Chapter 3

Before I could even reach Chloe’s room, a dozen bodyguards surrounded me.

The moment they saw me, they went on high alert.

"Ma'am, Mr. Julian gave strict orders. You are not allowed near Miss Chloe."

Through the gap in the wall of men, I saw the door to Chloe's suite. There was a framed photo of Julian and Chloe, surrounded by a pink heart.

Underneath, in cute calligraphy, it read: "[Our Secret Haven]".

I forced a cold laugh. "How pathetic."

I had once begged Julian to take photos like that with me.

But he had always brushed me off, saying he was the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company and couldn't do something so childish.

It turned out he wasn't incapable of being childish. He just didn't want to do it with me.

I took a deep breath, ignoring the dull ache in my chest.

"Move out of my way."

"You all know how crazy I can get. Don't test me."

I reached into my bag and pulled out a small utility knife.

I only wanted to scare them.

But in the next second, one of the bodyguards lunged at me, slamming me to the ground.

The others pinned my arms behind my back. I couldn't move an inch.

"Apologies, Ma'am. Mr. Julian's orders. If you show any signs of instability, we must restrain you immediately."

Another guard pulled out his walkie-talkie.

"Sir, the wife is here. And she has a knife..."

Before he could finish, Julian’s panicked voice roared through the speaker.

"Then pin her down! Don't let her hurt Chloe! Do it now!"

My struggles stopped instantly.

"She's restrained, sir. Should we take her back to the villa or lock her up here?"

The radio went silent for a few seconds.

Finally, Julian let out a low, tired sigh.

"Fine. Bring her in."

The knife was swiped from my hand, but in the scuffle, the blade had sliced my wrist.

As they dragged me into the room, blood dripped onto the floor, drop by drop.

I bit my lip, forcing myself not to cry.

But the moment I stepped inside, I froze.

The sunset filtered through sheer curtains, casting a warm glow over a rocking chair on the balcony.

On the side table sat a cup of hot coffee and an open book.

In the corner, a vintage record player was spinning, playing Julian’s favorite jazz record.

This wasn't a hospital room. This was a home.

Specifically, it was the home I had designed.

Before our wedding, I had spent weeks drawing up blueprints based on our shared tastes.

But Julian had told me he didn't want me to stress. He hired a design firm instead and decorated our villa in a completely different style.

And now, my dream home was right in front of me.

Only it belonged to him and another woman.

"You're here," Julian’s voice came from behind.

I turned around, shock still written all over my face.

"Chloe loved this design," he said casually. "So I built it for her."

"You don't mind, do you?"

"Are you insane?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "What do you think?"

He nodded slowly.

"Then tear it down, Seraphina. If it makes you happy, destroy it."

His eyes flicked briefly to my bleeding wrist, but there was only disgust in his gaze.

"I’m used to your tantrums. Chloe is, too."

He looked out the window, speaking in a tone so calm it was chilling.

"Look, Seraphina. The rainbow is out. The weather is beautiful."

I followed his gaze. The rain had stopped, and a perfect rainbow spanned the sky.

But the storm inside my heart would never clear.

"Babe, come play "It Takes Two" with me..."

Chloe’s voice cut off the moment she saw me.

The controller slipped from her hands and clattered to the floor.

Suddenly, she grabbed her head and started screaming at the top of her lungs.

"No! Please don't take my clothes off! Don't kill my baby!"

"I'm a home-wrecker! I'm a bitch!"

"I'm sorry! Please... I won't do it again..."

Julian rushed over, throwing his arms around her.

His eyes were red with pain. "Shh, it's okay. Don't cry, baby."

"I'm here. No one will ever hurt you again."

As he said those words, he stared directly at me.

His eyes were filled with pure, unadulterated hatred.

Suddenly, I laughed.

I laughed so hard tears streamed down my face.

For a split second, I wanted to grab Chloe and drag her off the balcony with me.

But my remaining sanity told me she wasn't worth it.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms, killing the urge to destroy us both.

I sneered, "Cut the act, Chloe. It's getting pathetic."