Chapter 3The Contract Husband’s Secret Obsession

At the press conference, Dominic Hayes held Seraphina Thorne tightly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, regarding the baseless rumors circulating online, I want to clarify something here. Yes, someone acted improperly. And yes, someone took inappropriate photos. But that person wasn't Seraphina. It was her half-sister, Amelia Vance."

Seraphina's eyes welled up, looking on the verge of tears, her face a picture of wronged innocence.

"Amy felt I took away our father's love, but I never imagined she would try to ruin me this way. Still, no matter what, she's my sister, and I don't blame her..."

He held Seraphina close, walking away without a backward glance, leaving me alone on the stage. All the cameras and microphones instantly swiveled to face me.

"Miss Vance, are you jealous of your sister? Is that why you're trying to frame her?"

"What is your purpose behind such a despicable act?"

"Please answer! Why aren't you speaking?"

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

In despair, I climbed the steps, urgently signing with my hands.

"I am Dominic Hayes' legal wife. We've been married for eight years. Since his true love is her, I will step aside and let them be together. Dominic Hayes, let's get a divorce!"

A reporter in the crowd who understood sign language gasped, quickly translating to those around her.

"Eight years? Dominic has been married for eight years?"

"Then Seraphina is officially the mistress?"

"Oh my God! They were just twisting the truth and trying to pin all the blame on the original wife!"

The tide of public opinion instantly turned.

My phone vibrated non-stop, Dominic Hayes' calls flashing across the screen.

In eight years of marriage, he hadn't called me this many times in half an hour combined.

He was panicking.

As soon as I got home, Dominic, absolutely furious, violently slammed me against the wall in the entryway.

"Amelia, you've gotten bold, haven't you? Who gave you permission to spout nonsense out there?"

My back throbbed with pain, but I stubbornly looked up, signing my retort.

"Whether I'm your wife or not is for the law to decide."

Dominic laughed, a cruel, mirthless sound, as if I'd told the greatest joke.

"Have I ever touched you? This 'wife' title is nothing more than your mother's dying wish, guilt-tripping me into marriage!"

He took a deep breath, trying to control his anger.

"Yes, I married you! But Sera saved my life. Without her, I'd be dead! I owe her my life, so it's only right that I treat her well!"

My heart felt as if it had been pierced by a thousand needles, a dense, throbbing ache.

"I'm sorry for wasting so many years of your life. Dominic, let's get a divorce!"

Dominic roughly pulled me closer, his fingers digging into my chin.

"Why now, Amelia? If you want a divorce, fine, but don't expect a single penny from me!"

"I'll walk away with absolutely nothing!"

He was no longer the man I remembered, and he had long forgotten our unspoken promise.

I expected him to agree immediately, but to my surprise, he fell silent.

"Amelia, marriage isn't a game. Let's talk once you've calmed down."

Watching his retreating back, I couldn't help but laugh, but as I laughed, tears streamed down my face.

He said marriage wasn't a game, yet on our wedding night, he handed me a divorce agreement. "My heart already belongs to someone else. I won't touch you. After eight years, you'll know when to leave gracefully."

I thought true love could conquer all, but after eight years of struggling, I was exhausted.

With only five days left until the agreement took effect, I began to pack my bags.

Going downstairs to take out the trash, I ran into Dominic and Seraphina, deep in an intimate moment.

"Dominic, your birthday is coming up. What kind of gift do you want?"

Dominic chuckled softly, leaning in to kiss Seraphina's forehead.

"I want to hear you sing. Could you record 'Every Tomorrow' for me? You sang it before, and I loved it." Seraphina was tone-deaf; she couldn't sing at all. "Dominic, my throat has been a little scratchy lately. How about I record it in a few days?"

"Every Tomorrow" – that was my favorite song.