Chapter 1
“Dad, there’s one week left in our three-year agreement.”
“Ill have Caspian sign the divorce papers. In one week, I’ll be gone for good.”
When she got married three years ago, she knew this day would come, she just never imagined it would be so soon.
After all, he had never loved her, he loved her sister, Thalia Anderson.
Mr. Anderson glanced at the divorce papers, a satisfied, contemptuous smirk playing on his lips.
“Caspian was always meant for Thalia. We only let you marry him for three years to keep his seat warm while she was studying abroad.”
“Now that Thalia’s back, it’s only right that you step aside.”
Hearing Mr. Anderson’s heartless words, Seraphina Anderson scoffed internally.
Blood is thicker than water, alright. Just because Thalia was their biological daughter, they used her-their adopted one-in every way possible, squeezing out every last drop of her value.
A month ago, Caspian Kingsley’s biggest rival kidnapped both Seraphina and Thalia.
At thirty thousand feet, with only one parachute, Caspian chose to give it to Thalia.
He let them throw her from that altitude into the ocean. At the most critical moment, it was Spencer Hayes, the richest man in the country, who saved her.
From that moment on, she had a rude awakening.
A man who didn’t even care if you lived or died was a man you should cut all ties with, completely.
Seeing Seraphina’s silence, Mr. Anderson’s brow furrowed. “Seraphina, we’ve been father and daughter for a while. As compensation, when you leave, I’ll give
you a small condo in the suburbs and ten thousand dollars in cash.”
Mr. Anderson said it as if he were bestowing some great charity, as if his offer was an incredible reward.
Seraphina said coolly, “Don’t bother. I won’t be taking a single thing from the Anderson family.”
‘Seraphina, I know you have your pride, but you’re just an adopted daughter. What I’m offering is more than generous. You shouldn’t be so greedy.”
Mr. Anderson narrowed his eyes, which held none of a father’s love, only endless calculation.
Dad, don’t you worry. The day I leave Caspian will also be the day I cut all ties with the Anderson family.”
she was only the Andersons’ adopted daughter.
Years ago, after Thalia went missing, Mrs. Anderson fell into a deep depression. To give her a reason to live, the Andersons adopted Seraphina.
At first, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were incredibly kind to her, pouring all the guilt they felt over their lost daughter into her care.
n the second year of her adoption, Thalia was found.
But to protect their reputation, they didn’t send Seraphina away.
The first few years after were tolerable, but starting in the third year, Thalia began to bully her at every turn, even framing her for theft.
She lived in the most luxurious mansion but was treated like the lowest servant.
She wasn’t so much the Andersons’ adopted daughter as she was their unpaid maid.
Seeing Seraphina’s defiance, Mr. Anderson snapped, “Hmph, let’s see how you survive without the Anderson family!”
At his words, Seraphina let out a contemptuous laugh.
Her biological parents had found her six months ago. They were the most powerful family in New York, and she was their sole heir.
At the time, she had refused to rejoin her family, all because of Caspian.
It wasn’t until two weeks ago that she contacted her birth parents, telling them she was ready to come home and accept her inheritance,
The Andersons’ pathetic fortune was nothing in comparison.
Seraphina stood up. As she reached the door, she left him with one last sentence: “Don’t you worry, Dad. I guarantee Ill have a better life than you.”
With that, Seraphina turned to head downstairs.
But the door to the next bedroom was ajar, and from inside drifted the sounds of a woman’s suppressed moans and a man’s guttural grunts.
Even though she’d known the truth for a long time, seeing her husband in bed with her sister still sent a sharp, stabbing pain through her chest.
‘Caspian, who makes you happier, me or my sister?” A woman’s coquettish voice purred.
The man’s voice was slightly breathless but firm. “You, of course. This kind of thing only feels right with the person you truly love.”
You know I’ve only ever loved you. She was just your substitute.”
Every word from the man was like a sharp knife twisting in her heart.
Each stab was agonizing, but not fatal.
The blood in Seraphina’s veins turned to ice, and she nearly stumbled. Then, the woman’s voice called out again.
‘Oh my god, is that Seraphina outside? I’ll be too embarrassed to ever show my face again!”
The man immediately pulled the covers up to shield Thalia and snarled at the figure in the doorway, “Get out!”
Her eyes burning with tears, Seraphina fled to the backyard garden.
She had been in love with Caspian for ten years.
That’s why she had been willing to marry him, even knowing he didn’t love her.
She had even agreed when Caspian suggested they keep their marriage a secret.
For three years, she was Caspian’s secretary by day and his hidden wife by night, a secret kept in the shadows.
Seraphina had believed that if she just loved him enough, she could eventually win his heart.
But three years of devotion had only earned her the label of “substitute”.
Seraphina sank weakly to the ground, crying and laughing at the same time, laughing at what a pathetic joke she’d been.
She laughed even harder at what an idiot Caspian was. Thalia had only come back to him as a fallback after she’d had her fun, yet he treated her like a precious
treasure.
She didn’t know how much time had passed before she finally took out her phone and called the man who had saved her, the richest man in the country.
“Mr. Hayes, you said last time that you were interested in me, didn’t you?”
“I’m getting divorced in seven days. Do you dare to marry me?”
