Chapter 2

Noah's eyes widen.

He looks like he wants to say something, but can't quite get the words out.

Finally, he asks awkwardly, “What is it, Mom?”

“If... if Dad and I both had to go away on long trips, who would you go with?”

I know I shouldn't ask him something like this.

But I still want to know his answer.

If Sebastian really has someone he's loved all these years, what right do I have to keep holding on to him?

Noah suddenly jumps off the bed and folds his arms.

“Then obviously I'd go with Dad.”

My heart tightens.

“Mom, you keep kissing me all the time. I'm already a big boy. I don't like it when you do that!”

He runs downstairs as soon as he finishes.

I sit there, stunned.

So my son really does dislike me, just like his father does.

I force a bitter smile and bite my lip to keep myself from crying.

After washing up, I go downstairs and pretend nothing happened.

Sebastian has already made breakfast.

He and Noah are sitting at the table, waiting for me.

Sebastian looks up.

“What took you so long? Come eat before it gets cold.”

I sit down and take a small sip of milk.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice both of them suddenly go still.

They look like they're waiting for something.

Usually, breakfast starts with me hugging Sebastian and showering him with compliments.

“Baby, you're amazing. Kiss me.”

“Those hands are supposed to sign billion-dollar contracts. How can I let you cook breakfast for me?”

Then I hug Noah and kiss him too.

“I'm so lucky to have both of you.”

But now I know they probably hate that.

“All right, Noah. Eat your breakfast. You still have preschool.”

Sebastian speaks first.

His voice sounds unusually stiff.

Noah lowers his head too.

He doesn't look very happy.

I ignore them and start thinking about everything else instead.

Sebastian is a snake shifter.

He's also the CEO of Vapenti Holdings.

Humans and shifters have legally been equal for years.

But with their greater strength and natural abilities, many powerful shifter families have risen to the top of society.

My family is wealthy too.

But compared to the Vapenti family's century-old power, we're nowhere close.

Under normal circumstances, Sebastian and I probably never would have crossed paths.

But five years ago, I attended a party.

Someone had drugged my drink.

Then I walked into the wrong room.

A man's burning kiss landed on me.

His hands moved over my skin, touching and teasing until my whole body went weak in his arms.

By the end, my legs were trembling as I tried to get away.

He caught my ankle and dragged me back.

Then everything started all over again.

The last thing I remember before passing out is the sight of his two dicks between my legs.

Snake shifters really are built differently.

I still remember the next morning.

Sebastian opened his eyes, saw me beside him, and looked completely stunned.

I take a bite of my sandwich.

So he really never wanted to marry me.

I heard that when Sebastian returned to his clan that day, the elders punished him.

He took fifty lashes under clan law.

“Baby.”

Sebastian reaches over and wipes some sauce from the corner of my mouth.

“What are you thinking about?”

Without thinking, I catch his finger between my lips and lick it.

Sebastian immediately pulls his hand back.

The tips of his ears turn red.

My eyes widen when I realize what I just did.

At that moment, my phone rings on the table.

I glance at the screen.

Ryan Calloway.

I pick up my phone and walk away to answer.

I don't notice Sebastian's hand tightening around his fork behind me.

“Hello? Why are you calling me out of nowhere?”

Ryan's lazy voice comes through the phone.

“Obviously because I need something. I land at Greyford International at ten this morning. Come pick me up. We can get everyone together tonight.”

I laugh.

“Fine. Wait for me.”

Ryan grew up with me.

Our families lived close to each other, and our parents were business partners.

We've been friends since we were kids.

When I return to the table, I'm in a hurry to finish breakfast.

I don't notice both Sebastian and Noah watching me.

Noah is the first one who can't hold back.

“Mom, if you don't hurry, you're going to be late taking me to school.”

“I'm not taking you today.”

I wipe my mouth.

“I have something to do. The driver can take you.”

Then I stand up to go upstairs and change.

Sebastian suddenly gets to his feet and grabs my hand.

His chair scrapes loudly against the floor.

“You're not taking me either?”

I look at him.

For a second, I almost think I see something like hope in his eyes.

Maybe even pleading.

I must be imagining it.

Sebastian Vapenti is ruthless in business.

People beg him for favors.

He doesn't beg anyone.

“I have plans today, so no.”

I pause.

“And from now on... I won't take you anymore.”

Seeing me all the time probably annoys him anyway.

I pull my hand away and go upstairs.

I don't hear Sebastian murmur behind me.

“So now that he's back, she doesn't want us anymore? Not even a good-morning kiss...”

By the time I come downstairs again, both Sebastian and Noah are gone.

I hide the ache in my chest and head toward the door.

Mrs. Miller walks over.

“Mrs. Vapenti, Noah seemed a little unhappy today. I think he still wanted you to take him to school.”

I force a smile, remembering what Noah said earlier.

“No. He's probably happy.”

I lower my eyes.

“He's just like Sebastian. Neither of them shows what they're feeling.”

Mrs. Miller hesitates.

Then she asks, “Mrs. Vapenti, are you still making Mr. Vapenti's lunch today?”

I stop.

Usually, I bring Sebastian lunch every day.

Sometimes, when I'm in the mood, I even cook it myself.

But now...

“No.”

I grab my bag.

“I'm not making it. And I'm not taking it to him anymore.”

Then I leave before I can change my mind.