I Was Just His Secret Game

For ten years, Serena Quinn had been Julian Shaw's secret lover, hidden from the world. She had always thought he kept their relationship quiet out of circumstance, until she saw the message on his phone. Julian: Just having fun. Does she even deserve to be my official girlfriend? It was two in the morning, but the penthouse suite at Langford Residences was still lit. Serena curled up under the covers, feeling as if her body had been dismantled and reassembled. Her wrists, waist, and inner thighs were covered in bruises and hickeys. Some areas had even broken the skin, tiny beads of blood forming. The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Julian was showering. This had become their routine. He was possessive and rough, leaving her behind in a mess while he walked away as if nothing had happened. A phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was Julian's phone. He never brought it into the shower. Serena hadn't intended to look. But the screen lit up, notifications popping one after another. The display name made her chest tighten. It was Evelyn Sutton. Evelyn was the daughter of the Sutton family in Havenport, Julian's childhood friend. Serena reached for the phone almost unconsciously. The screen wasn't locked. She opened the chat. At the top was a voice message from Evelyn. Serena hesitated, then tapped it. The soft, playful voice immediately filled the room. Evelyn: Julian, I tried on the third wedding dress today. Mom said it looked great! You have to come help me pick tomorrow, or I'll be upset. Evelyn: By the way, Dad prepared the guest list for next month's engagement party. Should we invite Miss Quinn? Even though she's just been with you all these years, wouldn't it be awkward not to? A cheeky sticker followed. Serena's mind went blank. Her blood seemed to freeze, and her fingers kept scrolling unconsciously. Evelyn: You went to her place again tonight? Didn't you promise to come watch the musical with me? Julian: Just passing time. Been stressed lately, needed to relieve it. Evelyn sent a sad emoji. Evelyn: Then be gentle with her. She always looks hurt in her photos. It's kind of pitiful. Julian: Gentle with her? She doesn't deserve it. You're different. You're going to be my wife. I wouldn't be rough with you. As for Serena, she's just a tool for my desires. A man has needs; they have to be satisfied somewhere. Don't be jealous. My heart belongs only to you. Serena couldn't see the rest clearly. Her vision blurred. The phone slipped from her hand and thudded against the carpet. At that moment, the bathroom door opened. Julian emerged, drying his hair, water trailing down his toned chest. He glanced at the phone on the floor, then at Serena's pale face, frowning slightly. "What's wrong?" he asked. Serena looked up. Ten years of obedience and compromise shattered in an instant. Her voice, hoarse and trembling, came out steady. "Julian… let's break up." He paused mid-dry, as if hearing a joke. A snort escaped him as he walked to the bed and bent over to pinch her chin. "Throwing a tantrum? Just because I hurt you tonight?" His fingers were hot, his body still radiating warmth, but Serena only felt cold. She shivered. "I said, break up." She repeated each word, biting hard. "Ten years, Julian. I'm done being your secret. Done being hurt and having to smile through it. Done not even being worthy of a name in front of your friends." "Just for this?" Julian released her chin, impatient. "Serena, you never cared about these things before." Serena gripped the sheets, tears spilling. "That's because I thought you cared about me." She looked up at him, each word dripping with pain. "I thought you had a reason for keeping us secret. I thought one day you'd hold my hand and tell everyone I was your girlfriend." Her body shook as ten years of grievances poured out. "I asked you so many times, Julian. I said, 'Take me to meet your friends?' You said it wasn't necessary. I said, 'Let's take a photo together.' I don't even have one, and you said you don't like taking pictures. I said, 'Be with me all day on my birthday?' You said you were busy, then posted photos of you in the Maldives with Evelyn. Julian, what do you take me for?" Julian listened quietly, expressionless. After she cried herself out, he slowly picked a shirt from the closet and put it on, calm and deliberate. "I thought we already had an unspoken understanding. Serena, from day one, you should have known we're not of the same world. What I can give you are money and houses. Titles? You? Deserve that?"