Chapter 1: Sad Thoughts 

Seraphina's pov

"You're late." Cassian didn't look up from his phone.

The penthouse smelled like someone else's perfume.. The same one I'd bought Vespera for her birthday last year.

I set the grocery bags down, ignoring the way my arms ached from carrying them three blocks because Cassian had "forgotten" to send the driver. But I forced a smile anyway.

"Traffic," I said, my voice lighter than I felt. "I brought your favorite. The lamb chops from that butcher you like. I thought I could make that rosemary glaze you…"

"I don't care."

The words hit me like a slap. He still didn't look up.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Right. Well, I'll just…"

He finally glanced at me. "You look tired," he said flatly. "Maybe skip dinner tonight."

"Okay," I replied, because that was easier than fighting. "I'll just... put the groceries away."

Three weeks… that's how long we'd been married. Three weeks of this cold silence, me convincing myself it would get better, that he just needed time to open up. I was so stupid.

The truth was that I had married a man who didn't love me.

And the worst part? I'd walked into it with my eyes wide open, because I wanted so badly to believe that someone… anyone… could look past my body and see the woman inside.

I was halfway through unloading the bags when my phone buzzed on the counter. It was Vespera, my best friend.

I loved Vespera. She was the only person in the world who made me feel like I wasn't alone.

But lately... something felt different.

I picked up the phone. "Hey."

"Hey, babe!" Her voice was bright and cheerful. "How's my favorite married woman?"

I forced a laugh. "Exhausted, honestly. Cassian's been working late again."

"Oh, that man works so hard. You're so lucky to have a husband with drive." There was something in her voice… "Listen, I was calling because I wanted to invite you to lunch tomorrow. Just us girls. We could catch up."

"Sure," I said, even though I didn't feel like socializing. "Where did you have in mind?"

"Maybe that cute bistro on Fifth? The one with the macarons?" She paused. "You've been looking a little stressed lately. I thought you could use some time away from.. " She stopped abruptly.

I frowned. "Away from what?"

"Nothing. Just... you know, the honeymoon phase is always exhausting." She laughed, but it sounded hollow. "So, noon tomorrow?"

"Yeah, noon."

"Great! I'll text you the address. And Seraphina? You're going to be okay, you know that, right? Whatever happens, you've got me."

Something tightened in my chest. "I know, Ves. Thanks."

I hung up and stared at the phone for a long time. Vespera was my best friend. I had no reason to doubt her. But why did her compliments always feel like they had sharp edges now?

I pushed the thought away. I was being paranoid. That's what this marriage was doing to me… making me see shadows where there were none.

I walked into the bedroom to change out of my work clothes and Cassian's jacket was draped over the back of the armchair near the window… I should have left it there and walked away.

But I didn't.

I reached into the jacket pocket, where I found a crumpled receipt. It was from a jewelry store… the amount was way too high. And the name on the receipt? Vespera Quinn.

Why would he buy her jewelry? Why wouldn't he tell me? Why did the penthouse smell like her perfume?

I took a deep breath and walked to his study. My hands were shaking so badly I had to steady myself against the wall. When I reached the door, I knocked.

No answer.

I knocked again. "Cassian?"

The door swung open. He was on the phone, but he waved me away dismissively. I stood there, receipt clutched in my hand, waiting.

Finally, he hung up. "I said not to disturb me."

"Vespera," my voice was barely a whisper. "Why did you buy Vespera diamond earrings?"

For a fraction of a second, something flickered across his face. "Where did you get that?"

I held up the receipt. "Your jacket. I was putting it away, and it fell out." I was lying, but he didn't need to know that.

He snatched the receipt from my hand, his jaw tight. "She helped me close a deal. It's called networking, Seraphina. Not everything is about you."

"How much were they?"

"None of your business."

"They're my business when they're expensive enough to make me wonder why you didn't tell me about them." My voice was shaking now. I hated that he could make me feel this small. "Three thousand dollars, Cassian. You spent three thousand dollars on earrings for my best friend, and you didn't even mention it."

He stepped closer, and for a moment I actually flinched. "Listen to me very carefully, Seraphina. I make the money in this household. I decide how it's spent. If I want to buy a gift for a colleague, I don't need your permission."

"Colleague? Vespera isn't a…"

"She's a professional contact. She helped me secure a partnership that's going to make me millions. So if I want to reward her, I will. You don't get a say."

I stared at him. "I'm your wife."

"Exactly. My wife. Not my accountant." He walked past me, but at the door he paused. "Maybe if you focused less on eating and more on being useful, you'd understand how these things work." He walked away.

I walked back to the bedroom, sat down on the edge of the bed and stared at the wall.

I picked up my phone. My thumb hovered over Vespera's contact. I wanted to scream at her… but I didn't.

Because if I called her and she lied to me, I'd know. And if I called her and she told me the truth, I'd break.

So I put the phone down and lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

I thought about divorcing him… but then I remembered the way Cassian had looked at me when we first met. The way he'd smiled and called me beautiful.

Was that all a lie?

I closed my eyes and whispered to the empty room: "Maybe I'm overreacting."

The door to the bedroom opened and I sat up slowly. "Cassian?"

"What?"

I opened my mouth. I want a divorce. The words were right there… but I couldn't say them because I was still hoping I was wrong.

I know. I was pathetic, desperate and weak but I'd spent my entire life being told I wasn't enough.

And I wasn't ready to admit that the one person who had made me feel like I was… even for a moment… had been lying the whole time.

"Nothing," I said softly. "Never mind."

He finished changing and walked toward the door. He paused with his hand on the frame, and for one crazy second, I thought he was going to say something kind. Something that would make everything okay.

Instead, he said: "You should get some sleep. You look like you need it."

And he was gone.

I cried silently because I'd learned that even my tears were something he didn't want to hear.

One day, I promised myself I'll stop being this weak and leave.

But not tonight. Tonight, I just hugged my knees to my chest and wished I'd never met Cassian Rourke…