Chapter 2

The car pulled up to the Moonlit Springs resort.

I took the garment bag and walked inside.

Chloe stood behind me, wrapped only in a plush bathrobe.

I kept my eyes down. "I brought your clothes. I'll take off now."

Vincent sat submerged in the steamy thermal pool, his dark eyes fixed on me.

"What's the rush?"

He offered a shameless smirk. "It's freezing out. Doesn't Mrs. Hayes want to join us for a soak?"

He emphasized "Mrs. Hayes" with deliberate bite.

I pressed my lips together. "I won't interrupt you two."

His expression darkened. "Serena, you live off my dime. I ask you for a simple favor, and you’re already throwing an attitude?"

"What do you want me to do? I'll do it."

I gave him a bright, spotless smile.

Vincent frowned. "Chloe doesn't know how to tie a kimono properly. You need to dress her."

"Sure."

Chloe shrugged off her robe, revealing skin marked with fresh hickeys.

Her eyes glittered with smug triumph. "Thanks for dressing me, Mrs. Hayes."

I picked up the robe, swallowing the bitter taste in my mouth.

The silk garment was intricate, requiring multiple sash ties around the waist.

By the time I finished, sweat was beading on my forehead.

Chloe went out of her way to be difficult.

"Mrs. Hayes, you tied it way too tight. How is Vince supposed to undo it later?"

I loosened it as told, but she immediately found another flaw.

"The collar is completely crooked. Have you ever done this before? You're so clumsy."

I stood up, bent down, and adjusted it again. A dull ache began throbbing in my lower abdomen.

I bit my lip hard until the sash was finally secured.

Vincent watched the whole display from the water, his expression icy.

I had been married to Vincent for nine years. During the first five, I was the revered Mrs. Hayes. Everyone in high society knew the unwritten rule: offend Vincent and you might survive, but offend his wife and your family business would be ruined overnight.

No one in our circle had dared utter a harsh word to me.

Now, a cheap car show model could humiliate me openly, all because she had Vincent's backing.

Chloe spun around barefoot on the marble floor.

Her eyes curved into a sweet, girlish crescent. "Vince, do I look pretty?"

Vincent’s eyes darkened. "Sweetheart, you look gorgeous in anything."

Sweetheart. That was what he called every single one of them.

I had zero interest in watching their little performance and turned to leave.

Vincent called out again.

"I bought you a diamond necklace. Come take a look."

He was making up for taking my emerald necklace last time.

It was his favorite routine: humiliate me, then toss me an expensive peace offering to give us both an out and keep up appearances.

I found it almost laughable.

"Vincent, you know I don't care about jewelry."

"Save it for your other girls. I'm going home."

Chloe bit her lip, jealousy flashing across her face. In a sickeningly sweet voice, she purred, "Vince, if your wife doesn't want it, why don't you give it to me?"

The man who had been smiling a second ago snapped.

"Who said you could speak while I'm talking to my wife?"

"Get out!"

Chloe froze, her face instantly draining of color.

Vincent suddenly lunged out of the water, his hand trembling as he clamped onto my jaw.

"Serena! Are you dead inside? She’s parading right in front of your face! Get jealous! Why aren't you throwing a fit? Don't you love me anymore?"

Facing his manic glare, I slowly lifted my eyes.

Every syllable fell cool and deliberate.

"Didn't you tell me that to be your wife, I had to stop being jealous?"

"Loving you means giving you your freedom. I gave it to you. Why aren't you happy?"