Chapter 2

2.

I returned home from the hospital the next morning. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Dominic sitting on the sofa, his expression grim.

He looked up at me, his voice dripping with icy suspicion.

"Still in yesterday's clothes? Where were you fooling around all night?"

I blinked, trying to ignore the bright red lipstick stain on his collar. I walked to the hallway to change my shoes in silence.

Ever since Lexi joined his firm two years ago, Dominic always brought home things that didn't belong to him.

Lipstick marks, hair ties, long strands of blonde hair, or hickeys on his neck.

In the past, I would have screamed. I would have cried until I couldn't breathe, demanding an explanation.

His infidelity had turned me into a woman I didn't recognize―a frantic, broken shell.

He would just watch me with cold eyes, never explaining or comforting me.

He would let me explode like a volcano and then leave me to clean up the emotional ash alone.

For two years, I had lived like a servant waiting for her master to return.

I spent every hour analyzing his moods, trying to figure out how to make him stay.

My friend Joanna once said I put more effort into my marriage than most people put into a multi-million dollar contract.

But now, all I cared about was the tiny life inside me.

Dominic noticed the pharmacy bag in my hand, and a flash of tension crossed his face.

"You went to the hospital? What happened?"

"Nothing," I replied casually, heading for the bedroom to put the medicine away.

Dominic followed me, his voice turning into a sneer.

"You're getting old and dramatic. Running to the doctor for every little sniffle is pathetic."

This was the same man who used to drag me to the ER if I so much as sneezed.

I looked at him calmly and walked into the bathroom to wash up.

When I came out, he was still there, sitting on the sofa and staring at me.

I ignored him and prepared to go to sleep, but he suddenly stood up and grabbed my arm.

"Sera, I didn't even punish you for nearly hurting Lexi yesterday. What kind of stunt are you pulling now?"

I sighed heavily. "I'm not pulling a stunt, Dominic."

"Then why the hell are you wearing that funeral face? You're already plain enough, you don't need to look miserable too."

Before I could respond, his phone rang with a high-pitched chirping sound.

"Dominic, pick up the phone..." It was Lexi's voice, recorded as a custom ringtone.

Dominic glanced at me before answering.

"Dominic, there's a stranger banging on my door! I'm so scared, please come over!" Lexi's panicked sobs filled the room.

"Is the security in your building useless?" Dominic asked, but his hands were already reaching for his keys.

"Hang on, I'm coming right now!"

He hung up and rushed toward the door. Just before leaving, he turned back to offer a rare explanation.

"Something is wrong at Lexi's place. As her boss, I can't just ignore it. I'll be back soon."

I looked at him in surprise. Was he actually explaining himself to me?

But the feeling was gone in a second. I didn't care anymore.

"Okay. Drive safely," I said softly.

"Don't you start being unreason―" Dominic began his usual lecture, but he stopped mid-sentence.

He stared at me, his eyes wide. "What did you just say?"

My voice remained flat. "I told you to be careful on the road."

Dominic stood frozen for a few minutes. "That's it?"

I blinked. "Yes. Shouldn't you leave? Lexi said she's in danger."

He gave me a strange, unreadable look, but he didn't say another word before turning and leaving.