Chapter 4

The next day, I walked in after working late, and the scene before me stopped me in my tracks.

The dining table was set with a beautifully arranged meal, candles flickering romantically on either side.

Seraphina, dressed in a sexy nightgown, sat at the table.

Seeing me return, Seraphina smiled brightly.

"Honey, come sit! Look what I've prepared for you."

When I didn't move, Seraphina got up and took my hand, leading me to the table.

"I didn't sleep a wink last night, thinking so much. These past two months, it hasn't just been me suffering; you have too."

"I was so lost in my own pain, I didn't consider your feelings. I won't do that again. Let's start a new life together."

"Honey, let's stop this fighting, okay?"

As Seraphina spoke, she subtly pushed out her chest.

After two years of marriage, I knew exactly what Seraphina's little gesture was supposed to mean.

Ever since what happened two months ago, Seraphina had vehemently resisted my touch.

Forget intimacy; sometimes, if I just moved a little closer to her, she would shriek in terror.

It seemed she thought I wanted a divorce because she wouldn't let me touch her, and this elaborate display was her attempt to fix that.

Hah, she really underestimated me.

I pulled my hand free and turned on the living room lights.

"Seraphina, stop with these pointless theatrics."

"I told you, no matter what, this divorce is happening."

Seraphina froze, seemingly shocked that even after all this, I still wouldn't agree.

But before she could speak, two figures burst out of the guest room.

Brenda and Arthur stood before me, faces contorted with fury.

Arthur pointed a finger at my nose, but his words were directed at Seraphina.

"How could I have given birth to such a useless daughter! How could you fall for a man like this? Look at you, you've gone to such lengths and he *still* wants a divorce! He's just playing with you!"

Brenda's face was also furious, but mixed with a mother's pain for her daughter.

She pulled Seraphina behind her.

"I've lived long enough to know what's what! This animal must be cheating!"

"What kind of society do we live in where someone would insist on divorce over *this*? Besides, if you wanted a divorce, why didn't you do it two months ago? Why *now*?"

"Liam, I'm asking you, do you have someone else?!"

Seraphina looked utterly bewildered, even her crying stopped.

"Liam, is what Mom saying true?"

Without waiting for my answer, she mumbled on.

"Yes, it must be. These past two months, you've been coming home late every night. I asked you what you were doing, and you wouldn't say."

"So you really *do* have someone else! Liam! How could you do this to me?!"

Seraphina's nerve, trying to twist this around on me, was almost comical.

"Who's cheating here? Who has someone else?"

"Seraphina, your parents are right here. Do you dare tell them—"

Before I could finish, Brenda, overcome with rage, lunged at me, all teeth and claws.

"I'll kill you! I'll kill you, you animal! You're not even human!"

"My daughter went through such a terrible thing, and you're out there seeing other people?! You're a monster!"

I hadn't expected Brenda to suddenly lash out. Her nails raked across my face before I could even react, leaving several stinging, bloody scratches.

But she was an elder. No matter how bad things were between Seraphina and me, I couldn't lay a hand on her.

I quickly stepped back, putting distance between Brenda and me.

Seraphina was also startled and quickly pulled her mother back.

I looked at Arthur, who still had a few shreds of reason left.

"Take her home."

"I'll say it again: if you don't want me to make this ugly, then let's get this divorce done quickly."