Chapter 2

"Pull over. I want to get out."

"Honey, can we please just go home and talk?"

"Pull over! Pull over! Let me out!"

I slammed my fists against the window, tears streaming down my face.

I was terrified I would throw up all over the car.

Even more terrified that in the next second, I would grab the steering wheel and crash us both into the barrier.

Serena didn't let me out.

Once we got home, I stopped yelling.

Serena went into the kitchen and cooked a whole spread of my favorite dishes.

I sat across from her without touching a single bite.

She looked at me tenderly. "Honey, I promise you, I'll take care of it. Mason was just a fling. He doesn't hold a candle to you."

With that, she placed a piece of glazed pork into my bowl. "No matter what, don't starve yourself."

I stared right through her.

"I won't eat it. It disgusts me."

Who knew if she had cooked this same meal for Mason?

Serena's face went pale. She stood up. "Fine. What do you want to eat? I'll have the private chef send something over."

After dinner, Serena went to take a shower.

At this point, she had become completely brazen. She didn't feel guilty at all; if anything, she thought I was making a mountain out of a molehill.

She stepped out of the bathroom smelling fresh and clean, stepping forward to wrap her arms around me.

"Honey, stop being angry. It's not worth it."

I pulled away, my voice flat. "Go wash again."

She froze for a second, then obediently turned around and took another shower.

After doing this three times, Serena finally lost her temper. "How many times do I have to wash before you're satisfied?! I slept with Mason, and it happened! No amount of showering is going to change that!"

No matter how many times she scrubbed, she could never turn back into that young girl who had once held me tight, swearing she would only ever love me.

Serena left.

In seven years of marriage, aside from business trips, this was the very first time she spent the night away from home.

The king-size bed felt freezing cold. I sat at the edge until dawn broke.

When I unlocked my phone, a headline was trending on Instagram: [Vance Heiress Spotted Setting Off Fireworks with Boy Toy Late at Night].

In the photo, Mason had his arm wrapped around Serena, looking like a couple hopelessly in love.

The glow of the fireworks illuminated his face—a face full of the youth and sharp charm I was steadily losing.

Serena was retaliating for my behavior last night.

Once something is dirty, it stays dirty, no matter how much you try to clean it.

I took the medical report from my bag and hailed a cab to my mother's place.

Even though she had remarried years ago and built a new family with a new husband and son.

Even though in her eyes, I was merely proof of her failed first marriage, never able to compare to my younger brother.

A mother was still a mother.

When a child gets hurt, where else are they supposed to go?

My brother Toby, four years younger than me, opened the door. His brows furrowed the moment he saw me.

"What are you doing here?"

I didn't answer. I walked straight inside. My mother was sitting on the couch, and her eyes darted away when she noticed me.

I reached into my bag, wanting to tell her I was sick.

When people are facing death, they grasp for any warmth they can find.

"So, you found out?" she asked.

My hand froze inside my bag.

"Ethan, listen to me. Just pretend you didn't see anything. You know how well Serena treats you.

Women need attention, too. You can't just focus on your work and neglect her.

Don't say I'm not on your side. I'm saying this precisely because I care about you!

Remember when our family was drowning in debt? Serena paid it all off.

When Toby got married, bought his house and his car, she covered everything. If you do the math, our family owes her a massive debt."

My ears buzzed with static.

If you muted her voice, it looked like a mother gently offering heartfelt advice.

But with the sound on, every single syllable stabbed straight into my heart.