Chapter 3

Morning.

I woke up early and began my morning routine in the bathroom.

Rhys's young face appeared in the mirror behind me.

He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, rubbing his cheek against mine.

"Sera, why didn't you wait for me last night? You just came back on your own."

I brushed my teeth, my tone flat.

"I couldn't find you anywhere."

"..." In the mirror, Rhys's eyes dropped, a hint of guilt in them, avoiding my gaze.

"I had too much to drink and felt dizzy, so I just found an empty room to rest. Maybe the housekeeper couldn't find me."

"Oh."

I responded indifferently.

Rhys looked at my makeup-free face, and remembering his indulgence with Chloe last night, a wave of guilt washed over him.

"Sera, let's live well together from now on."

He hugged me tight, as if afraid I would run away.

"I promise I won't ever make you sad again."

Men were truly masters of deception, lying with an unnerving calm, not a single flush on their face, not a single beat of their heart out of place, even though he'd been with another woman just last night.

A sudden wave of sorrow washed over me.

How many times had I been deceived...

Hah, well, it didn't matter anymore.

Finishing brushing my teeth, I pulled Rhys's hands away.

"You should get ready. I'll go check if breakfast is ready."

I turned and walked out of the bathroom.

As I turned, a small red mark on my pale nape caught Rhys's eye.

My skin was very fair, making the small red mark stand out glaringly.

Rhys's gaze froze.

"Sera, what's that red mark on your neck?"

An inexplicable unease welled up in his heart.

I instinctively reached up to touch it, and last night's wild moments replayed in my mind.

It must have been Julian, during one of those moments when my mind had gone blank.

Men were all alike, always chasing thrills.

I mimicked Rhys's calm expression, saying flatly.

"I don't know, maybe I scratched myself by accident."

"Is that so?"

But it looked so much like a hickey.

Rhys's heart inexplicably skipped a beat, a strange feeling nagging at him.

Then he quickly dismissed the thought. It couldn't be a hickey.

Not only did I love him deeply, even if I wasn't quick to forgive his mistakes, I would never actually cheat and sleep with another man.

Besides, I was a very traditional woman.

During our four years of dating in college, I had only ever allowed him to kiss me.

I wouldn't even let him touch me, and our first intimate moment was on our wedding night.

That's why he had said those words about me cheating to make things even.

He'd said it precisely because he knew I wouldn't do it, which would alleviate his guilt.

"Do you want to put some cream on it?"

Rhys, having reassured himself, asked with concern.

I continued walking.

"No need."

I finished breakfast without waiting for Rhys.

Right after, I received a SnapChat message from Julian.

He told me to come find him, the address was a high-end thermal spa and wellness center.

As soon as Rhys arrived, I stood up, ready to leave.

A housekeeper handed me my white handbag.

Rhys grabbed my hand.

"Sera, where are you going?"

"To my sculpting class."

As a wife in this family, my career wasn't a priority. Even getting a degree from an elite university was just to prove I had the pedigree to produce worthy heirs, not for any personal ambition. My primary role was to maintain appearances and, of course, ensure I was ready to bear children.

So, when I said this, Rhys naturally didn't suspect anything.

"Sera, your figure is already perfect."

Rhys smiled, complimenting me.

"Better than any model. You don't need to go to sculpting class every week."

I pulled my hand free and walked quickly out the door.

Watching my retreating figure, Rhys's brows furrowed slightly.

For the past month, my attitude towards him had remained distant.

It was his fault for hurting my heart.

He would just have to make it up to me slowly.

He pulled out his phone and made a call.

"Is that Hermès bag Sera likes in stock yet?"

His assistant replied.

"I was just about to call you. It arrived this morning. I'll go pick it up from the store in a bit."

Rhys nodded.

"Good, don't mess anything up. Sera's birthday is in two weeks. This is her surprise from me."

"Understood."

Half an hour later, I arrived at the thermal spa.