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“Here, let me help you,” Draven said, offering his arm. “That’s it. See, I’m a good boy. You should’ve married me instead of him,” he shot me a mocking look.

God, I wanted to kill him so bad.

“Keep that bullshit up, D, and my next bullet’s for your dick,” I growled.

Without sparing a glance for me, Serenity let Draven lead her to the chopper. Krash and Kalash helped her get in, and I brought up the rear. Before we took off, we blew the cottage with all the bodies inside, then got out of there fast.

In the chopper, Krash wrapped my hand to slow the bleeding. I didn’t take my eyes off Serenity. She looked lost, staring out as we flew back home. I knew better than to piss her off more. We’d talk at the Korven estate since I was obviously moving back in with her. I was never gonna leave her side again. Almost losing her today reminded me how short life was and I’d wasted enough time. From now on, I’d spend every breath making it upto her.

A few hours later, we landed at the Korven estate. Night had already fallen.

Valery was waiting at the door and rushed to Serenity as soon as she saw her step out of the helicopter.

“Oh my God. Thank God you’re alive. Serenity, don’t ever scare me like that again,” she sobbed, crushing Serenity in a hug. “I was so scared. What did they do to you?” she asked, pulling back to check her face.

Her hand hovered over Serenity’s bruised skin. Remembering what Eleana and Seylan did to her, I wanted to go back and kill them all over again. If only I’d handled them sooner, none of this would’ve happened.

“Are you okay?” Valery asked again.

“Yes, Valery. I’m good. Please pack our things. We are leaving the Korven estate immediately.”

“Whoa, wait, what? You’re going nowhere,” I said, stepping in.

Serenity turned to face me, her eyes sharp with anger.

“I’m not spending even a second in the house of a lying piece of shit like you. We’re getting that fucking divorce, and I’m heading back to the Veylor Estate. Valery, grab our things.”

Valery glanced at her, realized she was serious, and nodded. “Sure. As you wish.”

“Listen, Serenity. Baby—”

“Don’t fucking‘baby’me. You have no right to call me that or any other name. We’renothingto each other. And I’m leaving this mansion right fucking now. Unless you want this to get even uglier, I suggest you stay out of my way,Knox.”

Her voice cut deep and I stood frozen as I watched her walk away, feeling my heart break a little more.

“Fuck, Serenity, wait—”

I tried to follow her, but Krash stopped me, grabbing my arm. I turned to face him. Draven, Kalash, and Kusch were there too,all witnessing the spectacular way I was losing my wife.

Great. Fucking awesome.Bien joué, Konflict!

“Just chill, man,” Krash said. “She needs time. That’s a lot of shit for one day. She got snatched, then found out her husband was using a secret identify to fuck her. That’s a hell of a mindfuck.”

“Yeah bro, you just have to give her some space. If she wants to go back to her family’s place, let her. She needs to chill out. Pushing her right now is just gonna make things worse,” Draven said, trying to be serious. Then he switched back to his usual unseriousness. “Not bad, eh? Pretty solid relationship advice from a single guy. You always say I’m not ready for marriage, K, but look at me now. I’d make a wicked husband.”

“D, please spare the poor girl who ends up with you. You’re a real asshole,” I answered, letting his joke loosen the tightness in my chest, because they were right. I needed to let her go tonight.

“Man, I’d still be a better husband than you. For one, I wouldn’t threaten my wife, and I’d fuck her every day in our own bed, not in a brothel behind a mask.”

“Fuck you, D,” I said, turning to Kalash and Kusch.

“Send some guys to the Veylor estate. My wife’s not sleeping there unprotected,” I ordered as I headed inside. “Krash, get Dr. Kalvin over here. Serenity needs to see him, and my hand needs checking. Then we’ll go over everything that happened tonight. There’s some bullshit going on I don’t like. Someone’s due for a visit soon.”

I disappeared into the mansion, heading to a bedroom I hadn’t used in ages. It felt like I hadn’t been here in forever. Everything in this house reminded me of Serenity. The decor, the colors, the art, the furniture—every detail was her. I’d noticed it before, those rare times I came home this past year, but standing here now, it really hit me. She had a gift for making a place hers. And I was lucky to have her—if she’d ever want me again. Either way,I wasn’t giving up, not now. Even if she wanted a divorce today, I’d fight forus.

Two days after the incident with the Sawyer’s, I went to Marquette’s place because I needed answers.

“Konflict, what a pleasure to see you this morning,” Maureen greeted as Krash and I arrived to see Judge Marquette.