Chapter 5: Exes, Exposés, and Emotional Traps

Not long after, the doorbell rang. Maple, ignoring even her food, leapt up and started meowing at the door. I opened it, and sure enough, only Caleb could make Maple act like this. He looked travel-worn, probably just back from a shoot. I handed him slippers. He'd been away so long I'd packed up his stuff.

"I didn't change the door code. You could've just come in."

He put on the slippers and came in. "You know why I'm here, right?"

I felt guilty. "Yeah..."

"Then give me a real reason. That 'young and strong' excuse? Not buying it."

I picked up Maple, but she squirmed out and snuggled into Caleb's arms, rubbing her head against him.

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Why don't you believe me?"

Caleb snorted. "Who's the one who always gives up first and begs for a break?"

I blushed. Maple wriggled deeper into his arms.

"Traitor."

Caleb closed in, staring straight at me. "So, you want a divorce? Give me a reason."

He was much taller than me, and as he got closer, all I could see was his rising and falling chest. My heart was a mess. Maple wisely jumped down and scurried away.

"Sending me breakup texts is one thing, but I'm right here—say it to my face."

Caleb leaned down, his breath warm in my ear, his voice slow but insistent, making my ears tingle. When I didn't answer, he took my hand, his big palm gently rubbing my fingers. He really knew how to handle me. We'd only been married a year, not super close emotionally, but in some ways, he always knew how to get to me. I couldn't help but let out a soft "Mm."

Caleb chuckled, pinching my cheek.

"Not talking? So, still want that divorce?"

I shook my head. So weak. Sorry, Maple. Looks like Caleb's got me wrapped around his finger.

After some back and forth, I was the first to call it quits—again.

"Pathetic."

Caleb smiled, kissing my forehead as a sign it was over.

After a shower, I couldn't sleep thinking about Maple. Caleb, still in a towel, dropped a stack of documents next to me.

"As your husband, am I supposed to let you get humiliated like this?"

I flipped through them. It looked like Caleb's resume.

"What's this?"

Caleb: "My personal info. Didn't have time to put it together before we got married."

"Savannah, I've been in the business eight years without a single scandal. Is it really so..."

Just then, my phone rang with the theme from 'Love Like Fire.'

"My heart is beating, love burns like fire."

I shrugged, picking up the phone, grinning awkwardly. "Wow, way to kill the mood."

Taylor's angry voice came through:

"Savannah, your ex just went public!"

"You're in trouble!"

That came out of nowhere.

"Probably the competition trying to sabotage you. Your ex posted your photos and accused you of ghosting him."

I was totally confused.

"What ex? Who's accusing me of ghosting?"

Caleb was my first love. There was no ex.

"So who's supposedly my ex?"

Taylor: "Someone named Luke Foster."

It clicked. I glanced at Caleb—his expression was sour. I knew trouble was coming. "Caleb, I need to go to the office."

He looked unhappy but patiently asked, "Want me to drive you?"

Actually, that would be worse. "N-no, it's better if we keep some distance for now."

Looking at Caleb's neat resume, I sighed. "I'm afraid I'll become your only scandal."