Chapter 3

3

After her outburst, Seraphina realized she had lost control.

She had accidentally let her true feelings slip.

She looked at me, trembling with panic.

"No... I didn't mean it like that. I meant... I'm just not ready to be a mother yet. Don't misunderstand."

I knew exactly what she was thinking.

To ensure Sterling's happiness, she viewed marrying me as a noble sacrifice.

Deep down, she had never truly accepted me.

Standing nearby, Sterling chimed in with a smirk.

"Well, it looks like Seraphina's had a bit too much to drink today. Maybe you should take her home?…"

I didn't say a word.

I just gave a polite nod and led her away.

On the drive back, Seraphina sat in the passenger seat in total silence.

She stared out the window the whole time.

Her hollow expression made me grip the steering wheel tighter.

Because of Sterling, Meredith and I had broken up and gotten back together too many times to count.

Eventually, we chose a peaceful end.

During my darkest days, Seraphina's appearance relit my world.

She was like a bonfire in winter, melting the ice around my heart.

If I hadn't heard those words from her own mouth, I never would have believed it.

I never would have believed the woman I gathered the courage to love again was a total fraud.

Halfway home, Seraphina's phone buzzed.

A spark of joy flashed in her dull eyes after she glanced at the message.

She immediately told me to pull over.

"My friend said that bag I wanted is finally in stock. I really want to check it out. Why don't you just head home first?…"

As she spoke, she unbuckled her seatbelt and hopped out of the car.

She brushed off my offer to drive her there.

She wasn't going to look at a bag.

Sterling must have said something to trigger such a drastic mood swing.

Once I was home alone, I pulled out our wedding photos.

In every single picture, Seraphina was radiant with happiness.

I had to admit, she was a phenomenal actress.

She didn't have a shred of love for me, yet she played the part for five whole years.

It was nearly midnight when she finally came home.

Her face was flushed, but she wasn't carrying any shopping bags.

Noticing my questioning look, she gave a sheepish grin.

"I was going to buy it, but once I saw it in person, it didn't really suit me."

"Plus, it was a bit overpriced. Even if we can afford it, we shouldn't be reckless with money."

Lying was as natural as breathing for her.

She was the type of person who would do anything to get what she wanted.

For a concert she liked, she'd stay on her phone for a week just to snag tickets.

She wouldn't just walk away from a bag she truly wanted.

The only thing she had ever truly given up on was Sterling.

And now, it seemed she hadn't even done that.

While she was in the shower, I checked her phone.

The wallpaper was still the first photo we ever took together.

Her chat history with Sterling was completely empty.

She had obviously wiped it clean.

She was smart, but not quite careful enough.

Her delivery app history was still there.

A few hours ago, she had booked a room at a boutique hotel.

She had also ordered a delivery of protection essentials.

I put the phone back and leaned against the sofa, letting out a dry laugh.

I didn't know how to describe her.

Was she incredibly devoted, or just pathetic?

How could she throw herself at a man like that?

I thought I would be furious, but I felt strangely calm.

In fact, I felt lucky.

I was lucky I found out now, while I still had time to escape.