Chapter 3

The next day, Derek took me from the rehabilitation center to finalize the divorce.

Stepping out of the registry office, he got straight into his car.

"I need to go get Seraphina's performance outfit custom-made. You can go back on your own."

His face was grim.

"Anya, if you're not at the rehabilitation center within forty minutes, you'll face the consequences."

The car sped away, leaving me to flag down a taxi back to the mansion.

As soon as I entered the front door, I heard a baby crying from the storage room in the backyard.

That was where the gardening tools were kept!

I rushed in and saw Leo carelessly placed on a cold stone slab.

There was formula and diapers ready nearby, yet his little face was purple, and his cries were weak.

He probably hadn't eaten since yesterday! Nor had his diaper been changed!

No time to confront Mrs. Gable, I picked up Leo, fed him, and changed his clothes.

As I burped him, Leo gave me a blurry smile. My eyes welled up, and tears fell onto his tiny clothes.

Seraphina's child was cherished by everyone, while mine was forgotten, even struggling for basic needs.

"Don't be scared, Leo. Mommy will take you away."

Suddenly, there was a pounding on the door outside. As I opened it, Derek's slap landed on my face.

"Anya! How dare you bring shady people into my home!"

I shielded Leo as Derek pushed me into the living room.

Seraphina, wrapped in a shawl, followed him, surrounded by caregivers.

The scene inside shocked me.

Several unfamiliar men lay sprawled on the carpet, reeking of alcohol.

The house was a mess, like it had just hosted a wild party.

People were asleep in the bedrooms and study, and even three people lay in the master bed, their clothes disheveled.

I frantically shook my head. "It wasn't me!"

But Mrs. Gable stepped forward, looking heartbroken.

"Mr. Caldwell, a group of people broke in last night. They said Ms. Williams gave them the keycard and invited them to party. They complained the baby's crying was too loud, so they moved him to the storage room..."

I trembled, quickly trying to explain.

"I don't know them! I was at the rehab center all day yesterday. How could I have given anyone a keycard?"

"That's right... Anya was with me yesterday, Derek. Why don't you ask these people?"

Seraphina lightly tugged Derek's sleeve.

His stern expression softened slightly. He ordered someone to wake the nearest man.

"Who let you in?!"

The man, still drunk, slurred, "Some woman named Anya gave us a keycard, said the house was empty and invited us to party... Get another bottle!"

In his swinging hand was my keycard. Still attached was the small, hand-stitched leather keychain I'd made myself!

I instinctively touched my pocket. it was empty.

"No, I lost my keycard. It wasn't me!"

"Still trying to lie?! If Seraphina hadn't worried about you and insisted on coming back to stay, I wouldn't have known you harbored such disgusting intentions!"

"You clearly wanted to fool around with these people here!"

Derek grew increasingly impatient, ordering Mrs. Gable to lock me in the storage room.

Behind me, I heard Seraphina's soft voice trying to mediate.

"Derek, Anya was just being playful, don't get so angry."

"She won't learn her lesson without punishment! This house is defiled; we're going to the downtown apartment!"

The storage room door was locked. Through the window, I watched them drive away.

Seraphina turned back in the crowd and shot me a triumphant smile.

Late that night, after I'd finally managed to lull Leo to sleep, the lights abruptly cut out.

Assuming the wiring in the storage room was old, I checked train tickets on my phone.

A sharp click cut the silence. The lock turned.

The door opened, and Seraphina stood there, etched in the cold moonlight.

With no one else around, her eyes blazed with pure malice.

"You're divorced and still dare to ask for money? Anya, you have no shame!"

I shoved Leo behind me, retreating until my back hit the wall. Trapped. Seraphina looked ready to end me.

"Seraphina, I never did anything to you! Why set me up like this?"

"Nothing? If it weren't for you, I would be the one married to Derek!"