Chapter 1: The End of Us

The air in the living room was suffocating. It was our third wedding anniversary, but there were no candles, no flowers, and no celebration.

Instead, there was only a stack of cold, hard documents on the coffee table.

"Sign them," Jackson said. His voice was devoid of any warmth, as if he were talking to a stranger rather than the woman he had shared a bed with for three years.

I stood there, my hand instinctively protecting my flat stomach. inside my bag, a pregnancy test report was still warm. I had just come back from the hospital. Two heartbeats. Twins.

I had planned to surprise him tonight. I thought this news would finally melt the ice in his heart.

"Jackson, what is this?" I asked, though I could clearly see the bold words at the top: DIVORCE AGREEMENT.

Jackson stood by the window, his tall, imposing figure blocking the sunlight. He turned around, his handsome face expressionless. "It's exactly what you see, Serenity. I want a divorce."

My heart shattered. "Why? Did I do something wrong? I've tried so hard to be a good wife..."

"You did nothing wrong," Jackson interrupted, checking his expensive watch impatiently. "But you know ours was a business marriage. My grandfather forced me to marry you. Now that he has passed away, there is no reason for us to continue."

He paused for a second, then delivered the final blow.

"Besides... she is back."

My blood froze. She.

I didn't need to ask who "she" was. Chloe. The love of his life. The woman who went abroad to pursue her modeling career five years ago, leaving Jackson heartbroken.

"She called me yesterday," Jackson said, a rare tenderness flashing in his eyes—a look he had never given me. "She needs me. I promised her that when she returned, I would be a free man."

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. "So, three years of marriage meant nothing to you? I was just... a placeholder?"

"I will compensate you," Jackson said coldly, pushing a check across the table. "Ten million dollars. plus this villa. It’s enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life. Just sign the papers, Serenity. Don't make this ugly."

Ten million.

I looked at the check, then at the man I had loved secretly for ten years. I realized how foolish I was. I thought I could warm his heart with time. But his heart didn't belong to me at all.

I took a deep breath, fighting back the urge to scream. I thought about the babies in my belly.

Should I tell him?

"Jackson, I have something to tell you," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I went to the hospital today..."

"I don't care," Jackson cut me off sharply. He looked annoyed. "Serenity, unless you are dying, I don't want to hear it. Chloe is waiting for me at the airport. I need to go. Now."

He didn't care.

He was rushing to pick up another woman, not caring that he was killing his wife and his unborn children.

If I told him now, what would happen? He would probably think I was using the babies to trap him. Or worse, he might demand I get rid of them to make room for Chloe.

No. I won't let him hurt my babies.

A sudden surge of strength filled me. I wiped my tears and looked at him. The love in my eyes died, replaced by a cold resolve.

"Fine," I said. My voice was surprisingly steady. "I agree."

Jackson looked slightly surprised by my sudden change, but he nodded. "Good."

I picked up the pen. My hand shook as I signed my name: Serenity Lewis.

Then, I picked up the check he gave me.

Rip.

I tore the ten-million-dollar check into pieces in front of his shocked eyes.

"I don't want your money, Jackson," I said, throwing the confetti-like paper at his chest. "And I don't want this villa. It smells like you."

"Serenity, don't be childish," Jackson frowned, his jaw tightening.

"I'm not being childish. I'm setting myself free." I grabbed my bag—the one with the pregnancy report inside—and turned to the door. "From this moment on, we are strangers. Don't worry, I will disappear from your life completely."

I opened the door. Thunder rumbled outside. Heavy rain was pouring down, just like the storm inside my heart.

"Wait," Jackson called out behind me. For a second, I hoped he would stop me.

"You forgot your coat. It's raining."

I let out a bitter laugh. That was it. That was all the kindness he had left.

"Keep it," I said without looking back. "I don't need it anymore."

I stepped into the rain. The cold water soaked me instantly, mixing with the hot tears on my face. I placed a hand over my stomach, whispering to the tiny lives inside.

Baby, don't be afraid. Daddy doesn't want us, but Mommy loves you. Mommy will protect you.

I walked away from the villa, away from Jackson, away from the pain.

Goodbye, Jackson. When we meet again, I will be someone you can no longer afford to hurt.