Chapter 8
I had my assistant send over the divorce papers. I wanted everything finalized before I left the country.
When Serena saw the documents, she tore them to shreds, throwing the pieces in my face.
She didn’t even bother reading them.
“Elias, you’re being ridiculous. Do you know what kind of damage this will cause? I know the company inside and out. Think carefully before you make a mistake you can’t undo.”
“We’ve been married for five years. Every couple has their issues. Take some time to cool off before you come to me with this nonsense again.”
With that, she stormed out, leaving me to sigh deeply.
What had possessed me to chase after her so relentlessly all those years ago?
I remembered the first time I met her during freshman year. She’d been standing outside the University of Virginia’s entrance, wearing a white dress and struggling with a broken suitcase.
I had been in a rush to rehearsal but stopped to help her carry her luggage to her dorm. Her sweet dimples had caught my attention, and I couldn’t refuse her.
She thanked me with a bag of snacks from her hometown and asked for my number.
Over time, we grew closer. We ate together, studied at the library, and went to movies.
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She thanked me with a bag of snacks from her hometown and asked for my number.
Over time, we grew closer. We ate together, studied at the library, and went to movies.
When I noticed her meals were always light on protein, I asked if she was struggling financially. She didn’t open up right away, but later, she came to me in tears, asking for money for her father’s surgery.
Without hesitation, I transferred the funds.
From then on, I gave her a supplementary credit card to ease her burdens. At first, she resisted using it, but as her father’s health declined, she grew comfortable relying on my help.
I didn’t mind. I loved her. But my constant support made her take my devotion for granted.
She wasn’t going to agree to the divorce easily, but I couldn’t wait.
Later that evening, the property manager called. Serena had caused a scene at my house, trying to break in with a locksmith after realizing the code had been changed. the
When I arrived, the police were already there.
Serena grabbed my wrist, pleading. “He’s my husband. We’re just having a little fight. He changed the lock without telling me, but I need to get my things.”
I sighed, cutting her off. “We’re in the middle of a divorce. You have no right to enter my house or change the locks.”
Her face twisted in fury. “This house is marital property! You can’t kick me out without my consent!”
She raised her voice. “You promised me when you proposed that everything you had was mine!”
I shook my head. “Serena, I gave you everything because I loved you. But no one will tolerate being betrayed over and over again.”
Her face turned red, her grip on my shirt tightening. “I don’t care! This is my home too. Open the door, now!”
Resigned, I agreed to let her in to gather her things.
But once inside, she locked herself in the bedroom, refusing to leave.
Frustrated, I knocked. “You have three hours. I need to return to the hospital.”
An hour later, the doorbell rang.
I opened it to find Lucas, holding a bag with a pink bunny–printed pajama set inside.
“Is Serena here?” he asked, his tone casual.
I spotted a faint pink mark on his neck, and my patience snapped.
“What do you want?”
Lucas smirked, holding out the bag. “She left this in my suitcase. Thought I’d drop it off.”
I gestured toward the bedroom. “She’s in there. Go ahead and take her. You might as well stay a while.”
His smirk faltered briefly, a flicker of guilt crossing his face before he recovered.
“Elias, you’ve got it all wrong. There’s nothing inappropriate between us.”
I shoved the door shut. “Take her and go. I’m heading back to the hospital.”
As the door closed, Serena rushed out, shouting, “Do you have to be so cruel? I’ve told you we’re innocent! Why are you so hostile?”
“Elias, when you’re better, we need to talk.”
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“Elias, when you’re better, we need to talk.”
The door slammed behind me. I ignored her cries and flagged a cab, finally allowing myself to exhale.
