For the next two days. Frederick didn’t set foot in the main house.
One of the housemaids told me he’d been out and about with Lavinia nonstop.
They went to the Met Gala in New York, a yacht party in the Hamptons, horse races at the
Everything Frederick used to do with me he was now doing with her, []
As if replaying the memories could erase the three years we spent together.
Trederick and I grew up together. Childhood sweethearts.
e country club, and released lanterns by the Hudson.
When we were eight, he broke his leg climbing the backyard fence j
just to see me. He was b
was bedridden for six months.
At sixteen, he gave up his dream of becoming a writer and enlisted in the Army–hecause I once said I admired heroic generals in books. [
At eighteen, my father was framed and stripped of everything.
Frederick rushed home from the front lines. Despite everyone’s objections, he married me. 0
He said:
“Serena, l’il protect you–no matter what.”
He said:
“When I’ve earned enough medals. I’ll talk to the President and clear the Hollingsworth name.” []
That moment, he became my everything.
Now, he belonged to someone else.
Maybe he realized he’d been ignoring me lately. That evening, Frederick finally came to see me.
I was sitting on the couch, stitching baby clothes for the child in my belly.
When I
I looked up, there he was–radiating pride and joy.
Of course he was. His new bride was moving in soon.
Π
I stayed silent. Frederick didn’t seem to mind.
He pulled a velvet box from his coat and handed it to me.
“Serena, this is for the baby. A gift from me. You like it?”
I was surprised–didn’t think he still remembered the child. []
Inside was an old heirloom pin, still warm from his pocket.
A flicker of warmth passed through my chest.
“Thanks, General Glad you remembered. I’m sure our bally will love it.”
Iwwered my head and rubbed my belly. Even the haby seemed to sense the moment and gave a gentle kick. []
Frederick chucked, then hesitated
“Serena… I need to talk to you about something[]
“Lavinm’s moving in soon, and we need to clear out this part of the houseD
“Dan’t worry I have the staff take care of everything. You won’t have to lift a finger:“[]
The brooch slipped from my hands and hit the floor with a cold thud.
All the warmth vanished in an instant.]
I clutched the cloth on my lap. The needle pricked my palm, drawing blood.
“So that’s why you came here tonight?” [
I thought maybe you actually missed me.
The room went quiet, Frederick turned his fa
face away, then muttered.
“Serena… after all, you’re not the wife anymore.”
“Oh right,” I said flatly. “I forgot. I’m just the mistress now.”
In just a few days, my husband would be in this very room.
With another woman on our wedding bed.
I should’ve known my place.
I tried to smile, but couldn’t. My eyes turned red instead.
“Fine. I understand.”
Frederick got what he wanted and had the nerve to leave without another word.
Just before stepping outside, he glanced back at the closed window behind me- O
I didn’t care what he was thinking.I
I didn’t pick up the brooch.
I just kept stitching, eyes blurry with tears.
Four days left.
