Chapter 3

Seraphina had secretly swapped the birthday gift I had prepared for my supervisor with a broken clock.

She even sabotaged my research.

Every time I suffered humiliation, Seraphina scolded me for being petty.

She claimed making me and my parents drink toad eggs was for Alaric’s sake.

But after I mocked Alaric, he dragged me, stripped me bare, and threw me into a giant iron vat filled with poisonous toads.

By the time I was rushed to the hospital, my body was swollen from poisoning.

I was unrecognizable.

Yet Seraphina still defended him.

“Alaric handled all those toads without a scratch—only you had a problem. How dramatic.

“You can’t blame Alaric.

“I’ve already told everyone it was your own fault for being so reckless.”

In that instant, my disappointment in Seraphina reached its peak.

After my parents finished their procedure, they were utterly weak.

I insisted they go home and rest.

But no sooner had they left than a video call came through.

When I answered, my father trembled violently, unable to speak a word.

My mother clutched her chest, tears streaming down her face.

Our home had been turned into a funeral parlor, draped in wreaths and white silk.

At the center hung a black-and-white photograph of my parents.

Alaric motioned to the bodyguards, and they began playing a funeral march for my parents.

Seraphina stood to the side, smiling indulgently at Alaric.

I shook with rage and yelled at the screen.

“Are you insane?”

Hearing my voice, Seraphina approached, clearly displeased.

“What’s with all the shouting? Alaric is performing, don’t interrupt him!”

I ground my teeth.

“You let Alaric treat my parents like this, and you tell me not to interfere?”

Seraphina defended herself with absolute confidence.

“Oh come on, Alaric was just practicing in advance.

“Consider yourself lucky. If Alaric hadn’t been feeling guilty and wanted to make amends, your parents wouldn’t even have had a chance to witness their own funeral.”

She had gone completely mad.

Anger filled my body.

“Take down the funeral setup immediately!”

Seraphina refused.

“No way,” she said.

“Alaric and the others worked so hard putting them up.

“Besides, it’s not even over yet. Why should we tear it down?

“Behave yourself for the next few days. Stop bothering Alaric.

“And maybe I’ll be there at the wedding.”

Alaric wrapped his arms around Seraphina from behind and kissed her cheek.

“Didn’t you say you wanted a little thrill? Do you think doing it here counts as thrilling?”

Seraphina flushed and hung up immediately.

For a moment, my mind went blank.

They had no shame left.

The phone rang again.

I answered mechanically.

“Mr. Blackwood, the welcome display for the wedding is ready. Would you like to see it?”

I forced a smile.

“Change the bride’s picture. I’ll send a new one.”

After hanging up, I ignored the nurse and left the hospital.

I couldn’t let my parents be bullied like this.

Back at the villa, my parents leaned on each other, struggling to stand at the doorway.

From the living room came the unmistakable sounds of Seraphina and Alaric’s lovemaking.

…

I kicked the door open.

The two of them scrambled up, clutching at their clothes to cover themselves.

Seraphina caught sight of me, a flicker of guilt crossing her eyes, but it vanished almost immediately.

“You just had surgery. How did you get out already?”

Alaric wrapped his arms possessively around Seraphina from behind, smirking as if daring me to stop them.

“I’m not done yet,” he said with relish.