Eight Years Married to a Liar

Chapter 4 Get Out!

Seraphina stared at the screen for a second, then locked her phone. Her face gave nothing away.

She'd already given up on him. But he kept finding new ways to sink lower.

She'd accepted it: she'd wasted years on a liar.

The only thing left was to pull herself out of the mess.

The next morning, right at sunrise, Cedric stumbled in. He reeked of alcohol.

He kicked off his shoes, tossed his socks aside, and collapsed on the couch. Then he called out for water.

Seraphina just looked at him, cold, and didn't move.

Cedric squinted at her, annoyed. "You're still mad? I'm the one who should be pissed. You embarrassed me yesterday. But I'm letting it go. What more do you want?"

Seraphina sneered. "You cheated on me. You want a thank-you?"

Cedric staggered to his feet. I told you. It was nothing. You're overthinking it. Look. Guys like me? Successful guys? We have women around. It's normal. You wouldn't get it. My coworkers? They're all doing it. Every time we hang out, I'm the only one without someone on the side. It's embarrassing."

Seraphina stared at him. He felt like a stranger, like she'd never really known him at all.

Her hands curled into fists. She gritted her teeth. How did I never see this? Who even are you? Successful? Please. Everything you're wearing—I bought it. You gave Ophelia that watch—didn't feel a thing, did you? You bleed me dry at home so you can play big shot outside. When did you get so fake?"

Her voice cracked. And her eyes burned. "And the heart condition. You lied about that from day one. I spent our whole marriage walking on eggshells, terrified you'd drop dead. How could you do that to me? For eight years? Are you even human?"

Cedric didn't even flinch. "Not my fault. I was just messing with you back then—didn't want you to sue me or something. How was I supposed to know you'd feel so bad you'd finish my deliveries? And then you just... kept believing it. For years."

He paused, then added, "Seriously, though. There's being naive, and then there's an i***t. Good thing you ended up with someone like me—someone who looks out for you. On your own? You'd get eaten alive."

Seraphina swayed on her feet.

She'd been deceived for eight years—yet he brushed it off with just a few words.

To him, it was as if nothing had ever happened.

She dug her nails into her palms. Her voice came out in a whisper. "You never once thought about telling me the truth? Not once?"

Cedric paused. Then he shrugged. "What difference would it make? You seemed happy enough doing all the housework. Not like I forced you. The suits, the watch—you wanted to buy them. That was your choice. And once you give me something, it's mine. I do what I want with it."

Seraphina's chest burned. Every word he said cut deeper.

But Cedric kept going. "Anyway. You need to sign the house over to me. I'm using it as collateral for an investment. Don't worry—it's a sure thing."

Watching him act like it was all perfectly justified, she couldn't hold back any longer.

All these years, he'd kept asking her for money—never enough.

She thought it was for his career. But he'd been funding his affairs the whole time.

And now he wanted the house? The one she'd paid for, penny by penny? He hadn't contributed a cent.

She grabbed the vase off the table and hurled it at him. "Get out!"