I Was Just His Secret Game

Chapter 2 The Truth Comes Out

Serena felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She stared at the man she had loved for ten years, suddenly seeing him as a stranger.

Julian seemed to realize he had gone too far. He stepped closer, softening his tone.

"Calm down. Stop making a scene," he said. "Tomorrow, I'll have the florist send red roses. You've always loved red roses."

Red roses. Serena's chest tightened painfully. Yes, she had always loved red roses. But every single bouquet Julian had given her was just leftovers from Evelyn's family florist, unsold and second-rate.

She had once been touched, thinking it was his clumsy attempt at romance. Until now, when she saw the chat between him and Evelyn.

Julian: Do you like today's flowers?

Evelyn: I love them! But next time, don't send so many. My shop can't hold them all.

Julian: Throw them away if you have to. Serena is easy to please. Send her the leftovers and she'll be happy for half a day.

Serena shoved him violently, grabbed her clothes, and stumbled toward the door.

Julian reached for her, but missed. He shouted after her, "Serena!"

She didn't look back.

The elevator descended, and by the time she reached the lobby, her tears had blurred her vision.

Julian caught up and grabbed her wrist at the entrance, anger flashing in his eyes.

"Stop! Come back with me!"

Serena struggled fiercely. "Let go of me!"

Then a soft, female voice cut through the argument.

"Julian?"

Both of them froze.

Serena looked up. Evelyn was there, impeccably dressed in the latest Chanel, perfectly made up, arm-in-arm with a few friends, staring at them with mock surprise.

Julian almost instantly let go of Serena's hand. He even reflexively shoved her hard into the nearby decorative bushes.

Serena fell forward, her forehead hitting the edge of a stone step. Everything went black.

Through the pain, she saw Julian standing beside Evelyn, his arm casually draped over her shoulder.

"Out this late? I'll take you home."

Evelyn glanced at Serena in the bushes, a hint of mockery in her eyes, but quickly smiled. "Sure, but that lady…"

"I don't know her," Julian interrupted, his tone casual. "Probably drunk. Let's go. My car's over there."

He didn't even glance back.

Serena slumped in the bushes, staring blankly as Julian led Evelyn into a black Rolls-Royce and disappeared around the corner.

She didn't know how long she sat there before her phone buzzed.

It was a message from Julian.

Julian: Done making a scene? Go home. Don't mention tonight's matter again.

Serena looked at the message, laughed, and then cried.

The blood from her forehead wound mixed with her tears, tasting salty and metallic in her mouth.

She didn't remember how she got to the hospital, or how she returned home.

Julian never contacted her again that night.

But the next day, nine hundred and ninety-nine red roses arrived at her apartment. The same packaging, the same handwriting on the card, from Evelyn's family florist.

Serena didn't even look. She sent the bouquet back immediately. She began packing.

The apartment had been bought by Julian three years ago, under her name. She had been touched at the time, thinking it was a promise.

Now she realized it was just the usual tactic of a wealthy man managing a mistress. Ten years of youth exchanged for a house. How fair.

Halfway through packing, she heard the doorbell rang. She thought it was a delivery. Instead, three strangers stood at the door.

The one in front she recognized: Chloe, one of Evelyn's friends and daughter of the Yates family.

"Serena?"

Chloe looked her up and down, eyes dripping with contempt. "So this is the girl who made Julian fall head over heels?"

Serena tried to close the door, but another woman blocked it.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?"

Chloe pushed inside, sneering as she glanced around the apartment. "Julian treats you well, huh? This location and layout must be worth millions. But no matter how nice the house, it doesn't change the fact that you're a mistress."

"I'm not a mistress."

Serena clenched her fists, voice cold. "I've been with Julian for ten years. First come, first serve. Mistress, my foot…"

"What first come, first serve?" Chloe interrupted, eyes sharp and threatening. "Julian is hers if she wants him. Who are you to compete?"

Then she yanked Serena by the hair and slammed her to the floor.

"Ah!" Serena screamed.

"Stay away from Julian," Chloe hissed, leaning close. "He's soft for her, but we're not. One more move from you, and you won't last in Havenport."

The other two women joined in, shoving Serena toward the door.

"What are you doing? Let go!" She struggled, but they were too many.

They dragged her out to the lobby, just as people were leaving work. Passersby stopped, staring.

"Stop staring!" Chloe raised her voice. "She's a shameless mistress, seducing someone else's fiancé. We're just delivering justice!"

"I'm not!" Serena tried to explain, but the crowd drowned her out.

Someone raised a phone and started recording.

Chloe smirked and nodded. The other two women tore at Serena's clothes, exposing her white lingerie.

Gasps and camera flashes erupted from the crowd.

"Enough." A low, deep voice suddenly rang out.