Chapter 3

I took a deep breath, blinking hard to pull myself out of the memory.

I watched Seraphina's back as she went upstairs, silently making a decision:

Seven years of devotion, and not a single response from you. Seraphina, I'm tired...

Lily looked up, confused, and asked,

"Daddy, why did Seraphina say you're a rapist?"

My eyes welled up. I forced back tears, knelt down, and managed a strained smile.

"Because Seraphina... she misunderstood Daddy!"

Lily reached out her small hand and gently wiped away a tear from the corner of my eye.

"Daddy, don't cry! Seraphina might misunderstand Daddy, but Lily won't."

I was deeply moved and hugged Lily. "Lily, you're so sweet."

Lily thought for a moment, then sadly said, "Daddy, Seraphina... she still has two chances."

I froze, then released Lily and looked into her eyes, my own eyes welling up again. Then I nodded heavily.

"Alright!"

In Lily's room, on her nightstand, sat a carefully pieced-together photo frame with a picture of three people.

In it, I held Lily, a joyful smile on my face.

Seraphina's photo, however, was clearly cut out and pasted onto the right side, sharing the same frame.

What appeared to be a complete family portrait was, in fact, a fabrication.

Lily was already tucked into bed. I leaned over, carefully pulling up the covers.

She gripped the blanket with both hands, hiding her mouth and nose beneath it, only her bright eyes visible, wide awake.

I playfully pinched Lily's nose and softly said,

"Go to sleep, sweetie. Winter break is over; school starts tomorrow!"

Lily's innocent face peeked out from under the covers, her eyes sparkling with anticipation:

"Daddy, can Seraphina come with me to the school orientation tomorrow? All the other kids have their moms, and Lily wants a mommy too..."

I froze, a little lost in thought. "Lily, Seraphina might... not have time tomorrow..."

My voice held a hint of hesitation, afraid to shatter my child's fantasy.

"Daddy, can it be her second chance, please?"

Her eyes pleaded, and her small body sat up in bed, hands clasped together.

I pondered for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright, Daddy will talk to Seraphina."

After tucking Lily in, I quietly got up and left the room.

...

In Seraphina's master bedroom, she had just emerged from the bathroom, steam clinging to her skin.

Just then, her phone chimed with a crisp SnapChat notification.

She walked to the bed, picked up her phone, unlocked the screen, and played the voice message.

Julian's magnetic voice emanated from the phone:

"Seraphina, I just left you, and I already miss you. I wish I could see you all the time."

Hearing this, Seraphina's lips curved into an unconscious, sweet smile.

She quickly tapped the voice input button, her eyes crinkling with amusement as she replied,

"Alright, alright, I promise! The first face you see when you wake up tomorrow morning will be mine!"

Immediately after, her phone chimed again with another voice message from Julian:

"Really? Oh, and by the way, Seraphina, I heard that Mayor Thompson, Metropolis City's most influential figure, is hosting a gala at the Grand Regency Hotel in three days, and even the Northwood Group has been alerted. I just got back from overseas and need to expand my network. Could you introduce me?"

Seraphina was about to reply.

Suddenly, a knock on the door broke the room's tranquility.

Her brows furrowed in annoyance as she looked up at the door.

I gently pushed the door open and walked in.

Seraphina merely glanced at me dismissively, then lowered her head, her fingers busily tapping on her phone screen. She asked with annoyance, "What do you want?"

I paused slightly, choosing my words carefully.

"School starts tomorrow, and Lily hopes you can attend her orientation ceremony..."

At that moment, Seraphina's entire focus was on her phone screen; she paid no attention to what I was saying.

She was typing a reply, and a "Sure" appeared on the screen.

"Sure!" Seraphina instinctively blurted out.

Her affirmation and the message sending happened simultaneously.

I was utterly taken aback, a flicker of surprise and joy flashing in my eyes.

I asked incredulously, "You agreed?"

Seraphina looked up, frowning in confusion, her voice cold. "I'm going to sleep. Don't disturb me unless it's important!"

I was about to confirm again, but Seraphina pushed me out of the master bedroom.

I stood at the master bedroom door, watching Seraphina firmly shut it.

I stood there, stunned, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me.

Just then, Lily peeked out from her room.

Her eyes held a hint of apprehension and disappointment, and she whispered, "Daddy, did Mommy... not agree?"

I turned, a wide smile instantly plastered on my face. "Lily, I told you to go to sleep! Why are you out of bed again?"

Lily looked at me anxiously. "Daddy, did Seraphina agree?"

I reached out and patted Lily's head. "Of course she did! Seraphina agreed to attend your school orientation tomorrow."

Lily's eyes immediately lit up. She jumped excitedly, asking in disbelief, "Really, Daddy?"

Infected by Lily's enthusiasm, I nodded heavily.

"That's great! Daddy, when Mommy comes to the orientation tomorrow, I'm going to tell her that the teacher likes me the most!" Lily exclaimed, dancing with joy, her small face radiating happiness.

"Alright, alright! Our Lily is the best!" I said, picking Lily up and carrying her back to her room.

At the bedside, I carefully tucked Lily into bed, diligently pulling up the covers.

Lily looked on with anticipation, her eyes sparkling. "Daddy, will we go to school with Mommy as soon as I wake up?"

I playfully ruffled Lily's hair. "Yes, now go to sleep!"

Lily obediently closed her eyes, a sweet smile still on her lips.

I got up and quietly turned off the light and closed the door.

I turned around, my gaze involuntarily drawn to Seraphina's master bedroom, thinking to myself:

Seraphina, I hope tomorrow, you won't disappoint Lily...

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing the mansion's living room.

I stood in the center of the hall, skillfully braiding Lily's hair. She was already dressed and wore her small backpack.

Lily looked upstairs, asking with anticipation, "Daddy, why isn't Mommy down yet?"

Her eyes held a mix of eagerness and longing.

My hands continued their work. "After Daddy finishes your braid, we'll go up and find Seraphina together, okay?"

"Okay!" Lily obediently agreed.

Soon, I finished braiding Lily's hair.

I looked at the neat, beautiful braid and smiled with satisfaction.

"The braid's done. Let's go call Seraphina!"

Lily nodded happily, her eyes sparkling with joy.

I took Lily's hand, and together, we walked upstairs.

We stood at the master bedroom door and knocked, once, twice. But the room remained silent; no one answered.

A look of increasing anxiety appeared on my face.

Lily looked up, her eyes filled with worry:

"Daddy, do you think Seraphina is sick? Maybe she didn't hear us knocking?"

I knocked more urgently, asking anxiously, "Seraphina? Seraphina? Are you in there? Say something!"

My voice held a hint of unease as I pounded on the door, but still, there was no movement from inside.

My brows furrowed. I said in a deep voice, "If you don't say anything, I'm coming in..."

As I spoke, I looked down at the doorknob.

My mind drifted, as if transported back to the day we got our marriage certificate.

Inside Seraphina's mansion, Seraphina and I walked in, one after the other.

Seraphina casually tossed the marriage certificate onto the table, then haughtily turned back to me, who was beaming with joy.

"Liam, even though we've already gotten our certificate, I have three rules for you."

I looked at Seraphina with a wide smile and quickly replied, "Okay, tell me!"

Seraphina spoke with a cold expression.

"First, we must keep our marriage a secret from everyone."

"Second, you are not to enter my room or touch my things without my permission."

"Third, you are not allowed to have any intimate contact with me!"

My smile froze, but I eventually nodded and softly said, "Okay!"

Steeling myself, I returned to the present.

I gritted my teeth, made up my mind, and pressed down on the doorknob.

The unlocked door swung gently open. Lily, her heart filled with joy, ran inside, shouting, "Mommy..."

However, the room was neatly tidied but empty.

Lily looked back at me, puzzled. "Daddy, where's Mommy?"

I looked at the empty room, my expression blank for a moment, then I smiled and reassured Lily, "Daddy will call Seraphina right now!"

I pulled out my phone and quickly dialed her number.

From the other end came a cold automated message: "Hello, the number you have dialed is not answering."

Undeterred, I kept dialing.

Lily's eyes gradually dimmed, and she whispered,

"Daddy, Mommy isn't coming to my orientation, is she?"

Her eyes were slightly red, filled with confusion and hurt, unable to understand why her mother had disappointed her yet again.

I put away my phone, still smiling, and looked at Lily.

"Seraphina probably... went to work. It's okay, Lily. Daddy will always be with you, no matter what."

With that, I took Lily's hand, and we left for school.