My Husband’s Other Face

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I married a university professor.

He was always so restrained and composed, never losing control, taking me only thrice each night.

During a reshoot of a kissing scene for a movie, the set happened to be in the very university classroom where he taught.

He didn't interfere, showed no signs of jealousy, and of course, he didn't love me.

Suddenly, I grew weary of the relationship and proposed a divorce.

My stated reason was a lack of variety and passion.

It wasn't until I stumbled upon my "little clothes"my intimate garmentsin his study, already well-worn and familiar from his touch.

Was this still the same aloof, ice-cold husband I knew?

I recoiled in shock, but he advanced, step by relentless step

I married my fathers most esteemed student.

After graduating from college, I chose not to follow the path my parents had meticulously planned, instead plunging headfirst into the chaotic world of acting. My professor parents, naturally, vehemently opposed this decision.

Eventually, we struck a compromise: within two years, regardless of my success in the entertainment industry, I had to get married.

Two years flew by in the blink of an eye. My father, sequestered in his study, made a phone call to someone. A few days later, Finn Burke came to our house for dinner.

He had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his silver-grey suit lending him an air of both dignity and refinement. He was no longer the somewhat impoverished and unassuming boy I remembered from high school.

My heart gave a violent lurch, and I wished I could just bury my head beneath the table.

My parents, both professors, had countless accomplished students, yet I was their sole bitter fruit. My academic record was dismal, but I was a virtuoso when it came to dating.

Throughout high school, I barely had any time between boyfriends. Id dated them all: the school bully, the straight-A student, even the sweet but dim-witted blond surfer types.

Finn was a year my senior and consistently ranked first in the entire school. He was the impoverished student in the faded uniform, his top button always meticulously fastened. And he was also the unapproachable, ice-cold figure, like a peak of a snow-capped mountain, who gave speeches every Monday at the flag-raising ceremony.

One time, I was a minute late for school. Right at the gate, I was snagged by Finn, who was on discipline duty.

Oh, come on, just help me out, please?

Few could resist my charm offensive, especially for just a mere minutes tardiness.

Finn lifted his thin eyelids and glanced at me, utterly unmoved. With chilling indifference, he jotted down my name.

This guy was utterly infuriating.

My best friend, Brittany, had a good laugh at my expense, so I made a bet with her: Id pursue Finn and make him my boyfriend.

I just couldn't believe hed keep that lifeless expression even with a girlfriend, right?

He still had a year until graduation, and during his tenure on discipline duty, I could pretty much stroll in late or skip class whenever I pleased, couldn't I?

Brittany chuckled, saying, Dont forget me when you get rich.

Id never dated anyone like Finn, so I was brimming with confidence.

I poured all my accumulated wisdom into a love letter for him. The next day, as he carried a stack of assignments back to his classroom, I bit my lower lip shyly and handed it to him.

Finn gave me a half-smile, his long fingers taking the letter from my grasp.

I thought it would be a cinch, but after half a month of sending him love letters, he remained unyielding.

Just my luck, my ex-boyfriend, Caleb Hayes, returned from an intensive training camp out of town.

In the equipment room, he had me pinned against a table, kissing me. This precise moment was witnessed by Finn, on discipline patrol, and the student council members trailing behind him.

My ex-boyfriend, Caleb, the schools resident bad boy, had me pressed between a desk and his body.

Baby, lets get back together. I promise Ill never make you angry again.

Caleb was handsome and flamboyant, a magnet for girls at school. Yet, in front of me, he was like a docile, oversized Mastiff.

He was an expert kisser and incredibly good at teasing. Every time we kissed, hed lift the hem of his shirt, guiding my hand to feel his perfectly sculpted eight-pack abs.

I was naturally drawn to handsome men of all types. Being with Caleb had always beenwell, lets just say I was well-fed.

But his possessiveness was overwhelming. If I went out to buy a bottle of water, hed suspect I was cheating. Forget about me even smiling at another guy. Wed had countless arguments because of it.

I was exhausted. Less than a month into our relationship, I couldnt take it anymore and broke up with him.

No, youre too clingy. I hate people who try to control me so much.

Ill change, I promise. How about that?

His voice was lazy, thick with affection. Caleb set me on the desk, his hands on my waist, as he leaned down, apologizing for his mistakes.

Student council members patrolled the school daily, busting early relationships, stopping bullying

Finn, with several other student council members trailing him, pushed open the door.

His eyes, frozen with coldness, looked at Caleb and me as if hed caught us in the act.

The students behind him quickly picked up their pens and started scribbling in their notebooks. I scrambled off the desk, my heart pounding with dread.

Caleb didnt even flinch. He adjusted the collar of my school shirt, then turned his head. Write whatever you want. Just finish up and leave. Dont interrupt me trying to win back my girlfriend.

He was a baseball player, having just won first place in his training camp and brought honor to the school, so he certainly had the capital to be arrogant.

Later, after Calebs relentless pursuit, I got back together with him.

My bet with Brittany about chasing Finn simply fizzled out.

That year, Finn scored the highest in the entire state on his college entrance exams, earning him a spot at State University. His high score remained unbroken, making him a legend throughout the high school.

After that, I never saw him again.

To my utter shock, the unapproachable "ice prince" Id given up on pursuing years ago was now my blind date.

He was a successful professional, also serving as an honorary university professor. His eyes had shed their bookish stiffness and youthful awkwardness, replaced by the distinct charm of a mature man.

I was completely taken aback that Finn had agreed to a blind date with me.

We sat across from each other by the floor-to-ceiling window of a fancy Western restaurant. He twirled the water glass between his fingers, then asked directly, When can we get married?

His family was pressing him hard. And as for me, I genuinely needed a marriage partner at the moment.

Finns Adams apple bobbed as he listed the advantages of marrying him: he wouldnt interfere with anything I did, and hed agree to a separation whenever I wished.

After some thought, he seemed like the most suitable candidate for marriage. We would each get what we needed, without any emotional strings attached.

After getting our marriage license, I followed him back to our marital home.

That evening, after showering, I lay in bed scrolling through my phone.

The gentle patter of water from the bathroom soon stopped.

Click. First, a rush of steamy air escaped. Then, a tall, well-built man, wrapped in a towel, revealing an impressive eight-pack, appeared strikingly before me.

Finn was over six feet three inches tall. It was clear that one of his arms was twice the circumference of mine.

I bit my lip, feeling a shameful flicker of desire.

Finn pulled back the covers and got into bed. The crisp, minty scent of him enveloped me, surprisingly pleasant.

He leaned against the headboard, putting on anti-glare glasses to read a physics research paper.

He wasn't planning on us sleeping in separate rooms? What was I supposed to do?

Distractedly, I scrolled through my phone, texting Brittany, my best friend.

Its your wedding night! Youre not getting it on with your super hot husband, and you have time to text me?

Im not even going to mention whose loss that body difference is.

Id meant to use voice-to-text, but just then, Finn called my name.

The next second, Brittanys clear voice boomed through the quiet bedroom.

The air instantly froze, and I felt my scalp tingle with embarrassment.

Finn gently placed his book on the nightstand.

Anya, ready for bed?

My mind went blank. Uh, what?

Finn took off his glasses, slid down, and leaned over me. A mint-scented kiss landed softly on my lips.

Wait, he meant sleep, as in actual sleep, not sleep, as in that!

Finn was a very well-endowed man. In my teenage years, watching those explicit movies with Brittany, fifteen inches seemed like an incredible feat. I wrapped my arms loosely around his firm shoulders, thinking Finn surely topped eighteen.

On our wedding night, we made love three times.

The first time, he was careful. The second, he held back. The third, he indulged slightly.

I was due on set soon, and I wondered if Id even be able to walk. With tears in my eyes, I pleaded, "No more, please. I'm really at my limit."

Finn's sweat dripped onto my neck as he carefully watched my reaction, then frowned and withdrew.

He first carried me to the bathroom to clean up. Afterwards, I heard sounds of him satisfying himself in the bathroom alone.

I bit my lip, silently pulling the covers over my head, muffling the low, husky groans.

Again, I thought that a marriage without love, just sex, was pretty good. Physical satisfaction, no strings attachedmutual respect.

Soon after, Finn packed his bags, announcing he was going abroad for a business trip, with no fixed return date.

I quickly joined the cast of "The Crown Princess." It was a palace intrigue drama, and I was, once again, playing the villainous second female lead.

As I was practicing my lines, a shadow suddenly appeared in the mirror. Then, a pair of hands rested on my shoulders.

Girlfriend, we meet again.

It was Ethan Vance, who had shot to fame after a massively popular BL drama, amassed countless loyal fans online, and recently won the Best New Actor award for a film. In our previous project, wed co-starred in a high school romance. He was the male lead, I was the second female lead.

Our on-screen chemistry as a couple actually outshone the main leads. Now, he was enjoying unprecedented fame in the entertainment industry.

At some point, the entire lounge had emptied, leaving just me. I stood up, turned around, and put some distance between us, pulling the sheer fabric of my costume higher to cover my shoulders.

Ethan, please dont joke around, its just acting.

Ethan took a step closer to me, leaning in to whisper in my ear, To be honest, Ive actually been thinking about making it real.

I just landed a new movie role, and theres a spot for the second female lead that I think would be perfect for you. How about we discuss it privately in my room tonight?

His mens cologne was strong and bold. I instinctively wrinkled my nose.

I wasnt an idiot; I knew exactly what he meant. I smiled, No thanks, my schedule is a bit packed these days.

Youre turning down such a great opportunity? Ethan clicked his tongue.

Seeing someone approaching, he quickly composed himself and left.

I thought the matter would quietly blow over. But Ethan, true to form, decided to stir up trouble.

While I was getting my makeup done, the director suddenly announced a change: the first scene would now be one where Im humiliated by homeless men.

How can this be? Anya hasnt even had time to memorize the lines! My agent, Gwen, who was visiting the set, exclaimed, clutching the notice. And this scene wasnt even in the original script!

The assistant director grumbled, Whats the big deal? There arent many lines in this scene anyway, just focus on your expressions. Last-minute additions, cuts, and script changes are normal. You guys are always making a fuss. He then rolled his eyes and left.

The entertainment industry was in a downturn, and good roles were hard to come by. Perhaps the director had his reasons. So, I obediently followed instructions.

What I hadn't anticipated was that this was Ethans obedience test, a test that nearly left me with lifelong psychological trauma.

After my makeup change, I lay draped in a transparent veil, half-reclining on a soft chaise.

Soon, several actors entered, dressed in dirty, ragged homeless clothes, their eyes murky.

With a shout of "Action!" several hands began to roam over my body. The scant fabric of my costume, barely covering me, was almost ripped off. Someone even took the opportunity to pinch my waist amidst the chaos, then grinned lewdly at me.

This went far beyond the scope of acting, exceeding my psychological threshold. The set was a cacophony of noise, and I cried out in alarm, "Get off me! Don't touch me!"

Despite clearly breaking character and reacting strongly, no one called "Cut!" The extras didn't stop; they became even more aggressive.

I smashed the liquor decanter nearby. The prop was expensive, and that finally brought them to a halt. My tears and snot had long smeared together, and I hugged myself tightly, trying to catch my breath.

"My apologies, Anya. We just thought you were still in character," the director said casually from behind the camera.

10

I tidied my clothes and went to the monitor room to find the main director. I wanted to tell him that audiences weren't interested in such scenes anymore.

But then I saw Ethan handing him a cigarette. I heard them talking:

Ethan, adding this scene was a good idea, but it probably wont pass censorship.

We can just cut it out later, leave only the wide shots.

Ethan noticed me and walked out. I followed him to an deserted area where several RVs were parked.

Outside the set, a few young girls held up Ethans posters, screaming Brother, brother! frantically.

Anya, I actually really like you. How about we date secretly?

You know how many A-list and B-list actresses and idols have pursued me, and Ive turned them all down.

But if its you I might give it a try. I have a lot of resources. Even if I just drop a few crumbs, itll put you in a much better position than you are now.

He spoke casually, a cigarette held between the fingers of one hand, the other reaching out to touch my face, his expression one of confident determination.

I disgustedly turned my head away, raising an eyebrow. Sorry, I have a boyfriend.

Ethan shrugged, looking nonchalant. Lying to me? If you really do, bring him out. Then I wont bother you.

His agent was looking for him. Luckily, I had been prepared and turned off my phones recording feature, finally feeling a sense of relief.

If it came down to it, it would be a lose-lose situation. At worst, Id just quit acting.

11

As dusk began to fall, I walked towards my trailer, phone in hand.

Finns call came through. He asked if there still hurt, if the swelling had gone down after three days.

Just as I was about to hang up, I suddenly asked, Finn, when are you coming back?

If youre back in the country, could you pick me up from the set?

Perhaps it was the sting of recent humiliations, but a rare catch entered my voice, and my toes unconsciously scuffed the dirt beneath my feet.

Anya, whats wrong? His voice softened deliberately, like he was comforting a child.

I opened my mouth to speak.

Mr. Burke, the client has been waiting for you in the conference room for five minutes. You need to go immediately. His secretary was rushing him to a meeting.

I hung up abruptly, then belatedly tapped my head. We were merely a contract couple.

How could I possibly be acting so vulnerable and childish with him? I must have lost my mind.