Chapter 2

Seraphina's POV

Not long after, Peyton came home.

"Darling, I'm back."

In the bedroom, as soon as he saw me, he quickly walked toward me, reaching out to pull me into his arms.

I quietly shifted to the side, gently avoiding his touch.

Peyton's hand froze in midair. A flash of displeasure swept through his eyes, then was quickly covered by a warm smile.

The scene from the hospital replayed repeatedly in my mind.

Peyton holding Lily, his tone indulgent.

This was the man I'd known for over a decade, with whom I'd shared five years of marriage. He was the boy whose ears would turn red when kissing me, nervous enough to sweat from his palms.

How had he become like this?

"Darling, what's wrong?"

Peyton softened his voice. "Are you still angry that I've been away on business for so long? But I've really been busy lately. Forgive me, okay?"

He stepped forward, trying to get close again.

I took half a step back, keeping my distance.

The tenderness on Peyton's face faded somewhat, a barely perceptible forcefulness suppressed in his eyes.

He reached out and gripped my wrist. The force wasn't great, but carried an inescapable sense of control.

"Why are you avoiding me?"

Peyton glanced at the suitcase nearby and frowned.

That was something I'd packed in advance.

I couldn't stay in a home full of betrayal. I needed to find my own child.

Peyton looked down at me, his tone still gentle but hiding an interrogation. "Why did you get out your suitcase? Are you trying to disappear quietly again like last time, making it impossible for me to find you?"

My heart ached.

I remembered that year in college when we had a fight and I hid in the library, refusing to see him. Peyton searched for me all night like a madman. The next day, he held me with reddened eyes, his voice hoarse, saying he'd never let me leave his side again.

Back then, he was clean, innocent, careful.

And now, all he had left for me was suffocating possession and control.

As if I were one of his possessions.

I suppressed the bitterness in my throat, forcing myself to lower my eyes. "I'm not avoiding you. I was just sorting through old things I don't need anymore. I got dust on myself and was afraid of dirtying your clothes."

I couldn't expose myself. I couldn't let him know I already knew the truth about the child, and I couldn't let him know I was preparing to leave.

Peyton's expression relaxed. He walked over and hugged me tightly, his tone affectionate.

"It's okay. I missed you and the baby."

Once, that sweetness would have moved me.

Now it only turns my stomach.

And this baby. What a joke.

Before I could speak, Peyton's phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the screen, his eyes flickering, then turned and walked to the balcony to take the call.

His voice was extremely low, yet still couldn't hide its tenderness.

"Mm, I'm at home... Don't move around, I'll come see you now..."

I stood in place, my fingertips ice cold.

Peyton hung up the phone. When he turned to speak to me, he was as natural as if nothing had happened.

"The company has an urgent matter. I need to go out for a bit. Take good care of the child at home. Don't overthink things."

He left quickly.

The moment the door closed, I could no longer hold on and slowly slid down to the floor.

The child in the crib slept peacefully, but I was freezing all over.

Not long after, an anonymous text message popped up, with an audio recording attached.

My fingers trembling, I clicked play.

Peyton's voice came through, low and husky, with suppressed panting.

"Lily..."

Lily's voice was full of grievance. "Who do you really love? I don't want to keep sneaking around with you like this..."

Peyton laughed lowly, his tone casual yet cruel.

"Of course I love you. Seraphina is rigid and boring. She's getting old too. I've been tired of her for a long time."

Lily laughed smugly. "But when I think about my son calling her mommy every day, I get so annoyed... Her child died right after being born. Why does she get to keep my child!"

"Darling, don't be angry."

Peyton coaxed her gently. "I just bought a fifty-million-dollar jewelry set. I'll have it delivered to you tomorrow. Our child will return to your side sooner or later."

He paused, his voice deepening. "For now... let's enjoy our beautiful time together."

...

I was thunderstruck, all the blood in my body instantly freezing.

I finally understood.

A year ago on the day I gave birth, what I experienced wasn't an accident, but a long-planned conspiracy.

The child I nearly died giving birth to had died long ago.

And Lily, whom I supported with all my effort and trusted, had slept with my husband, given birth to my "son," and was now pregnant with a second child, waiting to take my place.

Five years of marriage. Ten years of deep affection.

What he gave me wasn't a home, but an elaborately woven lie.

I gripped my phone, tears silently falling onto the screen.

I slowly stood up, my eyes gradually changing from shattered to desolate, then from desolate to coldly resolute.

Peyton. Lily.

Everything you owe me and my child, I will take it all back!