Chapter 22
In the following days, Hunter and Serena visited more places. He purchased numerous exquisite jewelry pieces for her, and their romantic gestures flooded social media daily.
Initially, the online response was a mix of confusion and outrage. But within days, public opinion shifted overwhelmingly in Serena’s favor. People now proclaimed them the perfect match, saying Nadine’s death had conveniently cleared the way.
Hunter wanted to scream the truth, but he couldn’t reveal his real purpose. He endured the disparaging comments about Nadine while accompanying Serena to high–profile events.
One night, Serena slipped into Hunter’s bed wearing only a silk robe, her curvaceous figure on full display. She entwined herself around him, rubbing her smooth thighs against him with practiced seduction. Yet he felt no desire–only exhaustion and heartache.
Hunter coldly pushed her away. “Not tonight. Maybe next time.”
Serena immediately pouted, biting her lip as she pressed closer. “We only have five days! What’s wrong with touching me? Hunter, are you really this heartless?”
His expression darkened further. He shoved her off the bed entirely.
“These five days are fake, Serena! Don’t push it. The only one I love is Nadine. I won’t sleep with you.”
A frosty laugh escaped her. “How noble. But we’ve done it plenty before! Fail me now, and you’ll never see Nadine again.”
Agony lanced through Hunter’s chest. He wanted to strangle her, but his longing for Nadine- even one glimpse, even without forgiveness–overpowered everything.
Humiliation burned his throat as he picked Serena up from the floor and laid her on the bed. When he lowered himself over her, she smiled triumphantly as her slender arms caged his neck like prison bars.
He gave her what she wanted, taking and claiming with feigned passion as the bed shook
violently with their “lovemaking“.
Throughout it all, one traitorous thought haunted him. He and Nadine had never once shared a night of true intimacy.
He bit his lip, suppressing the pain in his heart, and thrust into her more violently. Dawn arrived before they finally stopped. Serena, who was thoroughly satisfied, drifted off to sleep.
Their performance of love continued in the days that followed. On the second day, they dined at the most expensive restaurant in the city center. Hunter meticulously cut the steak into bite
Chapter 22
-sized pieces, feeding each morsel to Serena as she beamed with happiness.
2/2
When Serena accidentally fell into the water, Hunter didn’t hesitate to dive in after her. He performed CPR for 30 minutes until she regained consciousness, an act captured on video that convinced the entire internet of their “true love“.
Nadine’s name gradually faded from public memory. No one remembered that Hunter once had a wife, his nemesis, someone who had loved him deeply.
Fear gnawed at Hunter’s heart. He couldn’t bear the thought of Nadine’s traces disappearing from his life, yet he was powerless to stop it. He could only cling to the belief that his choice
was right.
When Serena demanded shares of his company, Hunter immediately transferred 51% to her, making her the majority shareholder of Goldman Group and effectively handing over control.
This move shocked the Goldman family. They summoned Hunter that very night, demanding an explanation. Even so, he remained impassive. “It’s because I love her.”
Hunter’s grandfather, Henry Goldman, threw his cane at Hunter in rage.
“Ridiculous! Your grandmother had arranged your marriage to a fine young woman like Nadine! And this is how you repay her? You’re spitting on her memory! How dare you visit her grave now!”
Hunter stayed silent. He knew he no longer had the right to visit Emilia–or Nadine’s family, for that matter. But this was his last chance.
Hoarse with emotion, he repeated, “I love Serena. I’m willing to give her everything.”
That day, Hunter endured 99 lashes until his back was shredded. Yet he still crawled back to his villa, looking at Serena with desperate hope.
“Today’s the fifth day, Serena.”
Chapter 23
