows, haunting the edges of my fragile existence.

With a deep breath, I reached for my phone again. It was time to confront the past, to unravel the secrets that had brought me to this moment. Liam's success was just the beginning. The real story, my story, was waiting to be written. And I was determined to reclaim my role in it, no matter the cost.

But little did I know, the darkest secrets were yet to surface, and the woman from the night would return, bringing with her a revelation that would shatter everything I thought I knew about Liam and our contracted marriage.