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Three years into my marriage, the same day Nathaniel Kensington's older brother died, I asked for a divorce. Nathaniel's brow creased in bewilderment. "All because I took a slap for Sera?" Sera. The way he said her name—so tender, so familiar. The truth was, Seraphina Villiers was his sister-in-law. I gave him a cold smile. "Yeah. That's exactly why." Could one slap really destroy a marriage? That night, the red welt on Nathaniel's cheek had been impossible to miss. He'd protected Seraphina so brazenly that even the Kensington family had been shocked. Only I hadn't even blinked. Three days before, on our wedding anniversary... I'd planned a surprise trip, catching a red-eye flight to the city where Nathaniel worked. Instead of the warm welcome I'd imagined, I'd overheard him talking with two buddies. "Nathaniel, man, I've gotta call you out. Disappearing every year on your anniversary? That's ice-cold. Melanie's been nothing but devoted to you." Nathaniel, usually so polished and controlled, looked exhausted. "Think I enjoy this? If I didn't stay away from her, she'd never buy that I haven't laid a finger on her all these years." "She..." One friend clearly bit his tongue, then exploded. "You mean Seraphina? Nathaniel, have you lost your goddamn mind? You're still hung up on her even though she's expecting another kid?" He scoffed. "What about Melanie? Keep treating her like dirt. Aren't you worried Alistair Vane will come for your throat?" "He won't." Nathaniel rubbed his fingers together, stone-faced. "She married me. That ended things between them. Alistair's had her blocked on WhatsApp for three years." Outside the room, I'd walked away without a sound. My steps stayed even, but my fingers shook like leaves. I'd suspected another woman. I'd dug around, tried to figure out who, but everyone stayed silent. I'd considered dozens of possibilities but never imagined it would be Seraphina—the same "sister-in-law" I'd smiled at politely for three years. God, how pathetic. When I left the club, the heavens opened. I didn't move as the rain soaked me like I was made of cardboard. That night, I caught a red-eye back to Oakhaven. The second I got home, my body gave out. I burned with fever for two days straight. Just as I started feeling human again, Gabriel Kensington, Nathaniel's older brother, had his accident. A week later, Gabriel's funeral took place in Oakhaven. I'd barely managed two or three hours of sleep each night at the Kensington house. After the service, walking out of the cemetery, my body moved forward while my soul lagged behind. Our driver waited by the gate. I climbed in and shut my eyes. "Benson, take me home." "Not heading back to the family house?" he asked. "No." The funeral was finished, but the Kensington family drama was just getting started. Gabriel had been the eldest son, their golden boy. He'd died because Seraphina insisted on skydiving. His gear malfunctioned, and he plummeted from thousands of feet up. By the time they got him to the hospital, they were stitching together pieces, not saving a life. The Kensington family's rage toward Seraphina hadn't cooled an inch. I had zero interest in watching my husband play white knight for another woman. I had my own mess to deal with. Just as the car lurched forward, the back door swung open. Nathaniel appeared, dressed in a sharp black suit. Tall, lean, controlled as always, but with an unusual crack in his composure. "Mel, heading home?" he asked. "Mm." I barely looked up before spotting the woman beside him. Seraphina, clutching a pudgy little boy. Seraphina and Gabriel's son, Leopold Kensington, was four years old. Round and squishy like a balloon. Before I could ask what they were doing, Leopold bounced into the car like he owned it. "Aunt Melanie, can you give me and Mommy a ride home?" I frowned and looked at Nathaniel. His mouth pressed into a thin line. "Mom and Dad are still livid. Let Sera and Leo crash at our place for a while." Seeing my hesitation, he added, "Didn't you say you wanted a kid? Perfect chance to practice with Leo." I almost burst out laughing, then remembered where we were and swallowed it. So now he was shipping Seraphina and her son to our house while he dealt with the fallout at his parents'? What a hero. Once home, our housekeeper Hester Digby had already set up the guest room. Nathaniel must've called ahead. I didn't care. After a hot shower, I crashed into bed and slept like I was dead. When I finally surfaced, it was 9:00 p.m. As I reached for my phone, it buzzed. My best friend Gabrielle Paige was calling. "I've got the divorce papers drafted exactly how you wanted. Want me to send them over for you to check?" Gabrielle asked. "Thanks, Ms. Paige, my brilliant lawyer." My voice came out scratchy and soft. "Don't bother. Just call a courier and have them delivered." "You're rushing this?" Gabrielle sounded worried. "Are you positive about this? Nathaniel might suck as a husband, but in some ways..." I flicked on the lamp and sat up. My head cleared instantly. "I'm sure, Gabi. I caught him jerking off to another woman's photo." ... Chapter 2: Chapter 2 The Second Document Melanie's POV "What?" Gabrielle's voice went blank through the phone. She clearly hadn't expected someone as quiet as I was to say something so blunt. But what shocked her even more was that bastard Nathaniel actually had the gall to humiliate me like this. I heard Gabrielle mutter something nasty under her breath before saying, "Forget the delivery service. I'm bringing the papers over myself. After that, I'm heading back to the office to pull an all-nighter." No way was she letting some motorcycle courier beat her car there today. After she hung up, even I was surprised by how easily those words had spilled out. Maybe it was because the bitterness had been festering for so long, choking my chest, my mind, every inch of me. Just like that night at the club, when Nathaniel had said it himself—he'd never touched me. Nobody would buy it, but after three years of marriage, I was still untouched. At first, I'd wondered if maybe something was wrong with him physically. But then I caught him multiple times in his study, gripping a photo album while taking care of himself. Those deep, rough sounds he made—every single one felt like a slap across my face. Once, when he realized I'd spotted him, he pulled me close and whispered against my neck, "Mel, I'm sorry. I just... I was scared of hurting you. I couldn't go through with it. So I used your picture instead." What bullshit. And the most pathetic part? I'd actually believed him and felt my cheeks burn. But the night I flew back to Oakhaven, dizzy from fever medication, I used what little energy I had to force open the locked drawer in his study. Inside sat the album. Every single page showed Seraphina—glowing, alive, bursting with energy. Each smile and look was preserved like something precious. I'd never felt more like the butt of some cruel joke. In a fog, old memories surfaced. I remembered trailing behind Nathaniel like a little ghost. But honestly, I hadn't been following him at all. I'd been following my big brother, who was always at his side. I'd seen Nathaniel so much that eventually, I figured marrying him might not be terrible. Nathaniel had been kind, gentle, always bringing me small presents when he came to see my brother. Out of all his friends, he'd seemed the most polished and well-mannered. And yet this so-called gentleman would rather pleasure himself to his sister-in-law than touch his own wife. I hadn't expected Gabrielle to arrive so quickly. I'd barely finished getting dressed and hadn't even made it downstairs when the doorbell chimed. Gabrielle showed up with the kind of fire that screamed, "If the courthouse was open right now, I'd haul you both there this second." I felt more solid with the papers in my hands. But then a sharp crack rang through the house. Before I could move, Hester came rushing down the stairs, her face tight with panic. "Ms. Grant—" "What happened?" "Leo shattered the family photo in your bedroom." I figured it was just the frame. But when Hester handed me the pieces, my face went white. My parents had died in a crash when I was five. That photograph had been all I had left of them. My only memory. I gripped the broken fragments and marched upstairs. At the top, Seraphina emerged from her room with her son in her arms. My voice turned to ice. "Seraphina, that was my room." "Uncle Nathaniel said this is my house now," Leopold announced, full of swagger. "Uncle Nathaniel also said he's gonna take care of me and Mommy like a real daddy!" I looked at Seraphina, who made no move to correct or discipline her son. I gave a bitter laugh, crouched down, and met Leopold's eyes. "Do you know what Santa Claus does to kids like you at Christmas?" The boy stuck his chin up proudly. "He brings me tons of presents!" "Nope." I shook my head, smiling sweetly. "He chops off the hands of kids who break things, roasts them in his oven, and feeds them to beasts." "WAAAHHH!" Leopold, still just a little boy, exploded into sobs and wrapped himself around Seraphina like she was his lifeline. Seraphina shot me a furious look. "He's only a child. Did you really need to terrify him like that?" "You can't even control your own kid. What else can you do besides extreme sports?" I didn't stick around for her answer. I turned and walked away. That evening, a black Maybach pulled into the driveway. I stood by the massive window, watching as Nathaniel stepped out. Leopold rushed to him right away, pulling Seraphina along. The three of them looked like a picture-perfect family. Finally, someone knocked on the door. Nathaniel walked in. His fresh white shirt and confident movements contrasted sharply with the strain in his voice. "You frightened Leo?" "I did," I said, pointing toward my nightstand. "He broke my family photograph." Nathaniel went still. For the first time, he seemed to grasp he didn't have the full picture. He reached out to mess with my hair, but I stepped away. Thinking I was still upset, he gentled his voice. "That's on me. Let me say sorry for him. What do you want? I'll make this right." I smiled slightly. "Anything I want?" Nathaniel nodded. "Absolutely." "I only need two things." I handed him the papers I'd prepared. Nathaniel looked at the property transfer agreement and signed without pause. The second document he flipped straight to the signature page and signed just as fast. When it came to money, he never hesitated. Afterwards, he exhaled slowly and gently drew me into his arms. "Mel, how did your brother manage to raise you to be so sweet and understanding?" I felt sick to my stomach. Just as I was about to push him off, there was a tap on the half-open door. Nathaniel immediately stepped back the moment he spotted who it was. I went rigid. And in that second, everything made sense. He'd spent three years avoiding touching me just to stay faithful to the woman he really loved. Now that they were living in the same house, he had to put on an act. Seraphina looked mildly irritated. "Nate, Leo won't go to sleep unless you're there with him." "I'll be right there." Nathaniel turned to me. "You're not upset, are you?" "Not at all," I said without emotion. After he left, I pulled out the second document. It was the divorce agreement. Yes, I was understanding. So understanding, I'd drafted the divorce papers myself and put them right in his hands. ... Chapter 3: Chapter 3 The Last Painting Melanie's POV The next morning, I woke up on my own, my body clock functioning like clockwork. I drew back the curtains and discovered a white blanket covering everything outside. The weather report hadn't mentioned snow at all. This wasn't just a light sprinkling either—it was a complete blizzard. Even through the window, I could sense the bitter cold. I slipped into a knitted dress and was just beginning my morning routine when harsh sounds rang out from the corridor. The noise was grating. If I hadn't known any better, I would've assumed construction workers had arrived. "Hester, what's happening—" I twisted my hair into a casual bun and pulled open the door, my words dying mid-sentence. No construction crew. It looked like raiders had swept through the house. The immaculate home was destroyed. Decorative cushions from the downstairs couch lay beside my doorway, covered in dark brown mess. A ceramic vase had tumbled across the floor and broken into fragments. The million-dollar oil masterpiece hanging in the corridor was destroyed. Complete devastation. Hester followed Leopold around, almost begging, "Leo, please stop, don't touch that. That's Ms. Grant's precious tea collection." She was already too late. He demolished the tea set completely. Leopold stuck his tongue out and snorted like a miniature dictator. "Blehhh! I want to play with it! Uncle Nathaniel told me this is my house now. You're just hired help. What right do you have to tell me what to do?" Then he glanced up and met my gaze as I stood there watching him quietly. I saw his confidence waver. I must have scared him badly yesterday, and I could guess from the hatred in his eyes that he wanted me gone. His mother had probably promised that once I disappeared, Nathaniel would be theirs alone. I kept my face neutral. "Continue. Have fun. Don't rush." Leopold's eyes widened. "For real?" He'd just destroyed my treasured belongings, and I wasn't furious? I rested against the banister with a slight smile and looked down at the ground floor, where Seraphina stood acting like she couldn't hear anything. "Absolutely. Just avoid the ink artwork in the guest lounge. That one's my treasure." I had no idea if Seraphina had orchestrated this or if Leopold had dreamed up this chaos himself. It made no difference. I wasn't exactly an angel either. Someone had once shown me that when you're attacked, you strike back ten times more ruthlessly. Leopold's face brightened. "Awesome!" he yelled and sprinted away. Hester exhaled deeply. "Ms. Grant, you and Mr. Kensington indulge that boy far too much." "It's alright," I said evenly. "Let him be. He's the Kensington family's sole heir. As long as he's content, that's what counts. And Seraphina hasn't objected, has she? We should honor her choices. If something goes wrong, neither of us can handle the consequences." Hester agreed reluctantly. "You're too generous. That's why people assume they can take advantage of you." I maintained my subtle smile but didn't respond to that. Instead, I asked, "Do we have any empty gift boxes?" "What type?" "Any kind. Just needs to hold something letter-sized." "There might be some in the storage area," Hester said. "I'll check." After I got the box, I went back to my room and locked the door. I put the signed divorce papers inside and secured the top with a ribbon, adding a decorative bow. A thunderous crash echoed from below. I didn't react. I adjusted the bow and gave a small nod. 'Perfect. Absolutely perfect.' Minutes later, someone banged on the door. Hester's panicked voice rang out, "Ms. Grant, come downstairs immediately! Leo just destroyed Mr. Percival's last painting!" I jumped up, my face darkening. "The one in the guest lounge?" Hester confirmed. "Yes." I rushed toward the stairs and twisted my ankle on the descent. Leopold spotted me and lifted his chin arrogantly. His entire expression screamed, "What are you going to do about it?" I turned to Hester. "Did you contact the Kensington house?" "Not yet." "Do it now." Before I finished speaking, Leopold ran at me. "No! Mean lady, don't tell on me!" I didn't anticipate it. He struck me with surprising strength, sending me crashing to the ground. Sharp pain stabbed through my lower back. Seraphina hurried over. "Mel, are you hurt?" With a sigh, she added in a scolding voice, "Leopold's been pampered, I admit. He doesn't understand gentleness. But he's only a child. Please don't hold it against him." I clutched my ribs and stared at the ink painting—now ripped down the middle. I released a quiet, icy laugh. "So allowing a child to wreck other people's belongings is your idea of proper parenting too?" Tears formed in Seraphina's eyes. "I only turned away for a second! Do you really need to blame me for everything?" "A second?" I looked around at all the destruction. "Look at this damage, and it's not even midday. So explain to me, exactly when were you supervising him?" Seraphina's attitude shifted the moment we were alone. "Melanie! Why must you be so harsh? You're actually going to call the main house over some silly painting? You think Grandma will choose your side over mine?" "Let me correct you," I said icily. "That 'silly painting' was Grandpa's last creation before he passed away." As my words hung in the air, a black car pulled into the driveway. The Kensington family had arrived—quickly. ... Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Never Touched Her Melanie's POV Seraphina's expression turned to stone the instant she spotted the familiar vehicle approaching. Terror flashed across her face as her sharp gaze fixed on me. "This was deliberate, wasn't it? You orchestrated this whole thing!" My eyes welled up with feigned innocence. "Seraphina, I have no idea what you mean. I was upstairs getting Nate's gift ready. Why are you blaming me?" Just then, Harrison Miller, the Kensington family's butler, walked into the disaster zone that used to be our living room. He surveyed the destruction before his attention landed on Seraphina. "Miss Seraphina, Mrs. Kensington has a message for you. Since you've clearly failed as a mother, she'll handle your discipline herself." Seraphina's mouth fell open. "Excuse me?" Harrison's tone remained courteous but firm. "You're to kneel outside. Several hours." "Harrison—" I started to intervene, but he cut me off with a kind smile. "Miss Melanie, there's no need to speak for her," he said gently. "You've been through enough with the funeral arrangements. Please look after yourself." I'd been hoping to ask whether Margaret felt well enough to discuss divorce proceedings at a more appropriate time. In this house, Nathaniel might run the business empire, but Margaret ruled everything under this roof. Seraphina had no choice but to kneel in the bitter snow, despite her obvious reluctance. Good. She deserves this, I thought, not bothering to look back as I headed for the stairs. Hester looked uncertain. "Miss Grant, what about the artwork?" "Don't worry about it. Someone will collect it shortly for restoration." I kept my explanation brief. Obviously, I wasn't about to mention that what hung on our wall was a reproduction. The authentic piece was already safely stored at my friend's gallery, completely unharmed. Percival Kensington had dreamed of sharing his art with the world. Keeping it locked away here would have betrayed that vision. "You witch!" Leopold's voice cracked as he screamed at me from the bottom of the staircase. "I told Uncle Nathaniel everything! You're finished when he gets here!" "I'll be right here waiting." "He's going to dump you! Then you'll be some pathetic old woman nobody wants!" the boy shrieked. I laughed softly. "He won't listen to you." Nathaniel and Seraphina still needed me as their cover story. The second we divorced, how would it look? A man sharing a house with his deceased brother's widow? Seraphina's social standing would crumble. Nathaniel would never risk that. —— Nathaniel's POV I arrived quickly. Seraphina had barely been kneeling for a short while when my car pulled up. I emerged wearing my long black cashmere overcoat, my tall frame radiating calm control and natural command. I rushed straight to Seraphina, lifting her into my arms before carrying her inside. I settled her carefully on the couch and began treating her reddened, frostbitten knees with medicine. My worry was written all over my face. "You're such a fool. When they order you to kneel, you actually do it?" I muttered. "It was Grandma's command. What option did I have?" Seraphina gripped my sleeve, tears making her voice shake. "Nate, please divorce her. She's dangerous." My brow creased. "Melanie?" "Yes." Seraphina pressed her lips together. "You want to know why Leo destroyed Grandpa's painting? She manipulated him into it." "Mommy's telling the truth!" Leopold chimed in, still sniffling. "Uncle Nathaniel, Aunt Melanie told me there was an arm-eating monster living in that picture!" "That's impossible," I said, gently stroking Leo's head. "Leo, you must have misunderstood. Aunt Melanie has the gentlest soul in this family. She already said she forgave you, right? She wouldn't frighten you like that. And... Grandpa loved her dearly. She'd never damage his artwork." That final comment was clearly directed at Seraphina. She stared at me in shock. "So you're claiming Leo and I are lying to frame her?" Her voice broke. "Nathaniel! You've become someone else!" The accusation stirred something in me, but when I saw the hurt in her eyes, I pushed down my irritation. "Sera, I haven't changed. This is who I've always been." Seraphina locked eyes with me. "Then prove it. Swear to me that you've never felt anything for Melanie. Swear you've never laid a finger on her." I had always prided myself on my honesty with her. But confronted with this question, the words stuck in my throat. "I've never laid a finger on her." I owed Melanie an apology. —— Melanie's POV "I've never laid a finger on her." I caught those words as I descended the stairs, one hand braced against my aching lower back, the other clutching the gift box. He said it without a moment's hesitation or trace of shame. A bitter smile crossed my lips as I approached them. "Nate, Mrs. Vane wanted to know if you're available for the Vane family gathering tomorrow evening." Rosalind Rowley—Mrs. Vane—had been close friends with my parents. She'd taken me in after their fatal accident. To everyone who mattered, I was practically family to the Vanes. Even after joining the Kensington household through marriage, the business connections between our families stayed solid. Upon hearing my question, Nathaniel—perhaps still wrestling with guilt—immediately nodded. "Absolutely. I'll pick you up tomorrow evening. We'll attend together." "Perfect." I glanced at the box in my hands, then at the mother and child beside him. Without another word, I turned to go. Gabrielle had scored a major victory in court today and wanted to celebrate with shopping. But after hearing about my injured foot, we'd switched to dinner plans instead. "Mel," Nathaniel called out suddenly, almost instinctively. "What's in the box?" I pivoted back, holding up the wrapped gift. "A present." "A present? For whose birthday?" "Our wedding anniversary. I planned to give it to you." "Mel, I'm so sorry..." I met his eyes with my usual calm, gentle expression and extended the box toward him. "It's okay. You've had a lot on your plate. Completely understandable that it slipped your mind." I offered him a sweet smile. "Besides, your birthday's coming up soon. Think of this as an early celebration. Happy early birthday, Nate." And happy divorce to me, I thought silently.

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Could one slap really destroy a marriage? That night, the red welt on Nathaniel's cheek had been impossible to miss. He'd protected Seraphina so brazenly that even the Kensington family had been shocked. Only I hadn't even blinked.