Chapter 2

Hanging up the phone, I stood by the master bedroom window, watching the three laughing figures across the street. The pain was suffocating. To give birth to Leo, I went through hell and back, and now Dominic was just casually handing him over to someone else...

It reminded me of years ago, when Leo had just learned to speak, he pointed at Seraphina's photo and called her "Mom." Dominic had dismissed it then, saying the child was too young to understand, but he'd grinned from ear to ear.

At that memory, tears cascaded down my cheeks, blurring my vision. I couldn't tell if it was rain or tears. After watching for what felt like an eternity, I pulled out my phone, my finger hovering over the flight booking screen.

Just then, Dominic carried Leo into the bedroom. "Darling, why are you crying?" He seemed startled. "Oh, and about the school group, I'm in it now. I removed you just so you wouldn't have to worry."

I just nodded and put Leo to bed. But as he slept, he began to mumble.

"If Mom and Dad get divorced...I want to live with Dad. Then I can call Seraphina 'Mom'."

Dad...you've asked me that so many times already.."

My hand, smoothing his blanket, froze. My heart clenched into a tight, painful knot.

I walked numbly back to the master bedroom and noticed several cancellation notifications on my phone.

Dominic, taking off his watch, offered an explanation. "You've been putting too much pressure on Leo with his studies. It's not good for him. A child should just be happy, don't you think?"

Was it his decision, or Seraphina's?

I didn't say much, simply got into bed. But when I turned, I noticed a new bracelet on Dominic's wrist.

Seeing me look, he quickly, almost guiltily, pulled his sleeve down, trying to hide the bracelet, forcing a faint smile.

"Go to sleep,darling."

I couldn't sleep until midnight, when I heard Dominic stealthily get out of bed. I didn't make a sound, letting him leave. Still hesitating about booking my flight, I casually scrolled through Seraphina's Ins stories.

"Craving a late-night snack at 2 AM? No problem, someone delivered it personally."

The photo showed a hand holding a takeout bag, its wrist bearing a familiar bracelet. For over a decade, Dominic had insisted on proper meals and frowned on late-night snacks. Now, it seemed, rules could be broken.

The next second, I received a video from Seraphina. In it, she cried, looking distraught. "If my husband dies, I will be all alone. And you are already married."

Dominic quickly hugged her, his brow furrowed with concern. "Do not worry, Seraphina. You have me and Leo."

"But what if that day comes? Will you," Seraphina's eyes lit up as she blinked at him, "marry me?"

Dominic's hand, which had been comforting her, stilled. He bit his lip, unable to answer for a long time. Yet his eyes held a suppressed pain and tenderness.

A bitter laugh escaped me. Without hesitation, I booked a flight home and contacted a lawyer to draft divorce papers.