Chapter 2

Serena had a thing about cleanliness—she showered every single day.

The staff had already drawn her a hot bath. Nicholas set her down on the vanity counter, and their eyes met.

She looked exceptionally fragile tonight. A feverish flush colored her pale cheeks.

Her eyes were misty, glistening with unshed tears. Her lips were slightly parted. There was something about her—vulnerable yet alluring—that made it impossible to look away.

Desire surged through him. Nicholas's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, his voice rough.

"You've got a head wound. You can't manage on your own. I'll help you tonight."

Before Serena could react, Nicholas had already begun undressing her.

Warm water cascaded over her skin. His movements were gentle, deliberate—as if he were handling something precious and irreplaceable.

Serena's cheeks burned hotter. She recognized that look in his eyes—dangerous, familiar. She tried to pull away, tried to speak, but his lips suddenly claimed hers.

"Mmm..."

Nicholas kissed her like a starving wolf—urgent, demanding. His rough palm cupped the back of her neck. Serena's body went limp, his warm breath ghosting over her earlobe. She instinctively tried to curl her legs up, but his large hand pinned them in place.

"Don't move."

The kiss spiraled beyond control. Nicholas knew exactly how to kiss her, and Serena had no defenses left.

He knew every sensitive spot on her body, effortlessly drawing out her desire.

She arched her neck helplessly, her limbs weak, clinging to him in a daze.

Just as things reached a critical point, Nicholas suddenly stopped.

Serena hadn't recovered yet, her gaze still unfocused.

"We're out of condoms." Nicholas's passion evaporated. He pressed a light kiss to the corner of her mouth, his voice still tinged with warmth.

"Be careful when you finish up."

Then he simply stood and left the bathroom.

Serena was still dizzy from the kiss, her face burning. It took her a long time to come back to herself.

Three years of marriage, and they'd used protection every single time.

She had to admire Nicholas's self-control. No matter what, he could always restrain himself. Not once had he let himself go.

Halfway through her bath, Serena felt a sudden sharp pain in her lower abdomen.

She got up and went to the toilet, only to discover her period had started.

She'd been so focused on figuring out ways to improve Nicholas's health that she'd lost track of time.

Serena's constitution was delicate—her periods were always rough. After a quick rinse, she stepped out.

She didn't head straight back to the bedroom. On the dark balcony, a pinpoint of orange light glowed conspicuously.

Nicholas was on the phone.

Something compelled Serena to move closer. His low voice drifted toward her.

"Yeah, sweetheart, don't overthink it."

"Nicholas, give me a baby."

Clara's voice carried through the receiver.

Serena froze.

All the warmth from earlier vanished in an instant.

A baby? Nicholas wanted to have a child with Clara?

Serena couldn't hear what Nicholas was saying anymore. All she could register was the tenderness in his tone—a gentleness she'd never heard directed at her. A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

Of course. That's why Nicholas was always so careful. He was afraid she'd get pregnant.

She couldn't bear to listen anymore. In a daze, she retreated to the bedroom.

Her marriage to Nicholas had never been built on mutual love. They'd first met when she was eighteen—she was his underclassman. Teenage Serena hadn't been beautiful. She'd been bullied for being overweight, and Nicholas had stood up for her, putting those cruel kids in their place. She still remembered what he'd said to her.

"You have beautiful eyes."

From that moment on, Serena fell for Nicholas. She saw him as her knight in shining armor. A teenage girl's heart was like endless rain—Serena worked hard to lose weight, and when they met again, she'd happened to save Nicholas's drowning grandmother, Wendy Hayes. She and Wendy became close despite the age gap.

Because of Wendy, Serena and Nicholas stayed in touch more frequently. But every time Serena looked at him, she knew he didn't recognize her.

Later, Serena's identity as a fake heiress was suddenly exposed. The real Windsor daughter was brought home, and Serena dominated the tabloids for three solid months. Her position became awkward. Everyone clamored to cast her out of the Windsor family.

It was an unbearably dark time. Serena had no one—until Nicholas found her.

He said to her: "Marry me."

Serena was stunned. She'd dreamed countless times of marrying Nicholas. Then his next words shattered her fantasy.

"Don't worry, it's just a fake marriage. My grandmother's sick. She's very fond of you. You take care of her, I'll protect your standing in the Windsor family. When she recovers, we'll divorce. I'll set you free."

Serena still remembered the feeling—euphoria crashing into devastation in seconds.

Her heart plummeted. So it was fake.

But she agreed anyway. She knew she couldn't refuse Nicholas anything.

After the wedding, they'd maintained a perfectly respectable facade. Serena fulfilled every duty of a wife. Nicholas kept his promises.

Only Wendy's health continued to decline. And tonight, Serena finally woke up.

She'd gotten too deep into the role. She'd mistaken it all for real.

At the thought, bitterness welled up in her chest.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

A familiar cologne enveloped her. Nicholas suddenly drew close, his palm moving to her lower abdomen, massaging slowly.

Through the thin fabric of her nightgown, warmth seeped in. Serena's cramps eased surprisingly.

Then his cold voice cut through the air. "Serena, let's get a divorce."

Serena froze instantly. All the warmth she'd felt evaporated.

She'd prepared herself mentally, but hearing it out loud—she still couldn't stay calm.

Serena took a deep breath, forcing her voice to remain steady.

"When?"

"Soon. Once Grandma recovers."

Nicholas's voice was devoid of emotion, as if he were miles away.

Serena nodded silently.

"Okay."

"That's it?"

Nicholas suddenly pressed. He stared at her pale, delicate back, tightening his embrace. "Don't you have anything else you want to say to me?"

"No."

Serena didn't hesitate.

How could she possibly explain everything between them in a single sentence?

"Got it. Don't worry—I won't abandon you with the Windsors."

Nicholas let out a bitter laugh. After three years of marriage, Serena was taking the end so calmly.

Then again, they'd never truly been married. It was just a transaction.

If not for this arrangement, Serena never would have married him.

At the thought, an inexplicable sense of loss washed over Nicholas. He closed his eyes and cursed under his breath.

Ungrateful little thing. Was she really that eager to leave him?

"Nicholas."

In the darkness, Serena suddenly spoke.

"Yeah?"

Nicholas's voice carried a hint of hope. The hand that had been massaging her abdomen stilled.

"Do you... remember a really overweight girl from school who used to be around you?"

Serena could hear her own heartbeat.

"No, I don't."

The moment Nicholas answered, all strength drained from Serena's body.

Of course. She'd known all along. Why did she even ask?

She gently moved Nicholas's hand away, closed her eyes, and a single tear slid down her cheek.

It was time to end this.