Chapter 4

After being with Julian Carter, I gradually understood why Derek always cheated.

The vibrant, youthful body and just the right amount of emotional intimacy – I had no reason not to like it.

After that night, hooked on the thrill, I stayed at Julian's place for several days straight.

If I hadn't run into Derek and Amber at the mall, I might have completely forgotten I was still a married woman.

"Serena Wallace?" I heard someone call my name while I was picking out clothes at The Grand Pavilion Mall.

I looked up, meeting Derek's confused gaze. "What are you doing here?"

How annoying.

Amber was clinging to Derek's arm, pouting. "Oh, wow, I didn't realize you came to places this high-end now, sis."

In the past, I'd been with Derek through his struggles, knowing how hard he worked to start his business, so I never splurged.

No wonder Derek's friends used to say I was tacky and stingy, not classy enough.

I wasn't annoyed. I just tossed the men's clothing I was holding onto the counter and waved to Liam, the sales associate. "Excuse me, could you bag these up for me? Mr. Hayes will be paying."

Liam, the SA, eagerly brought over the POS machine. I looked at Derek and Amber and said, "Well, I just realized something. If I don't spend my own husband's money, some random gold-digger will spend it for me."

"So I might as well be the one to spend it!"

"Mr. Hayes, look at her! Is she saying *I'm* some 'random nobody'?"

Amber whined, shaking Derek's arm.

Derek, surprisingly, ignored her. Instead, he asked hesitantly, "Why are you buying so many men's clothes?"

"None of your business. From now on, I won't meddle in your affairs, and you won't meddle in mine!"

I smiled, snatched his card, swiped it on the POS machine, grabbed the clothes, and walked away.

"Serena Wallace, wait."

Derek quickly caught up to me, his voice dark.

"I know you've been staying with your parents lately. Stay there as long as you want, but I'll just say this: my mom is still waiting for a grandchild. If you don't have one, plenty of other people will."

"So I advise you to know when to quit, before things get messy!"

I nodded, feigning innocence. "I never said I wouldn't have a baby. It just might not be yours. Would you like that?"

"What do you mean?!" Derek was furious.

"Isn't it obvious? I found a man!" I left Derek standing there, walking away without a backward glance.