Chapter 3

After scheduling the abortion, I submitted my application to Wyrmvale University.

Ever since my mother passed, my father had stopped treating me like his daughter. He never supported anything I wanted to do and only cared about marrying me off for money.

After leaving Evan, I had no home to return to. Fortunately, he had given me enough over the years to live comfortably for the rest of my life.

After doing all that, I received a photo from Serena. It was a photo of Evan, who was sound asleep. His chest was bare, and her hand rested on the spot where he had tattooed SH.

"Judging from how you reacted today, you probably already know what happened between Evan and me. So, I'll drop the act. Do yourself a favor and leave him.

"He's mine. If you refuse, I'll have him throw you out. Don't believe me? Just wait and see."

How could I not believe her? We had just met, and I had already lost everything. I had even come close to losing my child.

I replied, "Oh? What exactly are you going to do?"

Serena responded almost immediately, "First, I'll kick you out of his house. After all, Evan and I can't do anything while you're around. Trust me, if I tell him I don't want to see you, he won't let you through the door; you'll rot in that hospital for the rest of your life!"

I ignored her. To be honest, the feeling was mutual. I didn't want to see them either.

However, I thought it was ridiculous for me to be thrown out.

…

Early the next morning, Evan came to visit me with several bags of things. He gently caressed the red marks on my neck. "Don't worry. I've already fired those chefs. I won't let anyone or anything hurt you again."

I merely hummed in response. Instinctively, I dodged his touch.

Realizing I wasn't happy, he comforted me softly. "Serena is a friend of mine. She just returned to the country, so I need to look after her a little. Don't be mad at me, okay, honey?"

Any other woman would have melted the moment the CEO of Blackwell Group swallowed his pride and apologized to them. Yet, I merely turned my head away and hummed in response.

Evan sighed. "I'm going to be busy for the next few days. I don't trust the housekeepers to look after you, so stay in the hospital and get some rest. I'll assign the best doctors to you."

I turned around and smiled at him. "You merely don't want me home, do you?"

His brows drew together, and his patience thinned. "What are you on about? I'm worried about your health. You've been way too sensitive lately, Selena. You were never this unreasonable."

Right after saying that, he took a look at his wristwatch. "That's settled, then. I have something to attend to, so I'll be taking my leave."

I watched him hurry out the door with a bitter smile. It didn't take long before my smile crumbled into tears.

…

In the days that followed, Serena kept sending me messages. Evan didn't leave home. Instead, he spent his nights tangled up with her in his room, climbing into my bed and leaving their marks all over it.

Serena held up my nightgown in one video. "Isn't this the brand I used to love? I can't believe he missed me so much."

Then, she sent me a lot of photos. Clothes, jewelry, perfume—everything was from the brands she used to adore. In the end, she laughed. "Selena, you're like a doll made just for me."

I closed my phone and exhaled long and slow to calm myself.

Most of the things I owned had been bought by Evan. I had always believed he bought them for me out of love, but as it turned out, he was just remaking me into Serena.

No wonder he lost interest when I wore my own clothes. No wonder he pushed me away when I tried a new perfume. It was because I didn't resemble her anymore.

I opened my palm, took off my wedding ring, earrings, and necklace, and threw them all into the trash. All of a sudden, everything he had ever given me felt unbearably disgusting.

Ignoring the doctor's protests, I rushed back home. Evan's brows knitted together when he saw me. "Why are you back? I told you to stay in the hospital."

I looked him straight in the eye. "What about you? Weren't you supposed to be busy with work?"

Serena scoffed as she stepped out from behind him. "Mrs. Blackwell, he's the CEO of Blackwell Group. Even if you are his wife, you don't have the right to question him like that."

"You're right. I don't." Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at Serena. "But what right do you have to force your way into our marriage?"

"That's enough!" Evan bellowed.

The living room went dead silent. No one dared say a word.

He massaged his temples. "Serena is just a good friend of mine, Selena. Don't get the wrong idea. If you want to come home, you can do so."

"Evan!" Serena immediately called out, displeased.

"This is my home, and she's the lady of the household; what she says goes."

Serena stared at him in disbelief before storming out.

Evan immediately chased after her, but he ultimately came to an abrupt halt. Then, he turned around and ruffled my hair. "Don't be upset. I'll ask Talia to make you something good."

He kept putting food on my plate at the dining table. Then, he noticed my bare neck. "Why aren't you wearing any jewelry? Do you not like them anymore? I can order a couple more sets for you."

I shook my head and told him that wasn't necessary. Just then, a wave of nausea hit me, and I sprinted to the bathroom, puking my guts out.

"What's going on? Did you guys put something she's allergic to in the food again?"

The housekeepers looked at each other, insisting they had no idea.

Evan immediately crouched down beside me, patting my back. His voice was incredibly gentle as he said, "It's okay… You're going to be okay… Just let it all out. Don't just stand there; go get the doctor!"

"It's alright. I'm fine." Clutching my stomach, I slowly pushed myself to my feet.

"That won't do. You threw up; you need a doctor!" Evan immediately started toward the door.

I gripped his hand. "I told you I'm fine. I just returned from the hospital, remember? The doctor said this is a side effect of the allergy. I'll be fine."

Evan finally relaxed. Right then, his phone rang. He took a look at it before turning to the housekeepers and ordering, "Take good care of her. If I come home and she's still unwell, all of you are done!"

The housekeepers nodded frantically. After he left, they couldn't help but whisper among themselves. "It looks like Mr. Blackwell still cares a lot about Mrs. Blackwell. We'd better be careful."

"It looks like we're losing this bet. Mr. Blackwell kicked Ms. Harroway out and is so attentive to Mrs. Blackwell, after all."

The corners of my lips curled into a derisive smile as I listened. I, too, thought I had won when Serena left. However, the caller ID "Serena" flashing on his phone was far too obvious, and the way he turned around was far too decisive.

In the end, I was still the one who lost.