Chapter 5.
The excited look on his face froze mid–smile, turning almost cartoonishly ridiculous.[
Frederick’s hands shook as he took the letter and scanned it, skimming each line like it might change if he read fast enough.
Then he staggered back a step, clutching his chest like he’d been shot.
He’d braced himself for a screaming match–maybe even a slap across the face.
But divorce?
That, he didn’t see coming.
He crumpled the paper in his fist, muttering like he couldn’t believe it: []
“It’s just a change in title… does it really have to come to this?
The midwife, maybe too used to high–society drama and cheating husbands, couldn’t help herself.
She snapped back
“The whole town knew how you stood up to your family and married Serena for love–childhood sweethearts, remember? People used to tell your story like it was out of a fairy tale.”
“And now you’re tossing her aside while she’s still in recovery just so your mistress can have the spotlight?” ||
“Even strangers can feel how cold that is. What do you think it feels like to your wife?”
Frederick had no comeback. His face turned ashen. ||
Now it made sense-
Why I didn’t cry or beg when I moved out of the main house.
Why I didn’t even flinch when I saw the White House roses we planted together ripped out by the roots.
Demoting your wife, separating a mother from her baby, breaking every promise you ever made..
It wasn’t just betrayal
It was cruel. [
He saw how much it hurt the.
He just didn’t care.]
He left me to bleed on my own and expected me to get over it
But be overestimated his charm-]
And underestimated my will.
Lavinia sauntered over and took the divorce p papers, skimming them with a smirk tugging at her lips.
“Oon’t worry, She’s just acting out“]
“My aunt used to pull this same trick whenever the was uptor.”
Frederick looked at her, visibly relieved.
The midwife just sighed, took the baby, and walked back inside
Lavinia, pretending to be helpful, tried again:]
“General, siper the haby’s here safe and sound, maybe it’s best to move him to the main house. Let the nanny take over so Serena ran rest.
Frederick frowned, thinking.
Then shook his head. ||
“She just gave birth.“||
“Let the baby stay with her for now, We’ll move him later.“[
He didn’t look at Lavinia again as he stepped inside.
I woke up three days later, weak as hell and barely able to sit up.
It felt like my whole body had been hollowed out.
Frederick walked in carrying a bowl of soup,
The second he saw me move, he rushed to my side and pressed me back down onto the pillows.
“Serena, the doctor said you need rest.”]
“You’re still too weak to be moving around.”
I ignored him.
My eyes darted around the room, searching
“The baby’s with the nanny,” he said quickly.
“Just getting fed. Fll have him brought in soon.”
“Here, drink some soup. I made it myself in the kitchen. Tell me if it tastes okay?
He ladled out half a bowl, blew on it gently, and held it to my li
lips like I was made of glass.
“Come on, sweetheart. Once you finish this, I’ll bring the baby.”
I stared at him for a long moment.
Then finally spoke, voice cracked and worn thin:]
“Frederick. how am I supposed to believe anything you say?”
His hand trembled. A drop of broth hit the blanket.
His voice dropped, almost pleading: I
“Serena I know I messed up. I’ve been heating myself up every day since you passed out.”
I frowned in disgust.
Snatched the soup from his hands and downed it in one
“I want to see my child
my child.“[]
He opened his mouth, hut my tone cut him off. (
When our eyes met–cold and flat–he froze.
“Serena don’t be like this..“[]
He reached for my hand tried to press into his cheek.
Then came Lavinia’s voice from outside, loud and scornful.]
set the bowl down hard on the nightstand.
tal’s such a drama queen. It was just a touch. No reason to scream like that.” ||
My blood ran böt.
to the door.
I threw off the blankets and staggered to the
Tall but ripped the baby from the nanny’s arms.
Lavinia wrinkled her nose at the sight of me–pale, hair disheveled, robe half open.
She sneered:
“Really. Serena? You’re dragging the General’s name through the mud with this little act.”
I didn’t even look at her.
I looked down at my baby.
And cried.
Frederick said he’d be better to us
Said he’d protect the child, even if we weren’t together.
But now, seeing the bruises on my baby’s soft skin–marks from someone’s fingers-
I knew.
Frederick couldn’t even be a decent father.
