Chapter 3 : The dinner

I spent the entire day preparing for the dinner. I'd even bought the expensive wine Vespera liked. I wanted her to think I still believed her lies.

By seven o'clock, the doorbell rang. I smoothed my dress and opened the door.

Vespera stood there, all smiles. "Seraphina!" She pulled me into a hug. "You look... well. Are you feeling okay?"

I forced a smile. "I'm fine. Come in."

She walked past me into the penthouse, "Dinner smells amazing," she said, settling into her chair. "You really didn't have to do all this."

"It's no trouble." I poured her wine. "I wanted to. We haven't had a proper catch-up in weeks."

"So," Vespera said, leaning forward, her voice dropping into something intimate. "How are things with Cassian? Really?"

I set down my fork. "Why do you ask?"

She shrugged. "You just seem... different. Distant. Is something going on?"

"Cassian and I are fine," I said calmly. "Why wouldn't we be?"

Vespera's smile tightened. "No reason. I just worry about you."

I stared at her. "Vespera," I said slowly. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Her eyes flickered. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing." I smiled. "Just asking."

She laughed… a little too brightly. "You're so funny."

When dinner ended. Vespera helped me clear the table, her movements too eager, she was trying to get back into my good graces… or maybe she was just looking for an excuse to stay longer so she can see Cassian.

"Cassian should be home soon," I said casually. "You could stay and say hello."

Vespera's face lit up. "Oh, I wouldn't want to intrude."

"You wouldn't be intruding." I smiled. "I'm sure he'd love to see you."

She didn't notice the edge in my voice. She was too busy checking her reflection in the window, smoothing her hair, adjusting her dress.

The front door opened an hour later and Cassian walked in. He looked tired, dark circles under his eyes. He stopped when he saw Vespera.

"Vespera," he said. "What are you doing here?"

"Seraphina invited me to dinner." She smiled at him… we were just catching up."

Cassian looked at me. Something flickered in his eyes. "Can I talk to you?" he asked. "Alone?"

"Of course." I turned to Vespera. "Could you excuse us for a moment?"

She nodded, but I saw the jealousy flash across her face.

Cassian led me into the study and closed the door. He stood there, running a hand through his hair, looking uncomfortable. "Something's wrong," he said. "I can feel it. You've been different after what you heard."

I stared at him. "Have I?"

"Don't do that." His voice was sharp. "Don't pretend like everything's fine. You've been distant. Cold. You won't look at me. You won't touch me. What's going on?"

I almost laughed. He was accusing me of being distant when he'd been the one pushing me away for weeks.

"I've been thinking," I said calmly. "About us."

"And?"

I met his eyes. "I want a divorce."

The words hung in the air between us.

Cassian's face went pale. For a moment, he looked genuinely shocked. Then the shock hardened into something else… anger.

"Don't be ridiculous," he said. "You don't mean that."

"I mean it, Cassian. I want a divorce."

He stepped closer. "You're not thinking clearly. You're upset about the bet. Let's talk about it."

"There's nothing to talk about."

"There is." His voice was desperate now. "I know I've been... distant. I know I haven't been the best husband. But that doesn't mean we should just give up."

I stared at him. "Give up?" I repeated. "You think I'm giving up?"

"I think you're making a mistake." His voice cracked. "I think you're scared, running away because you're afraid of getting hurt."

I laughed, "You're right. I am afraid. I'm afraid of spending another minute pretending this marriage is something it's not."

Cassian grabbed my arm. "Seraphina, please. Just give me another chance. Give us another chance."

I looked at his hand on my arm. His grip was too tight.

"Let go of me," I said quietly.

He didn't.

"Let go," I repeated. "Or I'll call security."

He released me. "If you leave," he said, "you have nothing. No money. No family. No future. You'll be back in a week begging."

I smiled. "We'll see."

I walked out of the study. Vespera was standing in the hallway, pretending she hadn't been eavesdropping.

"Seraphina," she said, her voice soft and concerned. "I heard raised voices. Is everything okay?"

I looked at her, "No," I said. "Everything is not okay."

"What happened?"

I walked past her and headed toward the stairs. I was going to pack and leave.

Vespera followed me, "Seraphina, wait. Please. You can't just…"

I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned to face her. "I'm getting a divorce," I said calmly. "You can go now."

She blinked. "What? Why?"

"Because my marriage is a lie. And you know it."

She tried to look innocent. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't you?" I stared at her. "I've been stupid, Vespera. I've been blind. But I'm not blind anymore."

I turned and walked up the stairs. I packed my things in silence. When I came back down, Cassian was standing in the living room, his arms crossed, expression cold.

Vespera was still there. She was standing too close to him.

"Seraphina." Cassian's voice was controlled. "Think about this. You're throwing away everything."

"No," I said. "You threw it away. I'm just picking up the pieces."

I reached for the door.

"Don't go." Vespera's voice was desperate. "Please. You know your husband loves you. You're being difficult. Just stop and think…"

I spun around. "Difficult?" I laughed. "You think I'm being difficult?"

Vespera's eyes widened. She took a step back as I stepped toward her.

"You want me to stay?" I asked softly. "You want me to stay in this marriage so you can keep playing your little games?"

"I don't know what you…"

"Shut up." My voice was ice. "Don't stand there and pretend you care about me." I took another step closer. "I know about you and Cassian. I know about the bet. I know everything."

Cassian's face went white. "Seraphina…"

"I'm not finished."

I turned back to Vespera. "What?" I said softly. "No more lies? No more pretending?"

"Seraphina, I can explain…"

"Explain what?" I laughed. "Explain that you've been sleeping with my husband while pretending to be my friend? Explain that you've been waiting for me to leave so you can finally have him?"

I picked up my suitcase. "Like you won't be the happiest person if I leave," I said softly. "You can finally crawl back into his bed like the slut you are."