CHAPTER ONE
The courtroom was deathly silent—but inside Seraphina’s chest, a storm raged.
Her hands trembled at her sides as the bailiff called the court to order. She stood rooted to the floor, her breath lodged in her throat, heart hammering like it was trying to escape her ribcage.
“Mrs. Seraphina Blake,” the judge said, peering down at her over the rim of his glasses. “You are being sued for infidelity, breach of marital vows, and defamation of character. How do you plead?”
The murmurs began—low, cruel, hungry.
Seraphina blinked. “Not guilty,” she whispered.
“Louder.”
She cleared her throat. “Not guilty.”
From across the room, Garrett Blake leaned back in his chair, arms folded, face carved from ice. His smug smirk tightened as Ivy leaned in and whispered something in his ear. Whatever it was, it made them both chuckle.
Seraphina’s stomach clenched.
The prosecutor stood. “Your Honor, we’d like to submit Exhibit A.”
The courtroom lights dimmed slightly as a projector screen flickered to life.
Seraphina’s blood ran cold.
There it was.
The photo.
She was lying in a hotel bed, half-naked, hair messy, duvet twisted around her like a secret she couldn’t hide. Next to her—a man. Equally bare. Equally unknown.
Gasps erupted across the courtroom.
Seraphina felt her knees buckle. The walls closed in. Her memories fought to resurface.
That day.
That room.
She hadn’t known where she was when she woke up. Her head throbbed like it had been split open. Her mouth tasted of something bitter. She was alone. Naked. Confused.
No idea how she got there. No idea who the man was.
The room had smelled faintly of cologne and shame.
She’d dressed in a hurry, hands shaking as she slipped into her clothes. When she opened the hotel door, rain slammed into her like punishment. She ducked into the first cab she saw and whispered her address like a criminal confessing a sin.
By the time she reached the Blake residence, her dress clung to her skin. Her hair stuck to her cheeks. Her heart pounded with a single prayer—Let him not be home. Let no one know.
But when she opened the front door, she walked into a trap.
Three pairs of eyes turned toward her.
Garrett.
Maureen.
Ivy.
They were seated like royalty at a trial—hers.
“Well, well,” Ivy said with a cruel smile. “Sleeping Beauty’s back from her little... adventure.”
Garrett didn’t move. He took a slow sip from his glass and said, “I was wondering when you'd crawl back.”
Seraphina froze, soaked and silent.
Maureen sat upright, regal as ever. “Did you enjoy your night, dear?” she asked with cold sweetness. “Must’ve been memorable.”
Seraphina’s mouth opened. Nothing came out. Shame clung to her throat like barbed wire. Her knees hit the floor, hard.
“I don’t know what happened,” she whispered. “I swear, I don’t even know the man. I just woke up there—I didn’t—”
“Save it,” Ivy snapped. “You looked very comfortable in that bed. That wasn’t an accident, sweetheart.”
Seraphina’s eyes filled. Her voice cracked. “Garrett, please. I didn’t cheat on you. I would never—”
“Then explain the photo,” Garrett said, lifting a brow. “Photoshop?”
Her world blurred. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think.
Then—
“Mrs. Blake,” the prosecutor’s voice snapped her back to the present. “Can you explain why you were in a hotel room, half-naked, with a man who is not your husband?”
Seraphina didn’t answer.
The image still blazed on the screen like a fire she couldn’t put out.
The judge cleared his throat and spoke.
“This court has reviewed the evidence… and in light of Exhibit A, along with submitted testimonies…”
Time slowed.
“…the court grants the petition for divorce in favor of Mr. Garrett Blake.”
A pause.
“Mrs. Blake shall vacate the Blake residence within seventy-two hours and relinquish all claims to shared assets, in accordance with the prenuptial agreement.”
The courtroom erupted into gasps and whispers.
Seraphina didn’t move. Her fingers dug into the wooden seat as if anchoring her to reality. A single tear trailed down her cheek.
Garrett stood. Straightened his suit. Not once did his eyes show pity.
He turned and walked away.
Ivy followed, heels tapping like applause.
Seraphina stared blankly ahead.
Her marriage. Her home. Her name.
Gone.
All of it—ripped away by one photo and a night she couldn’t explain.
If only she could turn back time.
If only she hadn’t agreed to live with that family eighteen years ago.
If only she had known...
That, the day she entered the Hart mansion, her life had already been sold.
