Chapter 3
Preston clearly didn’t believe her. His tone was dripping with sarcasm.
“Selene, drop the act. I knew you weren’t that considerate. Just take your medicine.”
Selene, burning with fever, was slow to react. Before she could process his words, he’d already hung up.
When she called back, his phone was off.
Cursing Preston under her breath, she had no choice but to drive herself
over.
The extravagant birthday party felt surreal as if she were watching it all
from a distance.
Preston cast her a sidelong glance, scoffing coldly, “Still pretending, huh? Yet here you are. You’ve always been a drama queen.”
Selene looked up at his words, nodding absently, her eyes struggling to focus.
Preston paused, annoyed. “Alright, enough with the act. You’re the birthday girl today–I’ll give you a break.”
Selene gave a sharp, mocking laugh. “Well, thank you. Where’s my gift?”
Preston shrugged, clapped his hands, and called for someone to bring out the present–only to see that the diamond–studded gown was already being worn by Mira.
Selene’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Preston.
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Mira, unfazed, twirled in the dress. “Mr. Hawley, this dress goes perfectly with my makeup today. Was this my birthday gift from you, given in advance?”
Preston didn’t answer, just shot Selene a provocative look.
He wanted nothing more than to see her upset.
And Selene was just as stubborn.
Without hesitation, she strode forward and slapped Mira across the face.
The sound rang out, sharp as the shattering of Preston’s pride.
Furious, Preston rushed to shield Mira, his hand raised high.
Selene remained unfazed, her voice light and cool. “My second condition -have her take off the dress and apologize to me.”
Everyone knew how indulgent Preston was with Mira.
If Mira wanted something, Preston would move heaven and earth to get it for her.
But this time, Mira had finally hit a wall.
Clutching the dress, she broke down in tears, her eyes red and brimming with unshed sorrow.
Preston’s heart nearly broke. He glared at Selene, teeth clenched. “Mira likes this dress. I’ll get you another birthday present.”
He gently wiped away Mira’s tears, his touch almost tender.
Selene watched the scene in silence.
In all their 25 years, Preston had never shown such softness in front of
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her.
Stubbornness flared in Selene. She pressed, “Preston, maybe you’re not so determined to get divorced after all. If you can’t go through with it, what happens to your little girlfriend here–will she stay as the mistress forever?”
Preston’s eyes darkened, shooting her a look that could cut glass.
If looks could kill, Selene would have been left in ruins.
A twisted satisfaction bloomed in her chest. She wanted nothing more than to see Preston miserable.
Preston took a deep breath, voice rough as he tried to comfort Mira.
“Babe, it’s just a dress. When your birthday comes, I’ll design one myself for you. Do you love pink diamonds? I’ll have it covered in them, just for
you.
Selene used to think those promises were just empty words.
But today, she saw the truth–Preston’s affection for Mira ran deep enough that she would defy him in public without fear of consequence.
“But I want this one,” Mira sobbed, her breath hitching.
Preston’s eyes were wet with unshed tears as he glared at Selene, and then, resolutely, led Mira to the dressing room. When they returned, the dress was in his hands.
The moment Selene took the gown, she pulled a lighter from her pocket and, before everyone’s eyes, set it ablaze.
Preston stared at her in stunned fury, momentarily speechless.
Mira, still in his arms, watched in disbelief.
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Chapter 3
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As the dress was reduced to ashes, Selene exhaled, feeling lighter than she had in years. She flashed Preston a brazen smile. “I had a wonderful birthday, Mr. Hawley. Thank you.”
With that, she turned and strode out, head held high.
The following days were filled with treatments for Selene. No matter how expensive the medication, it could only dull the pain, not prolong her life.
The nurse watched her with pity as Selene gasped through the agony, but there was nothing anyone could do.
When she was finally discharged, Selene ran into Mira.
Mira’s face was pale, clearly from crying, and Preston was by her side, trying to comfort her.
“Babe, you helped me get better. This job will be easy for you,” he murmured.
It turned out Mira was about to start her internship at the hospital.
Selene’s curiosity was piqued by Preston’s mention of his recovery.
After all, it was she who had stayed by his side for six months and helped him through his depression.
She walked over and joined the conversation. “Preston, was it Ms. Solen who cured your depression?”
Preston shot her an irritated glance. “What, you think it was you? You’re such a tomboy–if you’d been around, I would’ve jumped off the roof.”
Selene didn’t react, her gaze shifting to Mira. “Ms. Solen must be very skilled. Would you mind telling me about the treatment process?”
A flicker of guilt flashed in Mira’s eyes.
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Feigning nonchalance, she changed the subject. “Oh, Ms. Sutton, I know you want Mr. Hawley’s attention, but it really was me by his side for those six months. He says my voice soothed his wounded heart–now he can’t sleep without me telling him a story every night.”
Selene froze for a moment.
Preston hadn’t recognized her because, after his accident, he’d been temporarily blind.
He’d always said her voice was grating, so she’d used a voice changer, quietly staying with him for six months.
In the past, she would have fought for the truth, refusing to back down.
But now, she’d rather let Preston remain in the dark than be mocked by him again.
Preston saw her dazed expression and sneered, “What are you plotting now, Selene? Stalking me? Orchestrating a run–in? That’s kid stuff. Give it a rest.”
He eyed her up and down, a mocking glint in his eyes.
Selene didn’t take the bait, answering honestly.
“What, I’m not allowed to get sick?”
Preston let out a dismissive chuckle. “You? Even a terminal illness couldn’t kill you.”
Selene pursed her lips and shrugged. “Guess I’ll just go to hell, then.”
Preston frowned slightly but said nothing more.
All he felt was that Selene was getting more cunning by the day.
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Chapter 3
Not long after, Selene called him again.
“My third condition–come with me to the old house.‘
Preston didn’t get it, but he agreed.
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“Selene, wear extra makeup tomorrow–even foundation can’t hide how haggard you look.”
Selene glanced at her reflection; her jaundice seemed to be getting worse.
She no longer had the strength to argue with Preston and quickly hung
- up.
Preston was left staring at his phone, stunned by the abrupt end to their call. He stood there for a long time until Mira called him back to reality.
The next morning, Preston saw Selene fully made up, looking flawless.
Before he could say anything, Mira slid out of the passenger seat.
“Ms. Sutton, thank you for suggesting this. Mr. Hawley wanted to revisit the old place anyway.”
Selene gave her a passing glance, saying nothing, her eyes fixed on the rose bush by the door.
She expertly pruned the bush and loosened the soil around its roots.
Preston watched with surprise and suspicion but kept his doubts to himself.
When she finished, Selene dusted off her hands and said, “Alright, let’s go inside.”
The old house was where Preston had spent six months recovering from depression.
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Chapter 3
He looked around calmly, gripping Mira’s hand tightly.
But when he saw Selene, a faint sadness seeped into his heart.
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He chalked it up to losing his old sparring partner–after all, they’d been at odds for 25 years.
Because they’d arrived late, dinner ended just as dusk settled.
Preston didn’t share a room with Mira.
After telling Preston a bedtime story, Mira turned off the lights and left
the room.
Preston watched her go, wanting to say something but holding back.
In the darkness, he stared at the ceiling, memories of the fire swirling in his mind—he could almost hear his parents‘ desperate cries for help.
Clutching his head in pain, he was startled when the bedside lamp switched on and Selene gently pinched his ear.
In an instant, all his fear and unease melted away. He looked up in shock, confusion swirling inside him as he grabbed Selene’s hand. “Why do you comfort me like this? This is how Mira always used to calm me.”
Selene said nothing, simply meeting his dark gaze.
For countless nights, she had looked at him just like this.
Those painful, unspoken nights had become a secret she could never reveal.
She was about to speak when Mira burst in, clutching her stomach and panting. “Sorry, I wasn’t feeling well. I knew you’d be scared, so I asked Ms. Sutton to check on you. Squeezing your ear is how I comfort you- Ms. Sutton only knows because I told her.”
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Preston’s eyes dimmed but then lit up again with mockery.
He must be losing his mind, he thought, to imagine Selene could be that
person.
He knew it was Mira.
Rubbing his temples, he sighed. “Feeling better now, Mira?”
Mira nodded sweetly. “Much better. I’ll head back now.”
Once the room was quiet again, Preston stared at the faint glow of the bedside lamp until he drifted off.
In the early hours, flames engulfed the old house.
Selene jolted awake, thick smoke stinging her eyes.
Heart pounding, she ran straight for Preston’s room.
