His Virgin Asisstant

Three years ago, when they got married, it was a union built on responsibility, not love. She had once asked him, "If you're unwilling, you don't need to take on this responsibility. It's just an old debt from our families. Now that my family is gone, you can choose not to uphold it." "Caleb, who is she?" Seraphina Rosewood, with a calm expression, looked at the couple embracing in front of her. She couldn’t quite pinpoint what she was feeling, but her hands instinctively tightened around the fabric of her coat. The pair in front of her were startled, abruptly pulled from their private world. However, they didn’t separate. The man frowned slightly as he looked at her. Seraphina couldn’t decipher his expression and didn’t want to try. She just wanted an answer—any answer. Before Caleb Ravenswood could respond, the woman in his arms turned her questioning gaze between Seraphina and Caleb, asking, "Caleb, who is she?" "Wait, no! Caleb, my mother might not make it! Can you come to the hospital with me? Please!" Celeste Anderson suddenly seemed to recall something, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked up at Caleb and pleaded. Her fragile demeanor could stir sympathy in anyone, even someone as cold and unyielding as Caleb. From the beginning, Seraphina had believed that no one could melt the emotional void in this man’s heart. Even though their relationship had improved over the past year, it was built on mutual respect rather than affection. If nothing changed, they could live a lifetime together on duty alone, without love. Yet somehow, Seraphina suddenly thought that Caleb might feel something for this woman who had appeared out of nowhere. And she was right. "Seraphina, go home first," Caleb said without hesitation, his words curt as he avoided her gaze and took Celeste's hand to leave. Seraphina’s heart chilled, but she boldly stepped in front of them, blocking their way. "Caleb, it won’t take you long to give me an answer. Just tell me who she is to you," she said calmly, her face devoid of emotion. Sometimes, she thought her own indifferent temperament mirrored his. The priest at their wedding had even said they looked like they were meant to be together. Even now, she remained composed. She didn’t look at Celeste, only at him. Caleb’s impatience showed as he frowned deeply. "Caleb..." Celeste tugged on his arm, her voice weak yet insistent. Seraphina, feeling the need to be more lenient, softened her approach. "Is she your ex-lover?" Before Caleb could respond, Celeste interjected indignantly, "We’ve always been lovers! Who are you?" Seraphina’s expression didn’t change. She thought she had prepared herself well. So, she didn’t respond to Celeste, only waited in silence, giving Caleb time to correct her statement. But three seconds passed, and he said nothing. Without another word, Seraphina turned and walked away. No one stopped her. Her slow steps allowed her to catch Celeste's faint, pitiful call: "Caleb..." "Which hospital?" Caleb’s voice followed, firm and unyielding. She had lived with him for three years and could tell the difference between his coldness and warmth. With his decisive tone, the two quickly got into a car and left. Seraphina didn’t know if Celeste had asked Caleb anything about her afterward. She only knew that she made her way back to their house—three years of shared living, a place that had begun to feel like home, despite his constant work. They spent only half a day together each week, a meager improvement achieved after years of effort. And now... She didn’t go inside, just stood at the door, taking it all in, before closing it and leaving. She hadn’t forgotten that she was supposed to visit her in-laws today. In truth, it was meant to be both of them going together, not just her alone. But even without him, she would still go. Even if her in-laws asked why he wasn’t there. "He had work come up, so I came first," Seraphina replied calmly when Mrs. Victoria Ravenswood inquired. Victoria didn’t seem to sense her detachment and merely complained lightly as she took Seraphina's hand and led her inside. The Ravenswood family treated her like their own daughter, their sincerity evident in their every action. She saw it and appreciated it, but she didn’t view them as her support. Perhaps it was her reserved nature. That same detachment now shielded her from the pain that might otherwise overwhelm her. She chose to repay their kindness with her own sincerity. And if she had to leave, she would do so without hesitation. "Seraphina, did he say when he’d arrive?" Victoria finally asked in the afternoon, unable to hold back. Seraphina, peeling garlic, paused briefly before answering in a soft voice, "I didn’t ask, Mother." "Ah, that workaholic habit of his. He’s hopeless," Victoria sighed in frustration. Seraphina didn’t fully understand her words. During their marriage, Caleb had always fulfilled his responsibilities in front of his parents, never showing her the coldness he reserved for her alone. She didn’t delve into it or respond to Victoria because, at that moment, a wave of nausea hit her. Clutching her mouth, she turned away and dry-heaved. Victoria immediately rushed to her side, concerned. "Seraphina, are you okay?" Seraphina suppressed her discomfort and waved her hand dismissively. "You shouldn’t keep things bottled up!" Victoria chided gently, her voice tinged with worry. "Your face is pale as a ghost. I’m taking you to the hospital!" Before Seraphina could protest, Victoria was already helping her up. Although she felt better by then, Seraphina didn’t resist, as she didn’t want to answer any more questions about Caleb. She relented, saying, "Mother, I can go by myself." "Absolutely not!" Victoria refused. Seraphina tried to reassure her. "I’m really fine, Mother. It’s probably just the weather, and my appetite has been off. I was planning to get a check-up anyway." "Really, it’s nothing serious." Her calm yet firm assurance finally convinced Victoria, who conceded. "Alright, but I’ll have someone take you." "Yes, Mother," Seraphina agreed without resistance. "Once you’ve had your check-up, don’t bother coming back here. Go home and rest. I’ll bring you some soup tomorrow to help you recover," Victoria said, showing her care. The Ravenswood estate was in the countryside, far from the city, and Victoria didn’t want her to tire herself out. Seraphina didn’t object to her kindness. She hadn’t intended to go to the hospital, but since the driver took her there, she decided to go in. She had no particular thoughts until she stepped inside. The strong scent of antiseptic hit her, making her head spin. She felt dizzy, losing her balance, and almost stumbled into someone. Even then, her mind remained blank.