Chapter 2

2.

Lying in bed, I couldn't stop the memories of the past five years from flooding back.

When Silas and I first started dating, he was actually wonderful.

He used to swear that as long as he was with me, even the air tasted sweet.

If I said a single word, he would drop everything at work to be by my side.

He used to be so protective.

He'd get jealous of any male friend I had.

He even vetted my female friends to make sure they were good influences.

He took care of every little detail of my life.

Back then, people called his love overbearing, but I cherished it.

But now, he isn't that man anymore.

And I am no longer the woman whose entire world centers on him.

Just then, my phone vibrated on the pillow.

I tapped the screen.

It was a message from Jade Holloway, Silas's secretary.

"Silas, today was the best birthday of my life. Thank you for being there. I'm so happy."

"By the way, I posted a surprise for you on my private story. Go check it out."

I stared at the screen, dazed. Before I could process it, the message was unsent.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry Seraphina! I sent that to the wrong person. Please don't be mad at me."

I let out a mocking snort and tossed the phone aside.

Sent it to the wrong person? Or sent it exactly where she wanted?

When I first met Jade, she was just a fresh college grad.

She was clueless and getting bullied by her coworkers.

Once, she made a massive mistake that almost got her fired.

She came to me crying, telling me about her toxic family and how much she needed this job.

I gave her a second chance. I personally mentored her and taught her the ropes.

That was how she caught Silas's eye in the first place.

Later, when Silas asked to make her his personal secretary, I didn't think twice. I was actually happy for her.

Who would have thought that such a sweet-looking girl would be so calculating?

The woman I raised up was the one who stabbed me in the back.

The next morning, I booked a flight home. Then, I went straight to the office and handed in my resignation.

Looking at the letter on his desk, Silas looked stunned.

"Are you serious?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

I asked him back with a smile.

Silas went silent.

After a long while, he spoke. "Stay. The company needs you."

"The company doesn't belong to just one person."

I didn't wait for his approval. I turned to walk out.

But the moment I reached the door, Silas rushed over and grabbed my arm.

"Two days!"

I looked back at him.

There was a rare flicker of panic on his face.

"In two days, once I finish this project, I'll take you to the courthouse. Just trust me one more time, okay?"

I looked at him calmly.

I didn't give him an answer.

"Just give me one more chance, Seraphina?"

He looked genuinely nervous, as if my answer actually mattered to him.

A thought crossed my mind. If I told him right now that I was getting married―to the older brother who had always outshone him―how would he react?

I didn't say a word. I just walked away.

Back at the apartment, I looked at the study filled with photos of our life together.

I didn't feel sentimental. I just felt annoyed.

I started pulling them down, throwing them into a metal bin to burn them.

Halfway through, Silas burst through the door. He was supposed to be at work.