Chapter 4

“Sir!”

My former subordinates were already lined up in front of the mansion.

The first time I proposed to Serena back then, she didn't say yes. She just frowned and said,

“Your… status… isn’t exactly impressive.”

I just smiled, indulging her, and without a word, I stepped back from the Thorne Group, got myself a “normal” job.

Everyone called me a lovesick fool, but I just soaked it up, happy as could be.

Who cared about being the heir to the Thorne Group? My Serena just wanted a simple, honest life with me. That was pure love, right?

Now, it’s clear I was a complete and utter idiot.

I practically fell onto the couch, the wound in my lower abdomen throbbing again.

“Ace, I need you to do something for me.”

“Find all records of Serena undergoing IVF treatments for the past three years. Five minutes.”

Ace nodded, then exited to carry out the order.

I poured myself a shot of whiskey and downed it in one gulp.

“Sir, I found it.”

He hesitated for a moment, then continued.

“No hospital has any record of Serena ever undergoing IVF treatments. Only routine prenatal check-ups.”

My mind went utterly blank.

The whiskey glass in my hand crashed to the floor.

No records?

So, all those times over the past three years, she showed me lab results, acting all happy or heartbroken—it was all a goddamn act?

Those needle marks on her stomach, those so-called ovulation-inducing meds—all faked?

I was shaking with rage.

Then I remembered her allergy excuse.

If she didn’t do IVF, then how did she get pregnant?

The answer was chillingly clear.

The baby was conceived the old-fashioned way, with Derek.

“I want you to find every single hotel record for Serena and Derek for the past three years! All of them!”

I kicked over the coffee table.

“There were many instances, all in hotels owned by us. Also, I unexpectedly found this.”

Ace’s voice grew quieter as he handed me the documents.

My hands trembled as I took them, growing more horrified with each page.

Every single date they went to a hotel was a day Serena told me she was going for a hospital check-up.

Serena was using my money to have wild sex with other men, then coming home to tell me the doctors said she still needed “treatment.”

And I, the clueless idiot, was pitying her “suffering,” cooking her all sorts of elaborate tonics.

The last page of the file had Derek’s medical report.

He has AIDS!

My stomach lurched, a sickening wave of nausea washing over me. I grabbed the trash can and dry-heaved.

“Sir, Derek’s private life is extremely messy. He’s been with dozens of women over the years. Your wife…”

Ace patted my back, unable to stop himself.

“Don’t you dare call her my wife! She doesn’t deserve that title!”

I cut him off, my eyes bloodshot.

“Go. Compile all the evidence. They dared to play me for a fool. I’ll make them pay dearly for it!”

Watching Ace leave, I slowly calmed down.

Suddenly, I felt almost grateful Serena wouldn't let me touch her all these years, thanks to that... *thing*. It unknowingly saved me.

The thought of those two disgusting people still in my house made my stomach churn.

I immediately had my assistant contact my lawyer to draft divorce papers, then slammed the gas pedal and sped home.