Chapter Three

The sitting room clock struck four. Selene had not moved from her spot.

It had been hours since her conversation with Scarlett, and the coffee had long dried on the tiles. Her phone rang, but Selene didn’t pick it up. It wasn’t a call. It was the alarm she had set to remind herself to start getting ready for the anniversary dinner.

Still, she didn’t move. Not even hunger had been able to make her.

“Cole will be back soon, Selene. You can’t let him see you like this. You have to handle this maturely, Selene. You’re a businesswoman. Think like one.”

She said the words aloud, her voice flat and lifeless.

But it was enough. Enough to bring her back to reality.

She immediately stood, and switched off her alarm. She then went to fetch a brush and dustpan, sweeping up the shattered pieces of the mug.

When she was done, she pulled out the cleaning supplies and began wiping every surface, scrubbing the floors, putting her body in motion as though trying to outrun her mind.

Once finished, she walked into her bedroom and tucked the note carefully in the place she kept her medication, the one place she knew Cole would never look.

By the time she was done, it was six. She stood in the kitchen, staring blankly at the sink.

“Good evening, my love.”

The deep masculine voice startled her.

She turned. She wasn’t surprised to find Cole standing behind her. He was supposed to have been back sooner.

Selene stared at him, drinking in the details of a man she used to love.

Cole was blonde, with piercing blue eyes, a chiseled jawline, and light freckles across his nose. He wasn’t overly built, nor was he lean, just the perfect mix. He had the most beautiful smile, and stood a bit above average height.

But now, Selene didn’t look at Cole and feel admiration or the satisfaction of marrying a handsome man.

All she felt was revulsion.

And she was very, very good at hiding it.

Cole’s brows were furrowed with concern as he stared at her.

“What’s wrong, my love? Why are you crying?” he asked gently, stepping closer and wiping her cheeks with his thumb.

Selene hadn’t even realized she’d been crying.

“I just… I was thinking about us,” she said after a short pause, “and how being with you has been the most beautiful part of my life.”

Cole gave her one of those beautiful smiles she used to adore, followed by a soft chuckle.

Selene mirrored the smile faintly, then reached up to cup his face. “You love me, right, Cole? You’d never do anything to hurt me?” she asked, her voice low, her eyes searching his for something—anything real.

“Of course I do,” Cole replied without hesitation. “I loved you yesterday, I love you today, and I’ll love you tomorrow and forever. I’d never hurt you, Selene. You’re the meaning of my life.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead and pulled her into an embrace.

The meaning of his life.

That was new. She had never heard him say that before, and she loved it. In his arms, she felt safe. He loved her. So why should she doubt him? Why believe a note from someone who didn’t even have the courage to sign their name? It had to be from someone bitter. A hater.

Right then and there, Selene made a decision. She wasn’t going to let some baseless accusation unravel her marriage. She wasn’t going to pay attention to the note, but the feeling of love right in front of her.

She wrapped her arms around Cole tighter, resting her head on his chest, a soft smile blooming on her lips as she closed her eyes in bliss.

Nothing else mattered.

Not the unexplained absences. Not the forgotten favorite flowers.

Not the trace of another woman’s perfume.

And certainly not a letter from a coward.

Cole was all that mattered. His love was real. They were real.

It was half past seven when Cole and Selene arrived at the downtown restaurant. A high-class, five-star establishment Cole had reserved weeks in advance for their anniversary. Selene had always loved the place. So Cole made sure they had it all to themselves tonight.

Cole looked sharp in a midnight blue suit with white stripes, a clean white inner shirt, and a burgundy silk tie that matched Selene’s dress. A classic watch rested on his wrist, and his shiny black Oxford shoes made soft clicks on the polished floor.

Selene, however, stole the breath from the room. She wore a deep crimson satin gown, floor-length, with a high slit and an asymmetrical neckline. There was small embroidery on the sleeves.

Her dark hair was tied back in a low bun, showing her silver earrings. Her red lipstick and soft eye makeup made her stand out. A thin silver bracelet was on her wrist, and her black heels made soft sounds as she walked beside her husband.

They entered to a small but intimate gathering. Familiar faces scattered throughout the room. Cole’s business partners. Scarlett, glowing in icy blue. Eileen, Selene’s ever-efficient secretary. Yeshua, Scarlett’s ever-dramatic manager. A few of Selene’s business collaborators. Cole’s parents. Some close family friends. Altogether, no more than twenty-five people, carefully selected for this curated evening.

“Well, here comes the power couple,” said Robin, one of Cole’s longtime partners, lifting a glass of champagne as heads turned to greet them.

Cole and Selene flashed bright, flawless smiles as they moved forward, slipping into their roles as the perfect pair.

“You know, for the hosts, you really did make everyone wait,” Scarlett added with a smirk.

“Alright, everyone, call out your account numbers,” Cole said smoothly, prompting light laughter.

“Seriously?” Scarlett raised a brow.

“I’m joking,” Cole replied, and the room laughed again, the tension melting away.

Soon enough, conversations picked up. Everyone found someone to talk to while waiting for dinner. Soft music played in the background.

Selene was mid-laugh, chatting with Eileen, Yeshua, and Scarlett, when Cole walked up to them.

“Sorry to interrupt the fun, but I need my wife for a second,” he said with a smile.

“Hmm. Just say you hate singles,” Yeshua joked, and they all laughed.

“I’ll be back soon,” Selene said, excusing herself as she followed Cole.

He led her to where his father was standing, along with Damien, Cole's laid-back older brother, and the Carls—old family friends. Cole’s mother had passed, but his father was still as formal as ever.

“Good evening, everyone,” Selene greeted politely.

“There she is,” Mr. Carl said. “We had to send Cole to get you.”

“Well, here I am,” she said, smiling.

Mrs. Carl leaned in a little. “We were just wondering when we can expect grandchildren. It’s been three years, hasn’t it?”

Selene gave a light laugh, hiding how much she hated the question. “Maybe it’s part of the news we’re planning to share tonight,” she said playfully.

“You’re pregnant?” Cole’s father asked, hopeful.

Selene shook her head with a grin. “Not yet, Father-in-law. But soon, hopefully. I’ll make sure you get that grandchild. Maybe twins. Or would triplets be better?”

“Triplets sound great. Two girls and a boy,” Mrs. Carl chimed in.

“Perfect,” Mr. Harrington agreed, and they all laughed lightly.

“Oh, come on,” Damien said. “Let me introduce you to some people,” and the group slowly drifted away.

Cole stayed behind with Selene for a second. “They’re asking about kids. If only they knew our little secret,” he said with a smirk and a wink before walking off.

Selene stood still. It was a joke, she knew. But that kind of joke hit differently. How could Cole joke about something like that? A chill ran down her spine as she remembered the one mistake she could never undo.

She stopped by a passing waitress, took a glass of champagne, and downed it in one go. But it didn’t help.

The guilt was still there.