Chapter 2

The next morning, when Serena walked out of the bedroom, she was surprised to see Carter still sitting at the kitchen island drinking coffee.

She glanced at the clock on the wall. Thursday, 10:30 AM.

Since Carter took over Sterling Group, he had never been late or left early. What was going on?

Carter heard her and looked up, smiling as he waved her over.

"Sotheby's has a private auction today. That vintage blue sapphire you wanted is one of the items. I'm taking you to bid on it."

Serena looked at him, her chest tight.

He remembered offhand things she said. He remembered all her preferences. And yet, that didn't stop him from cheating.

As they were leaving, Serena remembered something. "Where's Leo?"

Carter's expression soured. "I told the nanny and driver to handle school drop-offs from now on."

"If he can't appreciate everything you do for him, you don't need to exhaust yourself for him anymore."

He draped a cashmere coat over her shoulders. "Honey, I told you when I married you—I wanted you to be comfortable and carefree."

If she had heard those words before, Serena would have smiled and kissed him.

But now, she couldn't force a smile.

Carter, was I really carefree? Or were you just enjoying the thrill of cheating?

Serena headed for the private elevator. "Let's go."

......

Half an hour later, a low-key black sedan pulled up outside the auction house.

As soon as Serena stepped out, she heard a young woman's voice.

"Mr. Sterling, your VIP seats are ready. Let me show you in."

Serena turned to see Vivian standing there in her work attire, her face pale from the cold New York wind.

Then she heard Carter's annoyed voice. "It's freezing out here. Why weren't you waiting inside?"

Vivian smiled and shook her head. "I didn't want to miss greeting you."

In that instant, Serena noticed it. Carter's breath had quickened.

He was worried about her.

Serena lowered her gaze, hearing the sound of her own heart breaking.

Falling for someone always starts with caring about them. Carter was no exception.

She turned away. "You talk to your assistant. I'll go in first."

But Carter took her hand. "Vivian, you're not needed here. Go back to Wall Street."

Without another word, he led Serena inside.

After they found their seats, Serena was still scanning the crowd of socialites when she heard Carter chuckle softly beside her.

She turned and saw his profile as he smiled down at his phone, the Snapchat message on the screen clear as day.

"You liar. A few days ago, you held me in bed and said I was the most important. Today you left me out in the cold."

Seeing how completely absorbed Carter was, Serena felt dazed.

How could he so blatantly text his mistress right in front of her?

She slowly turned away, the brief dampness at the corner of her eyes disappearing.

When the auction began, Carter showed the ruthless decisiveness he was known for on Wall Street, bidding frequently.

In the end, he won the vintage blue sapphire and an emerald necklace of equal value.

After securing both items, Carter started typing on his phone again.

This time, Serena didn't bother to look. She could guess who he was messaging.

As they left the auction, Carter looked at her warmly. "Honey, I need to head back to the office."

Serena nodded. "Okay."

Watching Carter get into another car and drive off with urgency, the smile faded completely from Serena's face.

She pulled out her phone and opened Vivian's profile, looking at the story she had posted five minutes ago.

"It's so nice having a boyfriend who spoils you and has a black card with no limit!"

The photo showed the emerald necklace Carter had just bought.

Serena took a screenshot and opened her chat with Daniel, forwarding the image.

Her chat history with him was filled with screenshots—all evidence of her husband using marital assets to buy gifts for another woman.

Each one felt like a knife cutting through the memories she and Carter had built.

Serena stared at them, her eyes starting to sting.

Guess the perfect love stories in Hollywood movies were all lies.