Chapter 2

"Are you absolutely sure, Sera? If you come back now, you’re starting from the ground up to take over everything. I need to know you're fully committed this time."

My father’s voice came through the receiver, as warm and commanding as ever.

I looked down at the unsigned divorce papers sitting on the coffee table. "I’m sure, Dad. I’ve made up my mind. My career is my only priority now."

My father sighed with relief, though he still had no idea what had finally made me snap out of my domestic fantasy.

For the past three years of my marriage to Julian, I had given up my career, put my inheritance on hold, and poured my entire soul into being a perfect housewife.

I was the girl he had proposed to thirty times. The one he had chased for five long years before I finally said yes. He had sworn to love me until his last breath.

But during our first year of marriage, my doctors discovered I had a severe fertility issue. Getting pregnant naturally was going to be nearly impossible. So, I quit my job to focus entirely on grueling fertility treatments and hormone therapies.

Through all those painful years of trying, Julian never complained. In fact, he seemed more attentive than ever. He drove me to my monthly checkups, cooked special meals for me, and held me when the pregnancy tests came back negative.

I honestly thought we were going to be happy forever.

Today was supposed to be my monthly clinic appointment. I didn’t remind him. Instead, I quietly sat on the lounger after breakfast, flipping through a magazine.

Julian had woken up earlier than usual. He had spent the last forty minutes in the walk-in closet, meticulously picking out his outfit. When his phone buzzed on the dining table, I glanced at it from the corner of my eye.

“Hey Julian, same place as usual. I want you to cook for me today. See you soon, babe x.”

The sender's name was Chloe. The message burned into my retinas.

I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep.

Hearing his phone buzz, Julian rushed out of the closet. When he saw I hadn't moved, he let out a subtle sigh of relief.

He leaned down to kiss my cheek, but a heavy, expensive cologne hit my nose.

"Did you change your cologne?" I asked, casually tilting my head away to avoid the scent.

Julian’s face didn't betray a thing. He maintained the same gentle, doting smile he always wore. "Yeah, do you like it? I read online that keeping things fresh is important in a marriage. Scent is a big part of that."

I looked at his perfectly styled hair and his tailored suit. It wasn't my taste at all. He looked flashier, like a peacock looking for a mate.

"The doctor said my hormones are finally stabilizing, but the new medication makes me highly sensitive to strong smells. You should probably be careful with that cologne, Julian. We don't want to ruin our progress."

During fertility treatments, everything had to be scheduled—even our intimate nights. Maybe he grew tired of the clinical routine. Or maybe he was just a liar. Either way, he had cheated.

I brought up the doctor to see if he would remember what today was. He didn't even blink. He just adjusted his tie and gave me a dismissive smile.

"You got it, boss!"

"Oh, by the way, babe," he added, heading for the door. "A massive, high-profile client just landed in town. I have to host them tonight. I have no idea how late it’s going to run, so don’t wait up for me. Get some sleep, okay?"

His phone buzzed again. He practically bolted out the door.

I knew the truth. Chloe was probably waiting for him, growing impatient.

Since the hotel incident, I hadn't confronted him. Julian took my quietness as trauma from the kidnapping, thinking I was too shaken to notice the obvious signs.

They truly thought I was an idiot.

But it didn't matter anymore. His early departure actually made things easier for me.

I had someone to meet today.

Even though I had told my father I was ready to take over the family business, I had been out of the corporate world for too long. I needed to catch up on the industry.

My father had arranged for me to shadow a brilliant young CEO in the city—someone who could help me get back on my feet quickly.

Our meeting was scheduled for this morning.