The Star I Chose

Lucas knelt outside my house for an entire night.

In the morning, I had someone pour foot-washing water over his head.

“Are you done? Stop acting like a stray dog.”

He trembled.

“If you still hate me, that means I’m still in your heart.”

I kicked his face.

“Who chooses manure over stars?”

“You are manure. Adrian is my star.”

He sobbed.

“You’re not vain. You always loved me.”

“I am vain,” I said. “I love money. Adrian loves me and gives me money. I’m happy. You stingy pig, leave me alone.”

“Guards. Throw him into the trash.”

They dragged him away.

He cried,

“Mia, I only love you!”

Soon after, Lucas was diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer.

He begged to see me one last time.

I did not go.

If he died, the world would have one less beast.

Adrian and I tried on traditional wedding clothes.

The fabric had taken months to make.

I stood in phoenix crown and red embroidered robe, bright as fire.

Adrian stared at me like a worshiper before a goddess.

“My queen is so beautiful.”

“You are always my exception.”

“My only preference.”

I walked to him and held his face.

Real love, I finally understood, did not drain one person to feed another.

It made both people brighter.

After marriage, I often bullied Adrian.

“Why do you like a fierce wife?” I asked. “Don’t men prefer gentle women?”

He hugged me and howled dramatically.

“I don’t love a type. I love you.”

“You bully only me. That means I am honored.”

I laughed in his arms.

I was still fierce.

Still sharp.

Still ambitious.

And he loved me exactly like that.

My company grew.

My designs sold out.

I did not stop working because I married a billionaire.

I would never again become a silent wife behind a man.

My career came first.

My life came first.

Love could be enjoyed.

A man could be cherished.

But I would never again build someone else’s crown while forgetting my own head.

I did not build another man’s throne again.

I built my own.

And this time, I sat on it.