Chapter 1

My mission to the disaster zone was canceled at the last minute.

I arrived home early, expecting a quiet night.

Instead, I was greeted by the suffocating scent of expensive men's cologne.

From the bedroom, I could hear the unmistakable sounds of my wife's heavy breathing.

I glanced at the shoe rack near the door.

A pair of high-end, custom-made leather shoes sat there.

They belonged to Silas Vance, Seraphina's one and only.

I had watched them go to hotels together countless times.

But this was the first time she had brought him into our home.

Finally, even this last sanctuary was tainted.

In the past, I would have stormed in and demanded an explanation.

But this time, I was just drained.

I quietly gathered the clothes scattered across the floor.

Then, I sat on the sofa and waited in the silence.

It was time to end this pathetic excuse for a marriage.

1

With a final grunt from the man, the sounds of lust in the bedroom finally died down.

My aching heart felt a momentary sense of relief.

A few moments later, Seraphina's light laughter echoed through the hallway.

"Stop it, Silas. I'm hungry. I need to eat something first."

"Why don't I just keep filling you up instead?"

"You're terrible."

They stepped out of the room, laughing and teasing each other.

Silas was wearing nothing but a pair of briefs, flaunting his muscular chest.

Seraphina had only a sheer robe thrown over her shoulders.

She clung to Silas's waist, occasionally biting his shoulder playfully.

I sat motionless on the sofa, watching them.

The marks on their skin and the scent lingering from the bedroom made me feel sick.

I felt a wave of nausea hit my stomach.

Silas gave her a deep, lingering kiss.

"You're a greedy little thing. I guess I have to feed you every day or you'll starve."

Seraphina leaned into his chest, playfully hitting his muscles.

"You're the one who can't stay away. Gabriel just left, and you couldn't wait to run over here."

Silas smirked and tapped the tip of her nose.

"The feeling is mutual."

They walked toward the dining table.

Seraphina noticed the takeout I had brought home, and her head snapped toward the sofa.

Her eyes widened in shock.

She quickly grabbed a nearby throw blanket to cover herself.

Silas, however, showed no shame.

He kept his arm around her, looking at me with a look of pure provocation.

Seraphina pushed him away, whispering in his ear.

"Go back inside and get dressed, babe."

Silas looked annoyed, but she firmly ushered him back into the bedroom.

"Listen to me. I'll handle him. Don't worry."

She gave him a soft kiss on the cheek, her eyes full of tenderness.

Silas finally retreated and shut the door.

When Seraphina turned back to me, the flush on her face was gone.

Her expression was cold and distant.

She sat down and opened the food I had bought, eating as if nothing had happened.

"I thought you were heading to the disaster zone tonight. Why are you back?"

I replied flatly, "The hospital had enough staff. They told me to stay back."

"I see. Want some?"

Watching her calm demeanor, I felt the last of my warmth vanish.

The fact that she could act so casual with another man in our house was staggering.

I couldn't help myself. "Was the outside world not enough? You had to bring him here?"

She finally stopped eating and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Are you done?"

I nodded.

"You're the one who insisted on going to the front lines and leaving me alone. That's why I called Silas. If you were home, I wouldn't have let him in."

I shook my head at her logic.

I had hesitated about going, but she was the one who had mocked me.

"Are you even a man?" she had asked. "Your country needs you, and you want to stay home for a woman? No wonder you've been a basic surgeon for years. You have no ambition."

And now, everything was my fault.

In her eyes, even my breathing was probably a mistake.

Since I didn't respond, she continued, "Stop making a scene. I'll have the room professionally cleaned. It won't happen again."

I didn't say a word.

I grabbed my suitcase and walked into the guest room.