Chapter 1 Great Deception

CATHERINE'S POV

When I was ten years old, my parents divorced, and the court ruled that I would live with my mother. After that, we moved frequently due to difficult circumstances, sometimes going without a decent meal for days. Six years later, my mother remarried Uncle Willam, and we moved to a small rural area, where we've been living ever since.

I transferred to a new school, where I met Liam Claude, whom I thought was the destiny of my life. I argued with my mother and uncle, eventually leaving home to wholeheartedly support Liam Claude's career.

I played the role of manager for the passionate young singer, supporting everything for my boyfriend... We've known each other for ten years, and I've never regretted my decision. I always thought I was the happiest girl, the only love of Liam Claude. But I was wrong; Claude cheated on me with a girl named Annie, who happened to be their neighbor. And she, the one whom Liam Claude always held dear in his heart.

The ideal image of my boyfriend, Claude, shattered within me. My heart ached so much that it felt constricted, a numbing sensation running through my petite body as I witnessed this scene. The stage lights sparkled, illuminating the man I loved kissing another woman.

***

"Liam Claude, I love you madly," cheers erupted beneath the stands, the atmosphere more lively than ever.

Under the glamorous stage lights, singer Liam Claude was ablaze with his new song, released just yesterday. Liam Claude's tour was scheduled to travel across the United States, and today it halted in a small suburban town in Oregon. Thousands of fans below were synced with the young singer's voice, especially as today's performance featured the famous model, Annie.

As the performance ended, Claude approached Annie in front of the crowd. His gaze stopped at her face, his eyes mesmerized, gently placing his hand on her chin and giving Annie a sweet kiss.

This seemingly heated up the entire stadium even more. Cheers and enthusiastic chants erupted in support. The audience said they were confirming their relationship in public. Previously, the two had been spotted dining together and embracing intimately. Despite the blurred images, fans still recognized Claude by the tattoo of wings on the back of his neck.

Amidst all the noise, Naomi Catherine felt her chest tremble, a sensation of shattering spreading throughout her petite body. Because the singer Liam Claude shining on stage up there was Catherine's boyfriend. In front of his girlfriend, he dared to publicly kiss another woman.

Catherine's heart shattered in that moment. She realized that everything had changed, and the bitter truth tore through her soul like a knife. Catherine rose abruptly, retreated, and ran out of the crowd, feeling her heart ache and shatter into pieces.

After the show ended, Catherine sighed heavily as she entered the dressing room, placing both hands on the makeup table, trying to suppress the overwhelming emotions.

Liam Claude stood by the door, his eyes showing concern and a desire to explain, but he didn't know where to start.

"Catherine... I... I don't want to hurt you," Liam Claude said, quietly approaching her. "It's just part of the song's script."

Catherine turned to look into his bright blue eyes. "But your emotions during that performance were real, weren't they?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Liam Claude closed his eyes, sensing Catherine's pain and desperation in her words. "Yes, but... You understand, right? We're still in love, in my heart, you're still the best, but Annie is just part of the show."

Catherine tried to pull Claude's hand down, her eyes sparkling as she questioned him: "Claude, I'm not naive. I'm not foolish. I gave up my dreams to support you from behind, and now what? What do I get in return? If not for love for you, Catherine today would be different."

She took a deep breath and continued, "I've loved you for almost ten years, but I'm not so foolish as to not recognize when my boyfriend betrays me."

Claude didn't have a chance to explain; he could only stare blankly as Catherine pulled out close-up photos of him and Annie dating from her purse and interrogated him.

"Catherine, when did you know? How did you get these photos?" Liam Claude grabbed these photos, tearing them apart frantically.

"Since you started cheating, I knew everything. Moreover, I know Annie is someone you secretly loved before you met me. Just because I love you so much, I turned a blind eye to all those rumors."

As she said this, Catherine collapsed. They had been in love for almost ten years; now she was twenty-eight. How much trust and pride she had for him was now gone.

It was exhausting. Liam Claude had told her they would get married; they would live together for a long time. And now? He was a liar.

"Sorry, Catherine, it's because you're too good. I don't want to hurt you, but if you know everything like this, then we should break up."

Naomi Catherine sat on the ground crying for a long time. Was it because she was so bad that she deserved this? Catherine never dreamed she would be abandoned by the person she loved the most.

Not long after, Liam Claude turned back, took out a bank card from his pocket, and handed it to Catherine, coldly saying, "Take as much as you like as compensation."

Claude, Liam Claude, even saying such cruel words, can you?

Hearing Claude's words, Catherine's anger flared to the bone, slapping Claude with all her might, her eyes filled with disgust and hatred. For love, she had to admit this lie; she found it unworthy.

"The love between a famous singer and a hot model is too strong, it's been over ten years, and I can't break it. The most regretful thing I've ever done is standing behind you absolutely. Liam Claude, you're terrible."

After the outburst of anger, Catherine was about to leave immediately, but she suddenly stopped and said, "Liam Claude, you've forgotten one thing. Your success today, all of it is because I helped you."

As Catherine thought about how many years she had been behind, doing everything for that terrible man, she thought about it even more. Did he cheat on her with anyone else besides Annie? Thinking about this, Catherine felt extremely disgusted.

Finally, Catherine, carefree and friendly as before, disappeared, and now Catherine was only the worst version of herself.

Money and glitter finally changed people.

Catherine left the stadium, not wanting to stay there for too long. Unexpectedly, she saw Annie waiting outside, she sarcastically said, "Catherine, are you okay?"

"Annie, I'm fine! As for your boyfriend, I'm not sure, you can go inside and help him feel more comfortable by having sex."

"Catherine, what did you say?" Annie changed her tone, her face very angry.

"Oh, don't you remember! You're a famous model because you want a position in the upcoming show... And you didn't hesitate to have sex with a sixty-year-old man."

Catherine mocked, Annie's face became increasingly unbearable. He said that was tantamount to torturing her. The more Catherine looked at Annie's discomfort, the more excited she felt.

Catherine raised her head arrogantly and said to Annie, "When you get married, remember to send me an invitation."

Annie couldn't believe that Catherine knew that secret, cursing incessantly, even wanting to rush up and hit Catherine.

"How ridiculous! My love, remember that I have supported Liam Claude for almost ten years. I have many relationships that can turn you from a famous model into a third party breaking someone else's family happiness. Do you want to try it?"

"Catherine, don't use that to threaten me. I'm sure you wouldn't dare to ruin Liam Claude's career." Seeing Annie's satisfied expression, Catherine couldn't help but laugh.

"You've forgotten... Liam Claude has everything today because I helped him. Without me, would Liam Claude still be a singer? You guess."

Naomi Catherine was like this, Liam Claude knew very well. Today, I can support you in achieving your goals and admire you beyond words.

But just betray me, even if you beg for forgiveness, even threaten me with death, I affirm that I will not turn back.

"Annie, don't you realize? Liam Claude has loved you for so many years, you don't move him so it's pitiful. Pity, I thought you were so infatuated with him that you broke my happiness."

***