Chapter 4

“Good. It’s better if she’s gone,” Serena said to herself, the corner of her lips lifting slightly as her call with William ended.

Without needing to plan anything further, Camelia had left on her own. There was no dramatic eviction scene. No huge argument. No public tears. Camelia had simply disappeared—and to Serena, it was a perfect victory.

She stood in front of the mirror in her apartment, fixing her loose hair. The black dress she wore wrapped perfectly around her body, highlighting the curves that had managed to captivate William all this time. With her slender fingers, she applied a thin layer of red lipstick to her lips.

“You used to build William’s company together with Camelia,” she murmured softly to her reflection. “Now I’m the one who gets to enjoy it.”

A small laugh escaped her lips.

Without wasting time, Serena grabbed her small handbag and headed to William’s apartment. The night felt warm, city lights sparkling outside her car window. In her mind, she was already imagining her new life—without Camelia’s shadow between them.

Meanwhile, William was still standing in his empty living room. His hands were clenched, his thoughts in turmoil. He had not fully processed Camelia’s departure when the doorbell rang.

Ding dong.

William flinched. With heavy steps, he walked to the door and opened it.

Serena stood there with a sweet smile.

Without waiting for an invitation, she stepped inside and immediately wrapped her arms around William’s neck in a spoiled manner.

“Darling,” she whispered softly, “isn’t it good that Camelia left? We don’t need to drive her out. She’s already gone.”

The sentence slipped lightly from Serena’s lips, as if Camelia’s departure was merely a burden finally lifted.

Yet for some reason, those words felt like something piercing William’s chest.

He did not answer.

He simply stood there in silence.

Serena looked up at him, noticing the tension on his face. “Why are you quiet? This is what we wanted, isn’t it?”

William swallowed. He turned his face away, staring at the sofa now empty of the blanket Camelia used to use. Something felt wrong.

Serena didn’t care. She gently took William’s hand.

“Darling,” her voice turned more seductive, “let’s do it in Camelia’s room. Didn’t you want to fantasize there?”

Her words sounded like a challenge.

Serena stepped closer and kissed William’s neck without hesitation. Her warm breath touched his skin, making his body react instinctively. His hand reflexively gripped Serena’s waist.

They kissed passionately in the now silent living room. Serena clutched the collar of William’s shirt, pulling him closer, as if to make sure he belonged only to her tonight.

But when their steps reached the bedroom—the room that once belonged to Camelia—William suddenly fell silent.

The door was slightly open. The light inside was dim. The large bed looked neat—too neat—without any trace of life.

Serena pulled William inside. “Come on,” she whispered.

They approached the bed.

But just as Serena pushed William to sit on the edge of it, something changed inside him.

Camelia’s image appeared so clearly.

Camelia smiling gently while waiting for him to come home from work. Camelia laughing when he kissed her just to erase her annoyance. Camelia who once begged for his attention with so much love.

And this morning.

Camelia’s different gaze. Colder. More distant.

William suddenly stood up.

Serena looked startled. “What’s wrong?”

William rubbed his face roughly, his breathing uneven. He felt suffocated, as if the room was shrinking.

“I’m sorry, Serena… I can’t.”

Serena’s expression changed. “What do you mean you can’t?”

“I… I can’t do it here.”

“Why? Isn’t this what you wanted? Didn’t you say you were bored with Camelia?”

William fell silent. The words that once came so easily now felt foreign in his own ears.

“I did say that,” he replied softly. “But seeing this room empty… it feels different.”

Serena stared at him sharply. “Don’t tell me you regret it.”

William did not answer immediately.

He walked toward the bedroom window and looked outside. The city lights were still shining, but his heart felt dark.

“I don’t know,” he admitted honestly. “I just… didn’t expect her to really leave.”

Serena clicked her tongue. “So now you miss her?”

“That’s not it,” William replied quickly, though his voice lacked conviction. “I’m just not ready.”

“Not ready?” Serena let out a small, cynical laugh. “William, you’ve been cheating with me for months. What else are you not ready for?”

William closed his eyes for a moment.

He realized—he had been playing with two hearts. He thought he could control everything. He believed Camelia would always stay, no matter what happened.

But reality had slapped him hard.

This empty room was proof that he had lost something—perhaps something bigger than he had ever realized.

Serena stepped closer, no longer as spoiled as before. “You have to choose, William. I will not be the second woman forever.”