Chapter 10

He looked over, still startled, and met my gaze.

"Sera!"

Rhys jumped out of bed and strode towards me, grabbing my wrist.

He gripped my wrist so tightly that I winced.

"You're hurting me."

Rhys seemed not to hear, his eyes fixed on me.

"Sera, were you really with your friend yesterday?"

"What else?"

Unconsciously, I had learned the same composure after cheating that Rhys displayed when he lied.

I looked at Rhys calmly, without a hint of guilt.

Rhys stared at me, trying to catch the slightest change in my expression.

But he saw nothing.

"I've been at the clinic all night. I need to change." I motioned for him to let go.

Rhys slowly released me, watching me turn and head into the walk-in closet.

Suddenly, he took a step closer and gently pushed open the closet door.

I had just taken off my clothes. My pale skin was exposed, as delicate as fine jade, without a single blemish.

And no traces of intimacy.

Rhys breathed a sigh of relief.

He had been overthinking it. How could I possibly be involved with Uncle Julian?

Julian was naturally distant, keeping everyone at arm's length.

At previous family dinners, I used to be quite intimidated by Uncle Julian, barely daring to say more than a few words.

Later, I even accidentally broke one of Uncle Julian's favorite antique vases.

Although he didn't pursue it, I often complained to Rhys that Uncle Julian pretended not to care but always looked at me with devouring eyes.

It scared me so much that I was even more afraid to speak to him.

In Rhys's mind, my interactions with Uncle Julian were almost non-existent.

How could the two of them possibly get together? It was impossible.

Rhys reassured himself, but for some reason, a lingering unease still stirred within him.

Afraid of being discovered, he quietly closed the door and left.

At that moment, my peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the doorway. I knew Rhys had been watching me.

I had prepared for this; last night, I hadn't let Julian leave any marks on my body.

Rhys, are you finally experiencing the anxiety of suspecting your loved one of cheating?

That unsettling feeling isn't pleasant, is it?

I let out a mocking laugh.

The following days of my life remained calm.

Except for the occasional rendezvous with Julian, continuing our illicit affair.

I worked hard to entice him, and Julian willingly succumbed.

Finally, ten days later, I got the result I wanted.

I walked out of the doctor's office, clutching the report tightly in my hand.

My lips curved upward, unable to stop smiling from excitement and joy.

I was pregnant.

With Julian's child, the cage of this arranged marriage could no longer hold me.

My mood was exceptionally good; I even had a smile on my face when I returned to the villa.

"Sera, what has you so happy?"

Rhys smiled too, pulling my hand to sit on the sofa.

"Is it because your birthday is coming up? Oh, by the way, the family estate called. They said you should celebrate your birthday there this year. They want everyone back to make it lively. Grandpa Hawthorne also said he has a gift for you, one he's sure you'll love."

Only Grandpa Hawthorne typically celebrated his birthday at the family estate; younger generations weren't usually eligible.

The fact that an exception was being made for me, I knew the reason without much thought.

It was merely a gesture to compensate me.

I didn't care or mind in the least.

However, celebrating my birthday at the family estate presented an excellent opportunity.

My lips curved slightly.

Because that day would be the day I would be reborn.