Chapter 2

I never knew why his sweet words always melted me. Was it because I still loved him? Or because I was too stupid to see the lies behind his gentle eyes?

Derek held me tightly in front of the elevator, his hand rubbing my back gently, a touch I hadn't felt in a long time. His signature scent, the scent that made me fall in love at first sight at a small cafe in Paris 3 years ago.

"Forgive me. I was so stupid. I was stressed with work, with my father's pressure, with all the demands. Anita was just an escape. But you're my wife and the only one I love."

I fell silent. My fists, which had been clenched, slowly relaxed. Tears streamed down my cheeks, not tears of anger, but tears longing for sweet words I hadn't heard in so long.

"I saw you two. I saw her underwear on your desk," I said.

"I know and I'm ashamed but please..." he looked down, meeting my eyes with that pleading gaze that had always managed to melt my heart. "Give me one more chance. I promise I'll end everything with Anita. I'll be a good husband. We can start everything over from the beginning."

My heart pounded hard. Inside my head, a voice screamed: He's lying. He'll do it again. Don't trust him.

But deep in my chest, there was a weak part, the part that still loved him.

I nodded slowly. "One chance, but if you betray me again..."

"I won't," he cut in quickly. He kissed my forehead, a kiss that once felt warm, now felt like a bandage over a gaping wound. "I promise."

^^^

We went home to the mansion that night.

It actually belonged to Nathaniel, but since Derek's mother died ten years ago, Nathaniel asked us to live here.

"It's too big for me alone," he said back then. "You're still young and you deserve to fill this house with laughter and children."

I never gave him a grandchild. Derek always said he wasn't ready. Now I knew why, he was busy with Anita in his office.

The long black teak dining table could seat twenty people, but tonight there were only three of us: me, Derek, and Nathaniel at the opposite end.

Servants in black and white uniforms moved silently, serving truffle soup and wagyu steak.

Nathaniel looked at us in turn, his sharp grey eyes like an eagle watching its prey. He chewed his meat slowly, then set down his knife and fork perfectly.

"So," he said, his voice heavy and calm, "you two have made up?"

Derek smiled broadly, that handsome smile that once made me fall in love. He reached for my hand across the table, gripping it tightly.

"Yes, Father. We just had a small misunderstanding. Seraphina has been a bit paranoid lately."

I turned to Derek quickly. Paranoid?

Derek continued, "You know how Sera gets jealous for no reason. I've explained everything. Anita is just my work assistant, nothing more. But Sera..." he chuckled lightly, "she saw something that wasn't there. Maybe because she's been home too much and doesn't have enough to do."

I froze. My fingers, clasped in his, felt like they were trapped in chains.

"But everything's fine now," Derek said, kissing the back of my hand. "Sera understands now. She's going to quit working at the office and focus on home. Isn't that right, darling?"

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. His eyes turned to me, waiting for an answer.

I swallowed hard. Under the table, my legs were trembling. I wanted to scream, "He's lying! I saw Anita's underwear! I saw them!"

But the words got stuck in my throat.

"Yes, we've made up," I said.

Derek smiled smugly. His hand squeezed my fingers too hard, like a hidden warning.

Nathaniel stared at me for a long moment. There was something in his eyes, disappointment?

"Good," Nathaniel finally said, raising his wine glass. "To your happiness."

I raised my glass with trembling hands. As the red wine touched my lips, it tasted bitter like bile.

^^^

After dinner, Derek was still being very sweet. He opened the bedroom door for me, lit lavender aromatherapy candles beside the bed, even massaged my back with essential oils. His touch was gentle, attentive like back when we were newlyweds.

"You know," he whispered in my ear, "I missed this. Missed you."

I closed my eyes, letting myself drown in the illusion. Maybe he was right, maybe I was too paranoid.

His hand crept to my waist, pulling me closer. His lips traced down my neck, warm, soft, full of desire.

"You're so beautiful. I never stopped loving you," he said.

I almost believed it.

But as his hand began to unbutton my shirt, his phone vibrated loudly on the nightstand. Derek groaned in annoyance, reaching for the phone. His eyes narrowed reading the screen.

"I have to go," he said suddenly, standing and straightening his shirt. "There's an urgent matter at the office. A problem with the financial reports."

I stared at him. My heartbeat was erratic. Urgent matter? At eleven at night?

"But?"

"Sorry, darling. This is important." He kissed my forehead quickly, then walked to the closet to grab his jacket. "You go to sleep. I'll be back as soon as I can."

The bedroom door closed. I heard his footsteps fading down the hallway.

I knew his lie. Earlier, when the screen lit up, I caught a glimpse of the name that appeared: Anita.

Tears fell, but this time I didn't cry. I just sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the door, feeling my own stupidity.