Chapter 3

3.

I ran into Weston at the office around noon.

He strolled up to my desk with a smug grin, looking like he owned the place.

"Kaelen, do you want to know what Seraphina told me in bed last night? She said she's been bored to death by how stiff and unromantic you are. Only I know how to give her what she really wants."

"Don't think you can just sit in that 'CEO's Husband' chair forever. Sooner or later, Seraphina is going to kick you to the curb and marry me."

He watched my face closely, waiting for a breakdown. He looked disappointed when I didn't even flinch.

I reached into my drawer, pulled out the divorce papers, and handed them to him with a calm smile.

"If you can get her to sign these, the chair is all yours."

He stared at the papers, confused and suspicious.

"What kind of game are you playing? I don't believe for a second you'd give up this life so easily."

Even as he said it, he tucked the papers into a pile of business documents, planning to trick Seraphina into signing them.

I checked my watch. My heart felt heavy, but steady.

I had twenty-four hours left.

Resigning was easy. Everyone at the office assumed Seraphina had finally fired me. I finished the paperwork in minutes.

A colleague I was somewhat close to invited me out for a quick farewell lunch.

Right next to the restaurant was a high-end baby boutique. Through the window, I saw Seraphina.

She was leaning on Weston's arm, looking radiant, telling the clerk she wanted the absolute best of everything for her baby.

My colleague nudged my arm and sighed.

"The boss is already a month along. Don't take it too hard, Kaelen. Everyone knows she's been waiting for him for years. It makes sense she'd want to start a family right away."

I let out a bitter, silent laugh.

Before we got married, Seraphina had insisted I get a vasectomy.

She told me she hated children. She said she didn't have the patience or the energy to raise a kid.

Because I loved her and respected her, I went to the clinic without a single hesitation.

And now, eight years later, someone was telling me she was pregnant.

She couldn't wait to carry a child for the man she actually loved.

I felt like a pathetic clown, a joke of a man who had sacrificed his own future for a lie.

Before I could turn away, Weston caught my eye. He walked toward me, looking down his nose at me.

"Actually, Kaelen, I changed my mind. I don't want you to divorce Seraphina yet."

"Raising a kid is a lot of work. I think you'd make an excellent nanny for our baby. I'm sure you'd be happy to help, right?"

I flashed him a cold, mocking smile.

"Too bad for you. It's not your choice anymore."

"Oh? Well, let's see if Seraphina agrees with me."

He started to call out to her, and I immediately turned to leave.

I didn't want any more drama. I just wanted to disappear quietly.

But luck wasn't on my side.

Seraphina's voice, cold as ice, stopped me in my tracks.

"Kaelen Reed! How many times do I have to tell you? Show some damn respect to Weston! Why the hell are you making that face?"

I stopped, feeling the absurdity of it all.

Even with my back turned, I was wrong. As long as Weston was involved, even my breathing was an offense.

Weston played the martyr, acting like the bigger man.

"It's okay, Seraphina. Don't be hard on him. My suggestion was a bit much, and it clearly upset him."

Seraphina asked him what he meant. When he told her, she actually nodded.

She stepped forward and blocked my path, looking annoyed.

"You heard him. Go home and draft an agreement. You'll be responsible for raising our child. Do you understand?"

My shoulders shook with a silent, helpless tremor. Of course she would agree to his insane demands.

I nodded slowly. "Fine," I whispered.

A look of surprise flashed across Seraphina's face. Her cold expression thawed slightly, and she actually reached out to pat my head like I was a good dog.

"See? That's better. The CEO's husband needs to have some class."

Her voice grew uncharacteristically soft. She looked at me with something almost like affection, maybe even pity.

"I had a designer make those matching rings you liked. Tomorrow is our eighth anniversary. I'll put it on your finger myself."

"And don't worry about cooking tonight. I'll pick you up after we're done shopping and take you out to dinner."

Playing the obedient husband was easier this time because I knew it was the last time. I just nodded again.

She walked away, satisfied, telling me to wait for her at home.

The moment she was gone, I went home, packed my final bag, and boarded the helicopter waiting for me.

I signed the papers to erase my identity without a single regret.