Chapter 1

Five years into my marriage to a cold, powerful snake shifter, I find out my husband has been in love with someone else all along.

That night, Sebastian Vapenti is kneeling between my legs in the tight black lace servant outfit I made him wear.

Normally, this would be my favorite part of the night.

Tonight, I just sigh and pull his head back.

“Not tonight.”

Sebastian looks up at me, clearly confused.

His dark hair is slightly messy, and there is still a wet shine on his lips.

One of his large hands slides over my calf, then lifts my leg again.

Judging from the look on his face, he doesn't believe me at all.

“You have an early meeting tomorrow,” I remind him.

His breathing is still a little uneven.

“I know.” His voice is low and rough. “Let me make you feel good first, okay?”

His snake tail is already coiled around my chest.

The tip presses against my lips, kneading them teasingly before trying to slip between them.

Heat rushes straight to my face.

I quickly grab his tail and pull it away.

“I said no. I'm serious.”

Sebastian freezes.

I straighten my clothes and slip back under the covers.

“Forget it tonight. Go get some sleep.”

For several seconds, he doesn't move.

He is still kneeling beside the bed, staring at me like he has no idea what just happened.

Honestly, I understand why.

I've never turned him down before.

Eventually, Sebastian gets off the bed.

Without saying anything, he slowly removes the lace outfit.

I turn my back to him.

The second I close my eyes, I think about the diary I found in his study that afternoon.

I wasn't trying to snoop.

It had fallen from the shelf, and when I picked it up, the pages opened.

Then I saw what he'd written.

Page after page was filled with his feelings for a woman he'd loved for years.

The more I read, the colder I felt.

Then I found the photograph.

The girl in it has short hair.

Sunlight covers most of her face, so I can't see her clearly.

But I'm sure she isn't me.

I've always had long hair, almost down to my waist.

The last entry hurts the most.

*I never thought I'd end up marrying her.*

*I won't write in this diary anymore.*

I stared at those words for a long time.

He never thought he'd marry me.

Of course he didn't.

Five years ago, I got pregnant after one reckless night with him.

That was why Sebastian married me.

Not because he loved me.

Not because he wanted me.

He simply had no choice.

And somehow, I spent the next five years believing that maybe, somewhere along the way, he had fallen for me too.

God.

I must look ridiculous.

Sebastian has always been quiet and reserved.

I'm the complete opposite.

I hug him whenever I want.

I kiss him whenever I want.

I climb all over him in bed and tease him until his ears turn red.

Sometimes I push him so far that his whole body goes tense, his jaw locks, and even the tip of his tail starts twitching.

I used to find it adorable.

Now I wonder if I've just been annoying him all these years.

The bathroom door opens behind me.

A little later, Sebastian gets into bed.

His skin is cool from the shower.

Like always, his long arm reaches around my waist and pulls me against his chest.

Normally, I would turn around immediately and wrap myself around him.

Tonight, I push his arm away.

“Don't get so close.”

He pauses.

“It's hot.”

Sebastian goes still.

Even with my back to him, I can feel him staring at me.

I quietly move farther away.

Another first.

Usually, even if I'm sweating, I still insist on sticking to him all night.

The bedroom stays silent for a long time.

Then I hear his voice behind me.

“Baby?”

I bury my face deeper into the pillow.

“Hmm?”

“Did something happen today?”

His voice is softer than usual.

I close my eyes.

“No.”

I don't want to ask him about the diary.

What's the point?

If he really has loved another woman all these years, making him explain himself won't suddenly make him love me.

Eventually, exhaustion takes over.

Sometime in the middle of the night, while I'm half asleep, I feel something wrapping tightly around my body.

It squeezes me so firmly that I can barely breathe.

I frown and try to move.

It only tightens.

Sebastian's tail.

I want to push it away, but I'm too sleepy.

By morning, he's already gone.

I stretch beneath the blanket, then immediately wince.

My thighs feel strangely sore.

I blink.

That's weird.

We didn't even do anything last night.

Before I can think about it any further, the bedroom door slowly opens.

A small face appears through the gap.

“Mom?”

My five-year-old son, Noah Vapenti, peeks inside.

The moment he sees that I'm awake, he pushes the door open and runs over.

“Dad said to tell you breakfast is ready.”

The second I see him, I instinctively reach for him.

Usually, I pull him into my arms, kiss his cheeks, mess up his hair, and squeeze him until he complains.

Noah sits on the edge of the bed.

Then, like this is part of our usual morning routine, he turns his cheek toward me.

“Fine.”

His little face stays serious.

“You can kiss me.”

I almost laugh.

“But hurry up,” he adds. “I just fixed my hair. If you mess it up, the kids at school are going to laugh at me.”

His cheeks are already turning red.

He looks exactly like Sebastian.

Same serious expression.

Same stubborn mouth.

Same habit of pretending he doesn't like affection while waiting for it anyway.

Normally, I would grab him and kiss him several times just to make him complain.

Today, I don't.

My hand stops halfway.

I suddenly think about everything I've done for the past five years.

Maybe I've been selfish.

Just because I like hugging and kissing people doesn't mean they like it too.

Sebastian puts up with me.

Maybe Noah does too.

He's only five, and he's already telling me not to kiss him so much.

No wonder he's always so serious around me.

I slowly lower my hand.

“No kiss today.”

Noah's eyes widen.

For some reason, he suddenly looks startled.

His mouth opens.

Then closes.

He stares at me for a few seconds, like he's waiting for me to change my mind.

I don't.

“Mom wants to ask you something.”