Chapter 2

It wasn't until I started the car that I realized I had no idea where Sean lived.

I had to call through a list of Serena’s old college classmates before I finally tracked down his address.

Her friends asked what was going on, but I was too humiliated to explain. What was I supposed to say? That I was hunting down my wife at another man’s apartment?

I could only force an awkward laugh and mutter an excuse.

I kept redialing Serena’s number the entire drive over, speeding toward Sean's place.

The calls kept going straight to voicemail. The moment I arrived, I sprinted upstairs and pounded frantically on his door.

Sean opened it. He was wearing nothing but boxers, scowling irritably:

"Who the hell is it?! Buzz off, you're ruining my mood!"

When he saw it was me, his expression shifted, turning shifty. "What are you doing here?"

I didn't have time to argue with him. All I cared about was getting Serena to save my mother.

"Where is Serena?!" I gasped. "It’s an emergency!"

Instead of letting me in, Sean’s immediate instinct was to slam the door shut.

Panic surged through me. I shoved him aside and barged in, only to be greeted by a scene that nearly made my eyes bleed.

My wife was sitting on Sean's bed, her clothes disheveled, a fresh, vivid hickey clearly visible on her neck.

Seeing me, she immediately went on the offensive: "Brandon! Did you track me?!"

At that point, no matter how panicked I was, it was glaringly obvious what they had been doing.

My vision flashed crimson as I glared at her. "You said his hand was hurt? You said you were bandaging him up?"

"Do you bandage someone up in his bed?! Do you have any idea how desperately I was looking for you?! My mom is—"

Before I could finish, her hand cracked across my cheek.

"Brandon! Watch your filthy mouth!" she hissed, furious. "Look at him—Sean really is hurt."

"How can you be so callous? Inventing a lie about your own mother just because you're throwing a pathetic, jealous tantrum like a petty little boy!"

At the mention of my mother, the image of Mom lying in that pool of blood flashed before my eyes, tearing my heart to pieces.

The pain jolted me back to reality. No matter how furious I was, I couldn't afford to push Serena away. My mom was still waiting on that operating table.

Swallowing the searing humiliation, I begged softly:

"Serena! Mom was in a terrible crash. The doctors said only you can save her leg. Please, come to the hospital with me right now."

Serena hesitated for a second, glancing at me. But Sean stepped forward, his voice dripping with venomous sarcasm:

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have been so clumsy and hurt my arm, making Serena come all this way."

"Brandon, if you want her to go home with you, just say so. There's no need to put a curse on your own mother. We're both men here—I get it, you're insecure."

As he spoke, he made a show of raising his slightly scraped forearm.

I snapped, shouting at him, "Shut the hell up! I'm talking to my wife! This is none of your damn business!"

Serena's brow furrowed in fury. "Brandon! Don't you dare talk to Sean like that! He's the one trying to help you and telling me to go home!"

"Why do you always have to cause a scene?! Clinging to me 24/7 like a needy child, and now resorting to such sick lies? You're disgusting!"

Knowing my mom was waiting, tears stung my eyes. I had no choice but to swallow my pride and plead again:

"Serena, I swear to God I'm not lying! Just come to the hospital with me and see for yourself! Or call the hospital yourself to verify!"

Her expression softened slightly, and she parted her lips to speak.

Right then, Sean let out a theatrical wince. "Ouch... damn, why does it hurt again?"

Serena immediately turned her back on me, rushing to Sean's side. She took his hand, whispering softly, checking on him as if I didn't even exist.

Fury exploded in my chest. I charged forward, grabbed Sean by his collar, and smashed my fist into his face.

"Sean, you piece of garbage! Why do you keep sabotaging my mom's chance to live?! Do you know she's waiting for surgery right now?!"

I hated him with every fiber of my being. My mom’s life was on the line, and this scumbag was deliberately playing games.

If looks could kill, I would have shredded him to pieces right there!

Sean tumbled dramatically to the floor, and Serena rushed over, horrified and full of pity, to help him up.