LOGINTristan set the phone down and stood up, reaching across the desk to clasp my hands in his. "Ms. Serena Hayes, as it stands, I have a clean record. No internet girlfriends, and a failed attempt at a divorce."He smiled through his tears, his eyes filled with sincerity. "So, may I have the honor of taking you out sometime?"I playfully pulled my hand back and lifted my chin. "We'll see how you perform. I'm not exactly an easy catch."Tristan came around the desk, picked me up, and spun me once around the study. "Good thing I have plenty of time and enough patience to last a lifetime."…Half a year later, Tristan kept his word.He threw himself completely into winning me back. The cold, aloof Tristan of the past was gone, completely replaced by an absolute stage-five clinger.He learned how to cook, even if it tasted awful.He learned how to buy flowers even if his taste in arrangements left a lot to be desired.And he even learned to rub my stomach when I was on my period inst
That was why I hid behind indifference. I only ever dared to shower Tristan with affection, whimpering and pouring my heart out online, where I could hide behind a mask."That's not it…" My denial sounded incredibly weak, and tears began spilling down my cheeks despite my best efforts to hold them back.Tristan let out a soft sigh, reaching out to gently hold my wrist. His palm was burning, but his grip felt steady."Serena, come here."I stood frozen in place.Tristan gave a firm tug, and I stumbled down onto the edge of the bed. Before I could move away, he wrapped his arms around me and buried his face against my stomach."Just admit it," he murmured, his voice sounding entirely muffled against the fabric. "You love me, the same way I love you."I'm not accepting that divorce. As for that 50 million dollars, consider it your performance bonus for keeping up the act for three years. But I'm not recasting my leading lady."I could feel his temperature through the thin fabric
The glass shattered, shards spraying across the room.Tristan grabbed his head in agony, sinking to the floor as he burst into loud, hysterical sobs. "Serena… Why did you do this to me? Why did all of it have to be fake?"As I stared at his trembling shoulders, the phone slipped right out of my fingers and clattered onto the floor.I collapsed onto the floor, completely drained of my strength.Somewhere in this ridiculous game of secret identities and tailored affection, I had actually lost my own heart to him a long time ago. I had just been too terrified to admit it to myself.After that night, Tristan came down with a fever that quickly turned into pneumonia.He lay unconscious in the master bedroom, his face flushed and burning. Every so often, he'd start mumbling in his sleep, calling for Serena one moment, Maisie the next, and then Graham.I didn't leave. Seeing him in this state, I couldn't bring myself to walk away.I stayed by his side, feeding him medication, wiping d
The bodyguard didn't so much as blink as he said, "Mr. Pierce tore up the divorce papers, and since the two of you never finalized anything at the courthouse, you're still legally Mrs. Pierce. Please come with us. Don't make this harder than it has to be."I was taken back to the mansion by force.The living room looked like it had been through a storm. Empty bottles and cigarette butts covered the floor, and the curtains had been pulled shut so tightly that not even a sliver of light could get in.Tristan sat in the middle of the couch with a cigarette between his fingers, the ember at the tip glowing faintly in the dark.Hearing the door click, he lifted his head.After one night, stubble had already shadowed his jaw. Dark circles sat beneath his eyes, and he looked utterly exhausted."You're back."His voice was hoarse, but it was the calmness in it that made my skin crawl."This is kidnapping, Tristan." I stood by the entryway, watching him warily."A domestic dispute be
Tristan held up the phone, veins popping on the back of his hand. "Serena, explain yourself."I opened my mouth, but my throat was too dry to make a sound. Part of me wanted to scramble for a lie the way I used to. I could've said a friend had borrowed my phone, or that it was a practical joke. But under his piercing gaze, any excuse would immediately fall apart.The evidence was right there.Taking a deep breath, I lifted my chin and looked him dead in the eye. Then, I reached for the phone in his hand. "Give it back. That's my private property."Tristan let out a bitter scoff, taking a step back to dodge my hand. Right in front of my face, he unlocked the screen and began scrolling through the interface."Maisie, huh?" he sneered. "What a perfect little act."He tapped on another icon."WildRose? The rock enthusiast who used to debate track lists with me on the forums was you, too?"He kept scrolling."MidnightConfidant? The person who sent me daily mindfulness articles
I reached out and gently brushed the damp strands of hair away from Tristan's forehead before muttering, "Stop being so foolish."I was just about to stand up to grab a glass of water when Tristan suddenly moved. His hand shot out and caught my wrist with startling strength.Startled, I whipped my head back around only to find his eyes wide open. They were bloodshot and unfocused, still hazy from the fever."Maisie… Don't go…"I tried to wrench myself free from his grip. "Open your eyes and look at me! It's me, Serena!""Serena?"Tristan blinked, his gaze struggling to focus as he tried to piece together my face. After a pause, a bitter chuckle escaped his lips before he loosened his grip."Right. Serena left, and Maisie doesn't want me either… I have absolutely nothing now."He rolled over, burying his face into the pillow, his voice completely muffled. "Serena, do you want to know a secret? There were times… when Maisie reminded me so much of you, especially when she wasn't t







