Chapter 3

My blood ran cold, and my mind went blank.

So, Snowball wasn’t something Jasper picked out just for me. He simply brought the cat home because Molly didn’t want it.

Snowball let out a wail and leaped to the floor. Looking down, I noticed a few strands of fur clinging to my hand.

Jasper had already booked the tickets, along with a luxurious suite with a king-size bed.

I glanced at the dates. It was set for the third of next month—seven days from now.

If my application went through, that would also be the day I left for Ashford.

That evening, Jasper thoughtfully brought me a glass of milk, as he often did.

His eyes glimmered with desire, but the sight made my stomach churn. I reached out, and my hand accidentally knocked the glass over.

The white liquid soaked the sheets, but Jasper was quick to check on me, his voice full of concern.

“Selena, are you okay? Did it burn you?”

My eyes reddened, and my throat felt dry.

“I’m fine.”

Jasper let out a relieved sigh and patiently cleaned up the mess.

Watching him move back and forth, his figure flickering in and out of the room, I felt a strange sense of disconnect.

“Jasper. Oh Jasper, which version is the real you?” I thought.

Once the sheets were replaced, he looked visibly tired.

Just then, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and, with a composed expression, said it was a work matter that needed his attention.

“Get some rest,” he added before heading to the study.

I nodded, feeling a wave of relief.

I couldn’t bear to be close to him anymore.

As Jasper disappeared into the study, I lay awake.

Unable to sleep, I decided to look for a book to read.

But as I opened the door to the study, I heard Jasper’s voice coming from inside.

"Don’t worry, I won’t let Selena get pregnant before your baby is born."

"Every night, she drinks the milk I’ve laced with powdered contraceptives. She doesn’t even notice."

"Are you still upset? How about I take you to the ocean? We can watch the stars on the deck later."

Contraceptive pills?

That nightly glass of milk was laced with contraceptives.

I stumbled back to the bedroom, trembling uncontrollably.

Desperate to calm myself, I busied my hands—organizing the vanity and rearranging the closet.

But when I saw the red lace lingerie hanging in the wardrobe, I broke down completely.

I never wear anything like that. If it wasn’t mine, then it had to be hers—Molly Fox.

Her name was like a thorn, lodged deep in my heart, impossible to remove.

Suddenly, my phone chimed.

My application got approved.

I was to report to Ashford on the third of next month.

I clenched my fists, shutting my eyes to regain my composure.

An hour later, the mattress dipped slightly as Jasper slid into bed. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, just like he always did.

My body stiffened, and in the darkness, I spoke.

“Jasper, have you cut ties with Molly Fox?”

The man behind me froze.

The next second, he said, “Of course I’ve cut ties. Selena, I would never lie to you.”

My heart sank deeper. At some point, Jasper had changed, becoming someone I could barely recognize.

I turned to face him in the dim light, staring straight into his eyes. With a resolute tone, I said, “Jasper, don’t lie to me. If I caught you lying, I’d never forgive you. I’ll leave you for good.”

Jasper froze, then looked at me with what seemed like genuine sincerity. “Selena, I swear, I would never lie to you. Losing you is a price I can’t afford to pay.”

We stared at each other for a long time. His eyes were clear, betraying no hint of guilt.

After a moment, I closed my eyes and suppressed the bitterness welling up inside me.

The third arrived quickly. Jasper took me up to the deck, where we stood in the breeze.

Someone approached him, trying to strike up a conversation, but he gently pulled me into his arms.

“Sorry, I’m married. I love my wife deeply, and she’s the only one I’ll ever be devoted to.”

The woman looked at me with admiration, gushing about how lucky I was to have such a handsome, wealthy, and loyal husband.

I forced a smile but caught sight of a familiar figure in white out of the corner of my eye.

That evening, Jasper and I sat on the deck, looking at the stars.

His phone kept buzzing. I watched the furrow in his brow deepen and asked softly, “Is it something urgent?”

Jasper turned off his phone and shook his head. “No, my time is all yours, Selena. I’ve changed. Really, you have to believe me.”

I smiled faintly and murmured an “okay,” but I didn’t say I believed him.

Jasper seemed agitated, his lips pressed tightly together, and his brows furrowed deeply.

I stayed silent.

Finally, he spoke.

“Selena, I have some work to handle. Would you mind staying here for a bit to watch the stars on your own?”

“Is it urgent?”

“Yes.”

Clearly, someone was waiting for him with urgency.

“Alright, go ahead.”

Jasper pressed a kiss to my forehead and gently ruffled my hair.

“My Selena is so wonderful—kind and understanding. Be good; I’ll be back soon. Stay wrapped in the blanket so you don’t catch a cold.”

As soon as Jasper left, my mood soured, and I quietly followed him.

He slipped into the room next to mine, hurriedly shutting the door behind him.

Before long, I heard muffled voices from inside.

“Honey, I’m so jealous. You spent the whole day with her. I don’t care. Tonight, you have to stay with me.”

“Not tonight. I promise I’ll take you out next time, just the two of us. For now, let me see our baby.”

Listening to the intimacy in their conversation, I turned away and called over a staff member.

“Is the small boat I requested ready?”

“It’s ready, ma’am. You can depart anytime.”

I stepped off the cruise ship and onto the waiting boat.

As we set off, my phone buzzed relentlessly.

“Dear Selena, you must have seen us by now. Do you finally believe that Jasper loves me?”

“To make me happy during my pregnancy, he’s been lacing your nightly milk with contraceptives. He promised me that once I’ve given birth, he’ll divorce you and marry me.”

“What’s so special about being childhood sweethearts? You still can’t compete with fate.”

The attached photo showed Jasper tenderly cradling Molly’s face, his lips pressed to hers in a gentle kiss.

I turned off the screen and handed my phone to the staff member.

“Please give this to the man I came with and tell him that Selena Long doesn’t want him anymore.”

As the staff member stared in stunned silence, my boat pulled away, leaving the cruise ship behind.