Chapter 2

The next day, he kicked open my bedroom door and threw a dress onto my bed.

"Get up. Put this on. You're coming with me to a party tonight."

"I'm not going."

"I'm not asking for your opinion!" He grabbed my chin hard. "Seraphina, our wedding became the laughingstock of the entire city. Tonight you will pretend to be a loving wife with me and restore the Foster family's reputation!"

The party was packed.

Sure enough, the moment Tristan and I walked in, we became the center of attention.

Whispers buzzed all around us.

"Look, that's the bride who got left at the altar. How pathetic."

"Pathetic? She just couldn't hold onto her man. That's all."

A rich playboy strolled over, wine glass in hand, a smirk on his face.

"Mr. Foster, I heard you played hero at your own wedding and ditched the bride? That true?"

Tristan's face darkened. He stepped forward.

"Watch your mouth. My wife is not for you people to gossip about."

For a moment, watching him protect me, I felt a bit dazed.

I seemed to see the Tristan from three years ago who would stand against the whole world for me.

But the next second, Vivian appeared.

She wore a dress in the same color scheme as mine and stood not far away.

Then she twisted her ankle and fell toward Tristan.

Tristan instinctively pushed me away and rushed over to catch Vivian.

In my high heels, I stumbled from his push and nearly fell.

Once again, all eyes in the room focused on me.

Tristan supported Vivian, soothing her gently. "How can you be so careless? Are you hurt?"

Vivian shook her head, her eyes reddening. "Tristan, I didn't mean to. I just wanted to see you."

Tristan took off his jacket and draped it over Vivian's shoulders.

That jacket had been on my shoulders just moments ago.

Vivian wrapped the jacket tightly around herself and looked at me provocatively.

I held my wine glass and watched them coldly.

To comfort the frightened Vivian, Tristan decided to leave early.

He left me alone at the party.

My business rival, Mr. Lewis, walked over with a wine glass.

"Miss Sterling, newlyweds and all-why are you alone? Where's Mr. Foster?"

I put down my wine glass and looked at him.

"Mr. Lewis, instead of concerning yourself with my personal affairs, why don't you think about how you're going to explain that hole-riddled new energy proposal to your board of directors?"

His expression changed.

I took a taxi home alone, watching the neon lights through the car window.

My phone lit up. It was a message from my lawyer.

"Miss Sterling, everything is ready."

Tristan didn't come home for three days straight.

When his call came, I was reviewing the final version of the agreement the lawyer had revised.

His voice sounded gentle, even carrying a hint of flattery.

"Seraphina, do you remember the restaurant where we had our first date?"

I flipped through the documents and hummed in acknowledgment.

"They make that lemon fish you love so much."

"I remember you said it was the best you'd ever had."

I quietly pressed the record button.

"Really? I forgot."

Tristan's breathing hitched, as if he hadn't expected this reaction from me.

He quickly adjusted his tone.

"Seraphina, don't be angry. What happened at the wedding was my fault."

"But Vivian's situation was urgent. I couldn't just let her die."

"You've always been kind and understanding, haven't you? Won't you forgive me this time?"

Listening to his hypocritical excuses over the phone, I found it laughable.

I had achieved my purpose with the recording. I didn't want to hear his nonsense anymore.

"Is there something you need?"

"Vivian's body is still very weak. The doctor said she needs proper nourishment."

"She heard that the soup you make is delicious and has been asking to try your cooking."

I hung up directly.