Chapter 2Seven Years of Love: All a Lie

The next morning, as Serena was putting on her makeup, she reminded me.

"Tim, don't forget it's New Year's Eve."

"My parents have been planning this family dinner for weeks."

"We can't be late."

I sat on the sofa, silent.

As she was about to leave, she kissed my forehead. "I've got a few things to wrap up at the office. You can meet me there this afternoon, and we'll go to my parents' house together."

"Oh, and I have a surprise for you. Keep an eye out for it."

After she left, I started packing.

Around noon, her "surprise" arrived. A brand-new Patek Philippe watch and a lavish, custom-catered lunch from a five-star hotel.

"My man deserves to be spoiled by me."

It was a line she had used countless times over the past seven years.

Staring at the exquisite watch nestled in its box, a bitter acid churned in my stomach.

I looked up at the huge wedding portrait on the wall. In the photo, Serena was nestled in my arms, her face a mask of pure happiness. But deep in her eyes, there was always a shadow of sorrow she could never quite hide.

I used to think it was just the bittersweet sentimentality of becoming a wife.

Now I knew the truth. It was the sadness of not being able to marry the man she truly loved.

I took a deep breath, forcing my emotions down, and called a lawyer friend to draw up divorce papers.

I had booked a flight out of the country for that day, but I rescheduled it for the next. I had promised Serena I would join her for New Year's Eve dinner at her parents' house.

A man should always keep his word. My mother taught me that.

The thought of my mother felt like an invisible hand squeezing my heart, a dull, relentless ache. My father died in a car crash when I was too young to remember. My mother never abandoned me, raising me all on her own. No matter how hard life got, she never once considered remarrying. She had promised to love my father, and only him, for the rest of her life.

In the afternoon, I arrived at the Sterling Corporation building. As soon as I walked through the doors, the familiar whispers started.

"Look, Tim's here to see Ms. Sterling."

"They're so in love."

"Of course they are. A magazine once named them one of Seacrest City's top ten most enviable couples."

"They were childhood friends, you know. That's why their marriage is still so strong after seven years."

"Now that she's pregnant, he's probably even more protective. He'll be visiting all the time."

"They're such a good-looking couple. Their baby is going to be gorgeous."

"A family of three. That's true happiness."

"Man, some guys have all the luck. Why couldn't I be Tim?"

"Check out his watch. That's the new Patek. It must be worth over a hundred grand."

"Definitely a gift from Ms. Sterling. I heard she buys him a new one every year."

"Tim must have saved the galaxy in a past life to marry a woman like her."

"Well, Tim's family was well-off too. His mother was a powerhouse businesswoman in this city before she passed."

"Such a shame she died so young. They say the shock of what happened literally killed her. If she were still alive, the Sterling Corporation wouldn't be the top dog in this city."

…

I stopped outside the CEO's office. I could hear Serena's voice, sharp with irritation.

"I distinctly ordered two watches. One standard edition, and one limited edition."

"The standard one arrived, but now you're telling me the limited edition is delayed?"

"Is this how you do business?"

"I don't want excuses. If that watch isn't here within the hour, you can expect a formal complaint!"

So, she had bought two watches.

I waited a few minutes before pushing the door open.

The moment she saw me, the harsh lines on her face melted into a radiant smile.

"Tim, you're here!"

"Just give me a minute, I have a few more documents to sign."

I told her there was no rush and sat on the sofa, scrolling through social media, waiting.

Serena was stunning when she was focused on her work. For a fleeting moment, she reminded me of my mother. They were both titans of the business world, after all.

Less than half an hour later, a notification popped up on my phone.

It was a new post from Julian.

Four photos, all close-ups of him wearing a watch. A very expensive, very exclusive watch.

The caption read: "The best birthday gift I've ever received."

"They say the new year is better than the old. I say having you is better than everything!"