Chapter 2

Seraphina POV

Ethan frowned slightly, seemingly quite annoyed by my questioning.

"Yes." He admitted it without evasion, looking down at me haughtily. "Since you've heard it all, I no longer need to waste words hiding it from you."

The cruel truth became countless sharp blades, tearing my heart to shreds.

Five years!

My husband, whom I had deeply loved for five years, and my son, whom I cherished as a treasure, were all a lie! What I thought was mutual love and sincere affection was nothing but a long-planned scheme and exploitation.

Elara stood up, subtly leaning back into Ethan, her eyes shimmering as she looked at me, appearing utterly pitiful.

"Seraphina, don't blame Ethan. I was the one who insisted on leaving back then. He only resorted to marrying you to protect Leo. Don't worry, I won't ruin your marriage. All I want is Leo."

"Shut up!" I sharply interrupted her, my eyes bloodshot. I pointed to the door. "This is my home! Get out, and take your fake sincerity with you!"

The words had barely left my lips when Leo rushed over like a protective little animal, pushing me hard.

"Don't you dare yell at my mom! You ugly freak, you get out of my house!"

Caught off guard, I stumbled back half a step, my lower back hitting hard against the corner of a cabinet by the door. I gasped in pain.

I stared in disbelief at the hostile little boy before me. This was the child I had cared for through countless sleepless nights, the one I had held in my arms when he had a fever, not daring to close my eyes. Could a blood tie really erase five years of shared life so easily?

Ethan stepped forward, shielding Leo behind him, his eyes as cold as ice, as if I were some detestable criminal.

"Seraphina, watch your attitude. Elara isn't well; she can't handle any stress."

I laughed in anger, tears streaming silently down my pale cheeks.

"She can't handle stress, but what about me?" I pounded my chest, my voice raw with agony.

"Ethan, for these five years, I stood by you, from being the unfavored son of the Thorne family to becoming the heir of Thorne Group today. I put all my design passion, all my talent, under Elara's name, helping you pave the way for her. I gave my whole heart to you and your son. Is this how you repay me?"

Ethan's eyes were as hard as steel, completely unfazed.

"Just tell me what compensation you want. Money, a downtown property, or shares in Thorne Corp. I can give you all of it." His tone was condescending, as if he were shooing away a beggar.

"As long as you cooperate and publicly claim that all those designs were Elara's inspiration, you can keep the title of Mrs. Thorne. As long as you stay in your place, there will always be a spot for you in the Thorne family."

I looked at this man, both familiar and strange, and felt a wave of nausea.

I once believed that Ethan was the man who loved me most in the world.

In the dead of winter, if I casually mentioned a craving for tiramisu from a specific bakery, he'd drive across half of New York to get it. When I hit a design block and felt anxious, he'd hold me all night, comforting me.

It turned out all that deep affection was a disguise, all that favoritism a mere chip to pave the way for another woman.

I took a deep breath, pushing down all the brokenness and despair in my eyes, and straightened my spine.

"Ethan, we're getting a divorce."