After She Returned, I Dumped My Husband

Chapter 2

On the day Chloe Johnson returned to the country, she dominated social media.

Yet the comments were filled with nothing but vitriol.

She had debuted under the guise of a wealthy heiress, racking up countless fans, only for the media to expose her parents who were not only responsible for unfinished buildings but were also suspected of tax evasion.

Once the scandal broke, she faced a massive public backlash. She released a statement claiming she was going abroad to study, but anyone with half a brain could see she was just fleeing her parents' downfall—after all, they had already been sent to prison.

Virtually overnight, her reputation plummeted, leaving only her obsessed fans to defend her.

But I never expected that right after announcing her return, she would show up on Ryan's movie set.

The set was packed with people, and Chloe stood right in the center of the crowd.

She wore a faded casual shirt, her hair was a mess, and her pale face made her look so fragile that a gust of wind could have blown her over. With red-rimmed eyes, she pleaded, "Can't you just give me a chance? I really need this role."

Chloe whispered, "I'm truly out of options, Director. Please, just give me a job. Even a tiny, minor role would do. Otherwise, I'll end up on the streets..."

Holding the thermos of chicken soup I had made, my eyes locked onto hers.

A strange look flashed across her dark eyes, and she quickly looked away in embarrassment.

The chubby director, visibly annoyed, shoved her aside. "You're making things difficult for me. We've been filming for three months. Where am I supposed to find an open role? Everything was cast ages ago. Go on, beat it!"

Chloe fell to the ground, her eyes welling with tears. Her delicate features were clouded with sorrow, making her look incredibly vulnerable.

The chicken soup in my hand suddenly felt incredibly heavy.

A terrible premonition washed over me.

And soon, that premonition was confirmed.

Ryan stood at the entrance with a dark expression, though there was no telling how much he had overheard.

The look he cast at the chubby director was ice-cold.

He rushed out of the shooting studio. As he ran past me, he bumped into me hard, without even sparing me a glance. His eyes and mind were entirely on Chloe, completely oblivious to the fact that he had just run into Clara Williams, the woman who had been his wife for a year.

I watched, paralyzed, as Ryan fell to his knees to pull Chloe into his arms. His eyes were slightly red, yet he wore a tender smile. "You're finally back, Chloe."

Slapping the director hard across the face, he barked, "Who gave you the right to treat her like that?"

But when he turned back to Chloe, his gaze instantly softened. "I thought you were never coming back."

The two of them embraced passionately in front of everyone.

Everyone present cast pitiful glances my way. After all, the whole world knew Chloe was his first love.

I tightened my grip on the thermos in my hand.

Just last night, Ryan had leaned into my arms and coaxed me, "I haven't had your chicken soup in ages. Bring some to the set for me tomorrow."

So I put off all my work today and spent hours brewing the chicken soup, just to bring it to him.

Yet he didn't even spare it a glance.

Following everyone's gaze, Ryan finally noticed me standing there.

His face paled instantly, and his lips trembled. "Clara Williams."

He took an instinctive step toward me.

Chloe gently tugged at his sleeve. She barely used any force, but Ryan stopped in his tracks immediately.

She had just sprained her ankle, and her delicate features twisted in pain. "Ryan..."

Heartbroken, Ryan was instantly overcome with concern.

Hurriedly throwing back a brief "I'll explain when I get home," he swept Chloe up and headed for the hospital without looking back at me once.

But Chloe turned back to shoot me a smug, triumphant look.

Mouthing silently, she said, "You lost."

My face drained of color, and my knees felt weak. Yet, under the pitying stares of the onlookers, I did everything I could to maintain my dignity.

The moment his first love returned, Ryan abandoned me.