Chapter 3

3.

Dominic returned the next morning while I was eating breakfast.

He glanced at the simple bowl of oatmeal on the table, his face souring.

"Sera, where is my breakfast?"

Dominic loved heavy, greasy food in the morning, while I preferred something light.

In the past, I always cooked what he wanted. I would slave over bacon, eggs, and pancakes at 6 AM just to see him smile.

But the doctor had warned me about my health and the baby, so I was sticking to a strict diet.

"There's oatmeal in the pot," I said, not looking up.

"You know I hate oatmeal," he growled.

"Then go eat out."

The words felt strange coming out of my mouth. I had never denied him a meal before.

But the image of my pot roast in the dog bowl was burned into my mind.

"You can't even cook a simple meal anymore? What use are you then?" Dominic yelled, pointing a finger at my face.

I swallowed my last bite and looked up at him.

For the first time, I saw how ugly he looked when he was throwing a tantrum.

"Maybe we should just―"

I was interrupted by Lexi calling again.

"Dominic, it's my birthday tomorrow. Could you ask Sera to bake me a cake?"

"I heard she's a great baker, and I've been dying to try some."

Dominic agreed without even asking me.

Before he could even relay the request, I spoke firmly. "I won't do it."

Dominic's brow pinched together in anger.

"Lexi didn't even file a complaint when you hurt her leg. Why can't you just bake a damn cake?"

"Stop acting like a bitter housewife and stop being so petty."

His insults didn't hurt like they used to. I felt nothing but a cold void.

"Dominic, I'm pregnant."

He froze for a few seconds, and then a mocking laugh escaped his lips.

"Sera, we've been married for years and you never got pregnant. Now that I ask for a cake, suddenly you are?"

"If you don't want to do it, just say so. Don't use such a pathetic lie."

I looked at him, my heart sinking. "I'm serious. I'm actually pregnant."

Dominic rolled his eyes. "Keep acting, then. You're a regular Meryl Streep."

"You're making that cake whether you like it or not. If you don't, we're getting a divorce."

It wasn't the first time he had threatened divorce. Every other time, I had surrendered instantly.

He always assumed I would do anything to keep him.

This time, I just tilted my head and spoke quietly. "Fine. Let's get a divorce then."

Dominic sneered. "You're getting bold, Sera. Now you're even playing along with the divorce threat?"

"I don't have time for your little games. I'll pick you up tomorrow. Lexi wants you at her party."

"And for God's sake, don't wear red like a fool again. You're almost thirty. Red just makes you look old and desperate."

Last year, at the company gala, I had worn a stunning red dress.

When I arrived, I realized Lexi was wearing the exact same shade.

Dominic had laughed at me in front of everyone, calling me a try-hard who looked like a sack of potatoes.

Since then, he never took me to public events. Lexi was always the one on his arm.

But what he didn't know was that the red dress had been a gift sent to me by Lexi, pretending to be from him.