Chapter 5

Just when I thought I'd be forgotten forever in that dusty storage room, Hollywood welcomed its annual spectacle—the Golden Globe Awards.

My soul was pulled by some mysterious force, leaving that dust-covered storage room and drifting toward the Beverly Hilton Hotel. It felt like something momentous was about to happen, and I had to witness it.

I floated above the hotel, gazing down at the dazzling lights of the red carpet scene. Flashbulbs popped, reporters aimed their long lenses, and the entire world was reveling in this glamorous performance.

Then I saw them.

Theodore walked down the red carpet with Lydia, their hands clasped tightly together. Lydia wore a flowing silver gown, adorned with an enormous diamond brooch on her chest—

Wait, that was MY brooch! The Van Cleef & Arpels piece Theodore gave me for my birthday three years ago!

"What the fuck!" I wanted to scream, but my soul couldn't make a sound.

Camera flashes exploded as Lydia gracefully waved, a massive diamond ring sparkling on her left ring finger under the lights. An engagement ring? They were engaged?

A Variety reporter pushed forward: "Congratulations! We heard your love story is being adapted into a series?"

Theodore gazed deeply into Lydia's eyes, his voice carrying that magnetic quality: "Yes, this project is based on a real Hollywood love story. Lydia taught me what unconditional love truly means."

Unconditional love? My soul trembled violently. What was I then? What about all those years I mortgaged properties for you, stayed up all night revising contracts, stood by you during your lowest moments?

Lydia nestled shyly into Theodore's embrace: "Some people only measure feelings through contract terms, but true love transcends all legal clauses."

That sentence hit my soul like a slap in the face. Contract terms? I was just trying to protect our shared business!

After the red carpet ceremony, crowds surged toward the hotel's party hall.

Champagne towers, crystal chandeliers, the rustle of silk and perfume—this gathering included Hollywood's top producers, directors, and stars. My transparent soul wandered among the clinking glasses and mingling crowd, watching these faces I once knew well raise their glasses to celebrate Theodore and Lydia.

Renowned producer David Fincher approached: "Theodore, you and Lydia prove that true love still exists in Hollywood! This story will definitely move countless audiences."

Theodore beamed: "Thank you all for your support. I'm thrilled to officially announce that the True Love Eternal series is officially launching, with Lydia starring as the female lead."

Thunderous applause erupted as everyone cheered for this Hollywood power couple.

Lydia's eyes brimmed with tears, her voice choking: "Thank you, everyone. We just proved that people in love will ultimately overcome all obstacles."

Obstacles? Was I that obstacle?

I stood there in a daze, watching everything unfold before me. Suddenly, memories from my past life flooded back like a tide—

When I painfully told him about my cancer diagnosis in the hospital corridor, he was busy comforting Lydia's "stomachache";

While I lay in the ER receiving IV fluids, he posted sweet photos with Lydia on Instagram;

Twenty-something years of memories flashed by like a slideshow: tender ones, happy ones, when he loved me deeply... and when he no longer loved me...

All Theodore.

I couldn't help but burst into hysterical laughter.

God, what an idiot I was! Even dead, I still didn't get it!

I looked at the party's commotion, then at my pale, transparent soul form, suddenly realizing a devastating truth—

Even in death, somewhere in my heart, I still secretly hoped he would be filled with regret after knowing I died... hoped he would feel genuine remorse... hoped he still loved me.

I was just hoping he still loved me.

Even if that love required death to awaken it.

But I was so incredibly stupid! So stupid!

Reality slapped me hard. Theodore felt no regret, no genuine guilt, and certainly wasn't devastated by losing me.

He quickly moved in with Lydia, gave her company shares and a producer title, even proposed within a month of my death.

The entire entertainment industry was blessing their "true love."

The dark night had ended, all gloom and sorrow left behind in yesterday. Sunlight poured down like blessings on everyone, filling the world with vitality and joy, laughter and cheerfulness.

Only my pale soul remained hollow and broken in the sunlight.

The next day, The Hollywood Reporter published an in-depth interview with Lydia.

My soul sat in an invisible chair next to the camera in the studio, watching Lydia accept the interview under soft lighting.

The host asked: "Can you tell us about your love story with Theodore?"

Lydia smiled gracefully: "Theodore's ex-wife was a very... rational woman. She treated marriage like a business contract, never understanding what pure love meant. Theodore and I are true soulmates."

"We heard she was a prominent lawyer during her lifetime?"

"Yes, she was very... professional." Lydia paused. "But love isn't a business transaction. She always used legal clauses to restrict Theodore's creative freedom, which is deadly for an artist."

Creative freedom? I was about to go insane. Those contracts were to protect our intellectual property! Those clauses were to prevent getting scammed!

"Our story proves that true love can overcome all worldly considerations." Lydia's eyes sparkled with tears. "I hope this series can inspire those who are still thinking about love rationally."

That afternoon, Theodore's mother Marilyn went live on Instagram from her Malibu oceanfront mansion.

My soul stood behind her, watching this elderly woman who had once treated me warmly speak confidently to the camera.

"Many people ask me about my daughter-in-law..." Marilyn pulled out her phone. "I have some email records here that prove Eveline's true nature after marriage."

She began displaying doctored email records, portraying the money I lent Theodore for his startup as "living expenses" I demanded from him.

"Eveline was very controlling, constantly asking us for money to maintain her luxurious lifestyle. She also used legal clauses to threaten Theodore, preventing him from working with other women, including female collaborators."

Marilyn continued with suggestive undertones: "Girls from working-class families, who knows what they learned in law school, becoming so... shrewd at such a young age. Lydia is truly a good girl who understands creative collaboration."

Shrewd? Because I came from a blue-collar background, I was shrewd? Because I understood law, I was controlling?

Social media exploded completely.

Comments poured in like a flood:

"Wow, Lydia is so brave! Women who dare to love and hate are the most beautiful!"

"Or you could be like some people and use legal clauses to hijack love! Hahahaha"

"People in love will always be happy!"

I watched these comments, my heart dead as ash.

In CAA's conference room, Theodore saw the online sentiment and frowned slightly, but didn't clarify. He just said coolly: "Have the PR department control the narrative direction."

I sat across from the conference table, suddenly understanding everything.

They were family now, a community of interests. If I were to be vindicated, wouldn't that be a direct slap in Lydia's face?

Dead women tell no tales.