Chapter 1
Before our divorce, I gave my childhood sweetheart–turned–military hero three chances. []
The first time, he told me with guilt in his eyes that he had no choice but to obey the President’s orders–he was demoting me from wife
The second time, he offered me a baby gift–an heirloom brooch from his family–in exchange for me moving out of the main house. [ The third time, I walked away with a shattered heart, and he stood in front of everyone and said my father got what he deserved.]
That’s when I finally saw him for who he truly was 0
Right before I passed out from labor complications, I did one thing:
I had someone hand him the divorce papers I’d signed weeks ago.
They say the decorated young
General went gray overnight.
10
Ever since the executive order about the marriage came down, Frederick had been holed up in his study all night.
It was the first time he didn’t spend the night in my room.
Everyone assumed he was strategizing how to defy the order.
Only I knew the truth: he was waiting for me–his pregnant wife–to go beg him.
Beg him not to defy the President. [
Beg ham to let the other woman move in.
After all, President Nathaniel hadn’t picked just anyone for him–he’d chosen the girl Frederick had fallen for at first sight.
And Frederick couldn’t bear to ruin his image as a man of loyalty.
Nor could he bear to give up his pregnant childhood sweetheart. []
In the master bedroom, I placed a hand over my eight–month belly and swallowed the bitterness.
“Let’s go.”
It was the second day after President Nathaniel’s executive order.
Also the second day since I decided I would leave Frederick. []
It was spring–the White House rose garden was in full bloom. I’d always loved flowers. [
The day I married into the Harrison estate, Frederick had the whole place filled with blooms.
Three years of love so obvious I let myself believe in it.
Now, just one pla
chest ache.[]
glance at those Dowers made my c
From the back courtyard to his study, no one stopped me. No one even announced me. [
So easy in w
was almost laughable–this was supposed to be the home of a national hero? Frederick sat at his desk, dark circles under his eyes.
Serena, you came.”
Lacalded, pretending I didn’t hear the anticipation buried in his voice.
When I didn’t respond, he blinked and said. []
D
mistress.
“Serena, about the order. ”
forced a bitter smile, my eyes brimming
“General, just follow through with it
“Do it for the people in this estate–there are dozens of them.“[]
“I’m begging you” [
I lowered my head before the last word even left my lips. []
Tears slad doven and vanished into the carpet. []
The young general sighed deeply and pulled me into a hug, full of false tenderness.
“Serena, I’m sorry you have to go through this.”
“It’s not the worst.“[
What did pain matter anymore?
I was just hurt–hurt that
you lied to me for so long, only for the truth to finally slip out because Lavinia couldn’t keep her mouth shut,
I wish I wish you’d kept lying.
Instead, you waited until I’d dreamed of a faithful marriage for three years before shattering it all at once.
The baby kicked, as if it could feel my sorrow,
That heartbeat inside ma
me, so close to mine–it made my resolve waver.
Maybe I should stay–for the baby.
Maybe, even i
Maybe
if you don’t love me anymore, you still care about our child.
So many maybes, until one sentence ended them all
“Serena, President Nathaniel knows your father was a traitor.”
“That’s why when Lavinia moves in, she’ll be the legal wife.” [
The handkerchief slipped from my fingers, soundless. I
Like my heart–shattered when no one was looking
“So you’re saying from now on, I’m the mistress?
Frederick didn’t meet my eyes. He just nodded.
I cloved mine.
voice shaking: [
“And the baby?”
He paused, then said hoarsely.
“If you agree, we can list him under Lavinia’s name. He’ll still be the legal heir.”
How generous of you
An if my child were a charity case.
And you really taid that wat load, Frederick
Topened my eyes.
||
My decision was final
I placed a stack of documents on the table.
“These are the estate accounts. The new.. lady of the house should manage them from now on.” [
“I just need your signature here, so there’s no confusion later.”
Frederick froze for a second–maybe surprised 1 was so “understanding.”
But he was already lost in thoughts of Lavinia, so he agreed right away.
Didn’t even glance at the papers before signing.
He set down the pen and squeezed my hand, voice full of false promises.
“Serena, I swear I’ll take even better care of you and the bal
baby,”
I forced a smile.
Take better care?
If you really cared, would you have planned to name the baby after another woman–before she even set foot in the house?
If you really cared about me, would you be this blind to the pain behind my smile?
It was all fake.
Just like the contracts you signed.
The last p page wasn’t an account ledger.
It was the divorce papers rd had ready for weeks.
Our marriage would officially end the day you helped the Hollingsworths retract their testimony.
Countdown: seven days.
