Once Us, Now Dust

Chapter 1

The director yelled, "Cut!" for the third time, but my husband, the celebrated actor, was still tangled up in a heated kiss with his young co-star.

As his assistant, I leaned in and softly reminded him to stop.

Before he could react, the girl blinked back tears and whispered, "I'm just too deep in character…"

Right there, in front of the entire crew, my husband turned on me, his voice sharp, his expression cold.

"Sophia, stop being ridiculous. Not everything is as dirty as your mind makes it out to be."

That night, the tabloids were flooded with photos of the two of them sneaking in and out of a five-star hotel.

Once upon a time, I would've sobbed into my pillow, begged him for an explanation, and worked around the clock to clean up the PR disaster.

But this time?

I finally saw things for what they were.

Our five-year secret marriage had never been anything more than a farce.

...

I had just wrapped up a meeting with my divorce lawyer when Christopher strolled into the dressing room.

His lips were still stained with Mia's lipstick.

The moment he saw me, his smug grin disappeared, replaced by an irritated glare.

"Sophia, do you not know your place? This dressing room is for the lead actors. What the hell are you doing here?"

I grabbed the thermos from the makeup table and said coolly, "Getting my things."

Christopher had left for work at 5 AM. I had been up at 3 AM, making the food inside that thermos.

It was still the same weight. He hadn't touched a bite.

As I turned to leave, his voice rang out, dripping with disdain.

"Don't bother making food anymore. It's disgusting."

Not the first time he'd trashed my cooking.

In the past, I would've panicked, desperately searched his face for an explanation.

Didn't you say you wanted to eat my cooking for the rest of your life? When did that change?

But now? I couldn't be bothered.

I barely spared him a glance. "Mm." Then I walked out.

Christopher called after me. "The crew's having dinner tonight. The director wants me to go over the script with Mia."

There was the slightest hint of guilt in his tone. I pretended not to hear it.

"Fine."

On my way out, I tossed the thermos into the trash without hesitation.

Filming wrapped early that night. Since we were close to home, Christopher didn't book a hotel.

He came back at 1 AM, scowling when he found the living room empty. I wasn't waiting up for him like I always did.

He pushed open the bedroom door, his voice impatient. "Sophia, you know I can't sleep without my tea. Why didn't you make it?"

I didn't even lift my head. "We ran out last night. If you want some, order it yourself."

His face darkened. He slammed the door and stalked off to his study.

In the past, that would've been my cue, staying up all night, knocking on his door, apologizing, begging for his forgiveness.

But that night, Christopher waited until dawn.

I never came.

The next day, filming moved to a remote mountain location.

For the first time in ages, Christopher let me ride in his private car.

I had barely settled in when Mia strutted over in a skimpy, backless dress.

"Chris, honey," she purred, "do you have any bug spray? Mosquitoes love me…"

Then, as if just noticing me, she feigned surprise. "Oh! Sophia, you're here too? Maybe I should take the other car, "

Before she could finish, Christopher's voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Sophia, stop being difficult. Just ride in the crew van."

This time, I didn't argue.

For the first time, I silently got out of the car.

As I walked away, I felt his eyes on me.

Five minutes later, my phone buzzed.

[Mia has to show some leg for today's scene. Don't overthink it.]

I stared at the message.

[I understand.]

The typing bubble appeared.

It lingered.

Without waiting to see whatever excuse he was crafting, I exited the chat and shut off my phone.

For the first time in years, the world around me felt… peaceful.

Filming wrapped at 11 PM.

We were packing up when, out of nowhere, a scaffolding collapsed.

Christopher lunged,

Not toward me.

Toward Mia.

He shoved her out of the way, sending them both crashing to the ground.

Their lips smashed together.

And just like that, under the dim glow of the set lights, they shared their first accidental kiss.