[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322A01459-496":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},496,3,"Chapter 3: \"My Task Is Finished.\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A few days later, Desmond walked in clutching a massive bouquet of roses. He shoved them toward me. \"Want to be my girlfriend?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Back then, I was so intoxicated by the idea of being loved that I didn’t see the rot underneath.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">From dating to walking down the aisle, it only took us six months.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">On our wedding night, I rested my head against his chest, blissfully content.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Then, he leaned into my ear and said, clear and cold: \"My task is finished.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I chuckled, looking up at him, confused. \"What?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He stared back, his expression deadly serious. \"You’d never been in a relationship. I’ve effectively taught you the ropes so you won't get taken advantage of when you’re with someone else.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"My parents kept me until I was twenty-five; it was time I paid them back.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"They wouldn't have agreed to let me be with Vienna if I didn't marry you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So, this is a sham. To our parents, we’re a married couple. The rest of the time? You’re you, and I’m me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My mind went completely blank. I just stared at him, hollowed out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Desmond stood up, looming over me with an air of clinical detachment. \"So, Serenity, tell me—why would you ever want to be in love with someone like me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">God, he was right. Why did I?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I hated myself for it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It wasn't until much later that I realized his parents had leveraged his inheritance—the keys to the family empire—to force him into this marriage.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My phone screen lit up with a notification: \"Your market analysis report was brilliant; the board is thrilled. We're launching the Southside branch next quarter and are currently building the core team. Interested?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I fired back a reply instantly: \"Yes. Thank you. I’m ready whenever you need me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The bedroom door creaked open.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Desmond gave a dry, humorless laugh. \"Drop the act. I know you're not asleep.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You never sleep on an empty stomach.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I buried my face into the duvet and mumbled, \"I’m not hungry. It’s too late. It’ll just sit like lead.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I can boil some hawthorn tea for your digestion.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't bother. I’m going to sleep. I have to wake up early tomorrow to pick up Seven.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Desmond stiffened, his voice dropping an octave. \"You only sent her away yesterday. You’re already missing the cat?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272915766]