2 

The next morning, Sera was jolted awake by a furious shouting. Peeking through her bedroom door, she saw a tired woman clutching at the man’s collar in the neighboring garden. 

“John! I loved you for ten years and bore you three children! You swore you’d love me forever when we married! And now… you’re keeping a mistress?!” 

A crowd was quickly gathering, drawn by the yelling. The man was somebody in their exclusive community and his face contorted with annoyance. He grabbed the woman’s arm and dragged Her inside. 

“Stop this! I’ve told you a million times, no man is faithful!” 

Sera was lost in thought. A warm hand gently covered her ears. 

“Sera, that’s nonsense,” Julian murmured. 

She didn’t turn around.“Do you agree that all men cheat?” 

Julian stiffened. He turned her to face him, his eyes affectionate.“I don’t know about other men, but I won’t. Sera, I only love you, forever.” 

“You only love me? But forever is a long time.” 

He pulled her into a hug, his breath warm against her ear.“Forever’s a long time, but I only want you.” 

A bitter laugh escaped her lips.“What if you do betray me?” 

“If I betray you, may I be struck by lightning and suffer a terrible fate.” The words felt like a cruel joke given her recent discovery. 

“Julian, that’s a pretty harsh curse. Don’t you think it might actually come true?” 

He chuckled in a low voice.“It won’t. No one knows how much I love you more than I do. If you don’t believe me, I’ll rip my heart out for you. If that’s not enough, I’ll give you my life.” 

His life? Really? 

Then why couldn’t he keep his pants zipped? The lingering scent of another woman was still on him, even as he spoke such beautiful lies. 

“Sera, Julian, what are you guys doing?” 

Chloe’s voice cut through the tense silence. 

They both turned. Chloe was leaning against the doorway, clad in a crimson strapless dress. 

Sera saw Julian stiffen. He frowned. “It’s not the weekend, Chloe. Where are you going all dressed up?” His tone wasn’t that of a brother to a sister, but rather of a husband questioning his wife,. There was a bit of jealousy in it. 

Chloe giggled.“There’s a company mixer tonight, and I’m looking for a boyfriend. I won’t be back tonight.” 

Julian’s face darkened. Chloe’s smile widened.“Oh, Sera, what’s your plan for today?” Julian recovered, taking Sera’s hand.“My wife and I are going to visit my parents.” Chloe gave a quick wave, saying, “Say hi to them 

them for me!” Then she 

she left. 

20:26 

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< 2 

Thirty minutes later, Julian and Sera were on their way to the Stone residence. 

Julian’s parents didn’t like Sera. They felt she’d turned their son into a lovesick fool, nearly costing him his life. And the fact that they still had no children only made them more upset. Therefore, Julian seldom took Sera to visit them, but word had arrived that his mother was unwell. 

The moment they arrived, the jovial atmosphere evaporated. His parents‘ faces turned icy. 

Julian saw the veiled hostility towards Sera and exploded.“If you keep treating her like this, we are leaving, and we’re not coming back again.” 

His father slammed his fist on the table, furious.“What are you saying?! You’re abandoning your 

arents for a woman?!” 

Julian held Sera’s hand tightly, refusing to back down.“I’ve told you, Sera is the love of life. I wish I could give her all I have. How could you give her that attitude? Are you trying to break my heart? If this happens again, I will act as if I have no family.”