Chapter 5

Serena’s pov

I cried myself to sleep that night.

I sat alone in the huge bedroom while my messages kept failing one after another.

Every failed message felt like another slap to my face.

My husband blocked me like I was some stranger bothering him.

At some point, I stopped texting.

I just sat there holding my phone while tears rolled down my cheeks endlessly.

The empty side of the bed mocked me all night.

I barely slept.

And when I finally woke up the next morning, Damian still had not come home.

My chest tightened immediately.

Something felt wrong.

I pushed myself out of bed slowly and grabbed my phone again instinctively.

Still blocked.

I swallowed hard.

No.

I could not stay inside the house doing nothing.

Maybe there was an explanation.

Maybe Ethan was wrong.

I changed clothes quickly and headed downstairs.

The staff greeted me carefully during breakfast, but I barely touched the food in front of me.

Anxiety twisted inside my chest badly now.

Finally, I grabbed my bag and left for Cole’s company.

The company tower stood proudly in the middle of downtown like always. The massive glass building reflected sunlight across the city while luxury cars filled the private entrance below.

The moment I stepped inside, the employees straightened immediately.

“Good morning, Mrs. Cole.”

“Good morning, ma’am.”

I forced small smiles at them while heading toward the executive elevator.

When the elevator opened on the top floor, I walked directly toward Damian’s office.

But the moment I entered, I froze.

Damian was not there.

Only Ethan sat inside while looking through documents near the desk.

He looked surprised to see me.

“Serena?”

“Where’s Damian?” I asked immediately.

“I thought he went home.”

My heart sank.

“He didn’t.”

I looked around the massive room helplessly.

Damian’s suit jacket rested over the couch. His laptop sat open on the desk beside untouched coffee.

But he was nowhere.

I turned back toward Ethan quickly.

“Can I use your phone?”

He frowned but handed it over immediately.

I dialed Damian’s number fast.

The call rang once.

Twice.

Then voicemail.

I called again.

No answer.

Again.

Nothing.

I lowered the phone slowly while my stomach twisted harder.

Ethan looked uncomfortable now. “Maybe he’s in a meeting.”

“He blocked my number,” I whispered.

His eyes widened slightly.

“What?”

I looked away quickly before the tears in my eyes could fall again.

“I need to find him.”

Without waiting for another response, I handed the phone back and walked out of the office.

The driver followed me downstairs immediately.

“Ma’am, where to?”

I paused for a second.

Then suddenly, I knew exactly where Damian would be.

“The lake house,” I said quietly.

The driver nodded immediately.

The lake house.

Damian’s favorite place.

A private property hidden outside the city near the water.

Whenever work overwhelmed him, he went there to think.

He once told me it was the only place where his mind felt peaceful.

We often spent weekends there together and we planned to go there before the baby comes.

The drive felt endless.

My hands stayed tightly clasped over my stomach the entire time.

Please don’t let him be with her.

Please.

But deep inside, fear already prepared me for disappointment.

An hour later, the gates of the lake house finally appeared.

The black SUV slowed near the driveway. Damian’s car was already parked outside.

My breathing became uneven immediately.

No.

No.

I stepped out before the driver could even open the door for me properly.

The lake stretched peacefully behind the large modern house while sunlight reflected beautifully across the water.

My heart stuttered to a stop when I saw Damian and Liliana sitting together near the dock.

Liliana laughed softly at something he said.

Anger rushed through me so fast that I almost felt dizzy.

I walked toward them immediately.

Neither noticed me at first.

“Damian.”

My voice came out sharp enough to make both of them turn.

The smile disappeared from Damian’s face instantly.

“Serena?”

I stopped in front of them breathing hard.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded.

He stood immediately. “Calm down.”

“Calm down?” I laughed bitterly. “You blocked me.”

Liliana looked awkward now as she stood too.

I pointed toward the lake house angrily. “Why would you bring her here?”

He rubbed one hand over his face. “Serena, let’s talk properly.”

“No.” My voice shook harder now. “This is our place.”

“Serena—”

“You lied to me.” Tears burned my eyes again. “You said you were at work.”

Damian stepped closer carefully. “Lower your voice.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“You disappeared for two nights,” I continued loudly. “You blocked your pregnant wife, and now you’re here with her?”

“Enough.”

“No, not enough!” I snapped.

My chest rose and fell heavily now.

I turned to Liliana.

“What exactly are you hoping to gain from chasing a married man?”

She blinked in shock.

“Serena,” Damian warned.

But I was too angry to stop now.

“You walk into my house pretending to be innocent while sneaking around with my husband?”

“That’s not what’s happening,” she said softly.

“Please.” I laughed bitterly. “You should feel ashamed.”

Damian’s expression darkened instantly.

“You are disgusting,” I spat at her.

The slap came so suddenly that my entire body froze. Pain exploded across my cheek as my head snapped sideways.

For one horrifying second, complete silence filled the air.

I slowly lifted my hand to my face. The side of my skin burned and my ears rang from where he had hit me.

Damian had slapped me.

Damian.

My husband.

The father of my child.

Shock crashed through my body so hard that I could barely breathe.

Even Liliana looked stunned now.

Damian pointed a finger at me angrily.

“Why are you attacking her like this?” he snapped.

I stared at him with wide eyes as tears slid slowly down my cheeks.

“You slapped me,” I whispered. My voice sounded broken.

His jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

I pressed one trembling hand against my stomach instinctively.

“I’m pregnant with your child.”

“Shut up,” he snapped immediately.

I flinched again.

His eyes looked cold now like I meant nothing.

“You’ve forgotten your place,” he continued harshly.

My chest tightened painfully.

“What?”

Damian looked directly into my eyes.

“You were always just a replacement for Liliana,” he said coldly. “She’s the real love of my life.”