Chapter 3

Derek didn't come home that night. I stared at the bedroom ceiling until morning, my eyes stinging from holding back tears. Every creak of the floor in the hallway made me hope, maybe he came back, maybe he remembered his promise. But no, he never returned.

I already knew where he was, Anita's embrace, wet underwear on the desk. A late night text message. All clues pointed to the same conclusion: I was stupid for trusting him once again.

At 7 in the morning, I finally got up. My body felt heavy, as if crushed by a thousand stones. I took a warm shower, trying to wash away the shame and pain that clung to my skin. In the mirror, I stared at my fat body, the folds on my stomach, my wide thighs, my chubby arms. I turned, assessing myself from every angle, and tears fell again.

This was my fault. If I were thin and beautiful like Anita, Derek wouldn't have left. He wouldn't have sought lust in another woman.

I grabbed a towel, dried my body roughly, then put on a simple grey house dress, a color that reflected my heart.

In the dining room, the long teak table was already set with breakfast: warm croissants, homemade strawberry jam, fresh fruits, and black coffee with its pungent aroma. Servants moved silently, pouring orange juice into glasses.

Nathaniel was already seated at the end of the table. A black suit, silver tie, his hair perfectly combed. He was reading a financial newspaper, his face flat and expressionless, void of emotion.

I sat across from him, in my usual chair. I tried to smile, forming a small curve on my lips. But the smile shattered before it could fully form. Tears just spilled over. I looked down, covering my face with both hands, my shoulders heaving with sobs.

Nathaniel didn't move. He just stared at me from behind his glasses.

"I'm sorry," I sobbed, my voice catching between cries. "I can't hold it in. Derek didn't come home last night. He went to Anita. I know because I saw her name on his phone."

Nathaniel lowered his newspaper. His eyes stared at me without blinking.

"But it's my fault," I continued, my hand wiping my wet cheeks. "If my body weren't like this, if I were thin and slim like Anita, maybe he wouldn't have left. Maybe he'd still love me. I've tried everything. Diets, exercise, diet pills, but my body stays like this. I can't change and I can never be good enough for your son."

I sobbed harder, my chest tight. "I can't take it anymore. I can't continue this marriage. I'm tired of being treated like trash. I'm tired of being loved only when he needs something. I'm tired of being a laughingstock at the office, at home, everywhere. I..."

I stopped myself. What was I even telling him for? He was Derek's father and he'd always defend his son. No matter how much I complained, no matter how much Derek hurt me, in the end, blood was thicker than tears.

I stared at Nathaniel with swollen eyes, ready to hear Derek's defense.

But Nathaniel didn't speak. He just looked at me, then slowly, he stood from his chair. His black jacket fell neatly, his hand straightened his tie. His steps were quiet, silent on the thick carpet, as he walked around the table toward me.

I stared at him in confusion.

"Derek didn't come home. I know. I saw his car parked at Anita's apartment until three in the morning."

I swallowed hard. "You knew?"

"I always know everything, Seraphina." He stopped right beside my chair, looking down at me. "But you're wrong about one thing. It's not your body that made Derek leave. Derek left because he's a coward who was never mature enough to appreciate what he had. This isn't your fault."

Tears flowed again. "But..."

"No buts." His strong fingers lifted, touching my chin, raising my face to look at him. "There's a board of directors meeting at ten today. You're my secretary and you need to get ready."

I laughed bitterly.

"For what? For what should I dress nicely, put on makeup, go to the office, hear employees whisper insults about my body, only to end up being a mockery anyway? For what should I work if my own husband doesn't even consider me worthy?"

I stared at Nathaniel with eyes full of despair. "You'll never understand, Father. Because you've never been the one insulted every single day because of your body. You've never been the one whose husband chose another woman because you were too fat. You..."

I stopped. My words caught in my throat.

Nathaniel was still staring at me.

"You think I don't understand? I've been watching my son for years. I know every lie, every betrayal, and I've prepared everything to destroy him if he ever hurt you."

My eyes widened. "What?"

Nathaniel leaned down, his face close to mine, our breaths mingling, our lips only inches apart. I could feel the warmth from his strong body. My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could hear it.

"There's one thing you don't know yet. I didn't offer you the position as my secretary to help you watch Derek. I offered it because I wanted you close to me."

I was shocked. "Father?"

"Call me daddy," he cut in, his fingers moving from my chin to my cheek, wiping away the still-wet tears.

I swallowed hard, my body trembling. "This is crazy. You're my father-in-law."

"And Derek is your husband who betrayed you. I've prepared everything. Evidence of embezzlement, recordings of the affair, and divorce papers with a clause that gives you 70 percent of the assets."

"Why are you doing this for me?" I asked.

"From the moment you first stepped into this house in your white dress on your wedding day, I knew I'd made a huge mistake by letting Derek marry you."

He moved closer. I backed away slowly, my back hitting the wall. Nathaniel caged me with both arms, trapping me between his strong body and the cold wall.

"Are you scared?" he asked.

"This is wrong."

"Let it be wrong." His face came closer, his lips almost touching my ear. "You deserve a man who treats you like a queen, and I'll give you that, along with Derek's downfall."

I remained silent, my heart pounding wildly.

"You only need one word. Say yes, and Derek will lose everything."

I stared at him, the man ready to destroy his own son for me.

"Yes."

Nathaniel smiled, his hand reaching for mine, gripping it tightly.

"Let's destroy Derek," he said.

I pulled my hand away roughly. "Why would you want to destroy your son?"