Chapter 3

I recognized her instantly: Seraphina Blake, the nude model from the painting.

Her hair was casually tied back, wearing the same white shirt, her collarbone subtly peeking out.

She leaned in, whispering something into Julian's ear.

The flush on her cheeks was visible even from where I stood.

Julian pulled her into his arms, looking as excited as a a stray dog.

Seraphina's collar slipped, revealing a familiar strip of lace.

Then, Julian swept her into his arms and carried her into the shop.

I felt the blood drain from my feet, slowly ebbing away.

I don't know how long I stood there, frozen.

When I came to, I was already inside the shop.

It was all Seraphina; he had filled the entire gallery with her.

In the oil paintings, she was clearly a woman deeply loved.

Compared to my formal, almost stiff portrait, mine looked pathetic and ridiculous.

I continued further in. It was a shop with living quarters in the back.

In the living room, their Polaroid photos were scattered everywhere, each with a handwritten caption.

"She called him after a car accident, a fractured bone, but a rare orchid was about to bloom, and if he missed it, he'd have to wait another year."

"On their wedding anniversary, he said he hated 'performing love,' and he came here to be with me instead."

Before I could even swallow my tears, clear, intimate sounds drifted from the bedroom.

So this was his "best arrangement"!

A CEO bound by duty and convention, but also an uninhibited, wild artist.

Weak-kneed, I leaned against the wall, the sounds hammering at my heart, escalating from pain to fury, then to bitter resentment.

I wanted to burst through that door, rip at her hair hysterically, and demand to know why?

But then what?

In a lull of their passion, I heard voices.

"Alexa Vance found your portrait."

"Oh? She'll hate me."

"I made up an excuse. She'll probably believe it.

"Even if she doesn't, she'll just look away. That's the nature of our...transaction."

"Giving her that painting was an impulse."

"But when she found it...I felt a thrill of revenge."

He was wrong. I had loved him. I had cared.

My sincerity had been a target for his betrayal.I would not look away.

Though, at this very moment, that sincerity had abruptly died.

Seraphina seemed to be sobbing.

"If it weren't for me, would you have been able to accept her? You wouldn't have been so miserable then."

"She's a good woman, but I needed an escape for my soul."

I gave a bitter laugh in my heart. What a pair of star-crossed lovers.

Julian, you greedy coward! You didn't dare defy your father, but you had the gall to take it out on me?

I left the alley and drove to his father's estate.

"Your son is cheating, and you forced him into it."

He stopped pruning a branch, his expression showing no surprise.

"Oh, I wouldn't call it 'cheating' exactly. This was his condition for marrying you and taking over the corporation.

"That woman hiding in that little shop won't affect you.

"Julian needs an outlet when he's under pressure, and she can take some of the burden off you.

"This is a critical period for the corporation's growth. Don't let him get distracted, don't bother him with these things.

"Remember, our two families rise and fall together.

"As the adopted daughter of the Vance family, your most important duty is to be grateful and repay that kindness.

"Just pretend these little romantic dramas don't exist.

"I won't tell Julian you were here today, either."

Just because I'm the adopted daughter of the Vance family, you think you can deceive and manipulate me like an idiot?!

I clenched my fists and nodded.

"I understand, Dad."