Valeria knew she had hit the mark.

"Did I guess it? You two had a fight? Tilda, why not open up to me? I might have some advice."

Tilda's thoughts churned, torn over whether to share her turmoil with someone.

At that moment, a figure approached. "Valeria, shouldn't you head to makeup removal?"

“What's the hurry?" Valeria replied, a trace of annoyance in her frown.

Tilda glanced up, recognizing the newcomer, and paused before offering a warm smile. "Hutton, it's you! Here to see Valeria today?"

Hutton grinned. "Got here yesterday. You'll probably see me around a lot for a bit."

Tilda blinked, surprised. "Why's that?" "I'm temporarily filling in as Valeria's personal assistant." Tilda's eyes widened in curiosity. What was happening?

Valeria pouted. "Tilda, my assistant had to step away for personal reasons, so I'm hunting for a new one. Got any recommendations?"

Tilda glanced at Hutton, then back at Valeria. "You're still looking for an assistant? Isn't there one standing right here?"

Hutton nodded. "And I'm working for free."

Valeria laughed. "Nothing's free in this world. I'd rather hire someone and pay them properly."

Hutton met her gaze and nodded. "Fair point, Valeria. How about twenty thousand a month?"

Valeria shot him a look. "Twenty thousand? For you? Why not rob a bank instead?"

Hutton didn't miss a beat. "What's the standard rate for a personal assistant?"

"Eight thousand during probation," Valeria fired back. Hutton nodded. "Deal."

His swift acceptance caught Valeria off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless, realizing she might have just hired him by accident.

She rolled her eyes. "Ugh, go away. Don't interrupt our chat."

"Alright," Hutton said, flashing Tilda a smile before stepping back.

Tilda watched their banter, amused. It looked like sparks of romance were in store.

"Valeria, Hutton seems like a solid guy," Tilda said, unable to resist putting in a good word.

Valeria looked down, twisting her fingers. "Plenty of good guys exist, but not all of them make good husbands."

Tilda couldn't disagree. Much like her and Lyndon, though bound by marriage, their connection felt hollow, a union in name alone. She sighed inwardly, her heart heavy.

Valeria, reading her somber expression, pressed gently, "Tilda, what's going on with you and your husband? What happened?"