Chapter 2

"Mmm... Rhys, what if I get pregnant?" Chloe asked, her voice broken, leaning against the stone sculpture, her cheeks flushed.

"You know my rules."

Rhys suddenly stopped.

"Take your pills. The only child I'll ever acknowledge is the one Sera carries."

Chloe's voice was filled with grievance.

"You really love her..."

"Yes, I only love her."

Rhys admitted it without hesitation.

"You're just my sexual partner. Don't wish for anything you shouldn't, understand?"

"Then aren't you afraid she'll find out again?"

Chloe turned, hooking her arms around his neck, and said wistfully.

"This is your family's garden, and you still called me here..."

"She had too much to drink and went back to her room early. She won't find out."

With that, he grabbed her waist and started moving again.

Listening to the intimate sounds, I couldn't help but let out a mocking laugh.

Rhys, your love is cheap and disgusting.

This time, I didn't confront them.

Because confronting them wouldn't matter. I still wouldn't be able to get a divorce.

But I wouldn't compromise.

I would never spend the rest of my life with a filthy man who didn't love me.

I already had other plans for a divorce...

And Julian was the key to my plan's success.

A flash of determination crossed my eyes, and I walked away from that dirty place.

I didn't notice the pair of deep, dark eyes watching me from behind.

After my slender figure disappeared, Julian emerged into the moonlight.

He watched the direction where I had vanished, a faint, meaningful smile playing on his lips.

Sera, this time you're the one who provoked me.

You can't escape now.

The birthday banquet concluded.

Rhys returned to our matrimonial villa. When he opened the door, he saw me already lying in bed.

"Sera."

He walked to the bedside and gently called my name.

I didn't respond.

Seeing that I was sound asleep, Rhys quietly left the room.

He went to the guest bedroom to shower, instructing the housekeeper to immediately wash the clothes that smelled of perfume.

Only after ensuring there was no lingering scent on him did he return to the room.

He gazed at my innocent face, his eyes brimming with love.

Even though he couldn't control his desires and slept with other women, he knew, deep down, that I was the only one he truly loved.

It was just that they had been together for too long, and the monotony of married life had become too boring.

He needed some excitement, a taste of something wild.

This didn't diminish his love for me.

As long as he was more careful and I didn't discover his continued contact with Chloe, their marriage would be fine.

Besides, I loved him so much. Given enough time, my wounds would heal, and I would forgive him.

Couples in their circle were all like this.

We could still have a good life together.

Then, we'd have a child, and we'd be a happy family of three.

Rhys fantasized, holding me as he gradually drifted off to sleep.

After he fell asleep, I slowly opened my eyes, expressionlessly pushing him away and creating distance between us.

I didn't want to lie in the same bed as him, but the villa was full of housekeepers sent by both the Hawthornes and the Sterlings—ostensibly to serve, but in reality, to monitor.

If Rhys and I slept in separate rooms, the elders from both families would take turns talking to me the next day.

I felt suffocated.

For now, apart from temporary compromise, I had no other choice.

I touched my flat stomach, my feelings complicated.

I hoped today's indulgence would lead to a good result, helping me break free from the Hawthornes and Sterlings, and escape to freedom.

To finally be free.