Mistook His Redemption for Truth

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I dated Adrian Hunt for four years. The moment I discovered he had cheated, I broke up with him without hesitation.

But Adrian, in an attempt to win me back, knelt outside my apartment building for a full day and night, regardless of his status.

After that, He even publicly announced that he would transfer all his shares into my name. He said that if he ever betrayed me again, he would be left with nothing.

A year later, I was finally moved by him and agreed to get back together.

On our wedding day, under the fireworks, he kissed me and said, Seraphina, you are my life. From now on, I will never let you go again.

I believed him.

Until this charity gala night, when he brought me as his wifeand during the auction segment, I saw a girl in a white dress.

She was brought onto the stage by the host as a special item, being sold for her virginity.

At just one glance, Adrians expression changed.

Without hesitation, he immediately spent a sky-high price to buy her first night.

Seraphina POV

I'd been dating Adrian Hunt for four years. The moment I discovered his affair, I broke up with him without hesitation.

On the first day after our breakup fight, Adrian knelt outside my apartment building for a full day and night trying to win me back, regardless of his status. I turned a blind eye.

One week after the breakup, Adrian personally made my favorite strawberry mousse. I didn't even look at it before feeding it to the dog.

One month after the breakup, Adrian won the bid for my favorite antique piano at auction. I immediately donated it to an orphanage.

After that, Adrian even publicly announced he was transferring all his shares to my name. He said if he ever let me down again, he'd be left with nothing.

A year later, I was finally moved by him and agreed to get back together.

On our wedding day, Adrian rented out every billboard in the city, displaying our photos on a loop and announcing our wedding of the century in the most high-profile way possible.

He kissed me under the fireworks and said, "Everything I have is yours now, Seraphina. You're my life. From now on, I'll never let you go."

In that moment, I truly believed he would love me like his own life and never betray me again.

Until the charity gala that evening. Adrian brought me as his date, but during the auction segment, he spotted a girl in a white dress with a pale face.

She was invited on stage by the host as a "special auction item"dinner with the highest bidder.

With just one glance, Adrian's expression changed completely.

"Ten million."

"Twenty million."

"Fifty million."

The gavel rose and fell.

Adrian's bids grew more insane with each raise. Every time he lifted his paddle, it was with absolute determination to win.

The numbers climbed to absurd heights. Even the auctioneer started sweating.

"One hundred million! Sold!"

With the final strike of the gavel, Adrian won the "dinner date" at an astronomical price.

The entire venue was shocked.

Before the applause even died down, Adrian had already strode onto the stage. Under everyone's gaze, he removed his suit jacket and draped it over the girl's trembling shoulders.

"Mr. Hunt?" The host approached in surprise.

Adrian ignored him, grabbing the girl's wrist. His voice was low. "What are you doing here? Do you know what this dinner date really means?"

"I..." Tears immediately filled the girl's eyes. She looked pitiful. "I need money. They said if someone bid on my dinner date, they'd give me ten percent of the auction price. My mom is sick and hospitalized. I need a lot of money. I had no choice..."

Adrian's thumb gently wiped away her tears. The gesture was so tender it was blinding. "How much do you need?"

The girl named a figure.

Without a word, Adrian signed a check and handed it to her.

The host was sharp. He immediately approached Adrian. "Mr. Hunt, what's your relationship with this young lady...?"

"She's my... friend." Adrian said, his eyes never leaving the girl. "Her father saved my life."

I stood frozen in place. The pearl clutch in my hand was about to shatter from my grip.

I recognized this girl.

A year ago, Adrian and I broke up because of her. Her name was Vivian.

Under the host's subtly changing expression, Adrian finally remembered my existence.

"Seraphina, don't misunderstand." He quickly turned and came down from the stage to my side. "Her father died saving me after all. Now her mother is sick and hospitalized and needs money. I can't let her go down the wrong path for money. You know what this dinner date really means."

Those words were like a key, unlocking the floodgates of memory.

A year ago, when I discovered those ambiguous texts on Adrian's phone, he said the exact same thing. "Seraphina, let me explain. Her father died saving me. I'm only taking care of her to repay that debt."

But later, when I caught them in bed together, he explained again. "Seraphina, listen to me. Someone drugged me last night. I thought she was you."

And now, hearing his explanation that was barely different from a year ago, I couldn't help but laugh.

"A year ago, you took meticulous care of her, saying it was to repay a debt. Later, when you were sleeping in the same bed, you said you were drugged and mistook her for me. Now you've spent one hundred million on a dinner date with her, saying you don't want her to go down the wrong path for money." My heart was breaking. My voice trembled. "Adrian, how many more excuses do you have?"

Adrian hadn't expected me to confront him publicly. His face darkened immediately. "Seraphina, that's enough. Don't make a scene here."

"A scene?" I laughed, but my eyes grew redder. "Adrian, am I the one making a scene?"

Vivian tugged at his sleeve from behind him. Her voice was small. "Mr. Hunt, please don't fight with Seraphina because of me..."

Adrian stepped forward, shielding her behind him. His gaze fell on me. "Whatever you want to say, we'll discuss it at home."

I watched Adrian protect another woman and found the whole situation absurdly laughable. "Adrian, do you remember what you said to me before?"

He said he would completely cut ties with Vivian and never betray me for another woman again.

Adrian's expression flickered. He was about to speak, but I had already turned to leave.

"Seraphina!" He called after me.

I didn't turn back. I just walked quickly away from the suffocating gala.

Seraphina POV

After leaving the charity auction, I drove aimlessly. By the time I came to my senses, I'd stopped by a lake near a university.

The lake surface rippled with fragmented silver light under the moon. This was where Adrian and I had our first date, our first time holding hands, our first kiss.

Adrian and I first met at a party.

At the time, I'd refused the persistent advances of a wealthy man in our circle. He'd publicly thrown a drink on me and verbally humiliated me.

Everyone knew I was the adopted daughter of the Palmer family. With the return of their biological daughter, I was no longer favored.

When no one would speak up for me, Adrian stepped forward. He punched the wealthy man to the ground and forcefully made him apologize to me.

From that moment on, I couldn't control my feelings for him.

Adrian liked me too. He pursued me actively.

After we got together, he treated me so well. All my friends envied me.

If only there hadn't been Vivian...

Vivian appeared two years ago.

Adrian said that when he was a teenager, he was targeted by his family's enemies. Vivian's father had taken a fatal knife wound for him. He owed the Whitmore family a life, so he had to take responsibility for caring for her.

At the time, I thought repaying kindness was the right thing to do.

But later, Adrian started frequently taking Vivian's calls, even during our dates.

He remembered all of Vivian's preferences. He knew she was allergic to mangoes, knew she was afraid of the dark, would take meticulous care of her during her period.

"Her father died for me," Adrian would explain whenever I showed the slightest unease. "Seraphina, I have to repay this debt."

Back then, I was foolish enough to believe that Adrian's special treatment of Vivian was purely because she was his savior's daughter. Despite my discomfort, I endured it.

Until a year ago, when I saw Vivian wearing my pajamas, running out of Adrian's bedroom. Adrian still made excuses, saying he'd been drugged and mistook Vivian for me.

I thought that after that, I'd never cry for Adrian again.

But now, the tears still wouldn't stop.

My phone vibrated repeatedly in my bag. All calls from Adrian.

I didn't answer. Finally, I just turned it off.

At one in the morning, I finally returned to the villa.

The enormous house was empty. The festive wedding decorations hadn't been removed yet. The bright flowers now looked particularly harsh.

I showered, buried myself under the covers, and fell into an exhausted sleep.

The next morning, I was woken by my phone ringing.

I groggily answered. Before I could speak, my friend Lillian's urgent voice exploded through the line. "Seraphina! Have you seen the news? Look now! Right now!"

"What news..." My voice was hoarse.

"Adrian and that Vivian! Their story is all over social media!"

I was instantly awake.

I hung up and opened Twitter.

I didn't need to search. The top trending topic was #Hunt Corporation CEO Pays Fortune For Mysterious Woman's Dinner Date#.

I clicked in. There were nine photos.

The first three were from last night's charity auction. The rest were candid shots from various angles.

In the photos, Adrian and Vivian were having dinner at an upscale restaurant. Afterward, they left the restaurant together and got into Adrian's car.

The car stopped in front of a five-star hotel. Adrian and Vivian walked in side by side, eventually entering a hotel suite together.

The caption was ambiguous and detailed.

[Hunt Corporation CEO Adrian Hunt paid one hundred million for mysterious woman Vivian Whitmore's "dinner date." After a romantic dinner, the two entered a hotel together and haven't left as of this morning. Sources say Adrian recently married his wife Seraphina Palmer in a high-profile wedding of the century...]

The comments had exploded.

"Holy shit! One hundred million! Just for dinner? Who believes that! This obviously has deeper meaning!"

"This Vivian is really something. She can make Mr. Hunt spend that much money and abandon his newlywed wife on the spot."

"Adrian is so handsome. Spending so much money just for Vivian's smile. Their relationship is so touching!"

"Am I the only one who feels sorry for the wife? She was there last night, right? Watching her husband bid insanely for another womanwhat kind of hellish scene is that? Their wedding billboards are still up..."

Seraphina POV

When Adrian came home, I was sitting in the dining room eating breakfast.

My expression was blank. On the tablet to my left was the entertainment news about him and Vivian.

"Seraphina, this is all false reporting. Don't believe what these journalists make up." A flash of panic crossed his eyes. He stepped forward quickly. "Last night, Vivian was too upset about her mother's illness. I took her out to eat. She got drunk, so I had to send her to a hotel."

I forced down my nausea, eating my fried egg while smiling coldly. "You sent her to the hotel, but forgot to leave yourself? You spent the night at the hotel with her?"

Adrian's expression stiffened. I saw guilt flash across his face. "She kept crying last night. Crying and vomiting. I had no choice but to stay and take care of her. But I really didn't touch her. Nothing happened between us."

My gaze fell on the fresh hickey barely visible beneath his collar. I felt sick.

"Adrian," I put down my fork and closed my eyes. "Send her away. Send her back to her own home, or to another city, or abroadanywhere. I don't want to see her again."

He was silent for a few seconds. Impatience flickered across his features. "Her mother is her only family. Her mother is seriously ill and needs surgery. Sending her away nowhow is that different from forcing her to her death?"

"Then let's divorce." I looked up. "Since you can't bear to send her away, let's divorce."

"Seraphina, the same trick doesn't work twice." Adrian's eyes grew darker. "The first time you threatened to break up, I was willing to humor you and let you throw your tantrum. But we're married now. Do you think the position of Mrs. Hunt is something you can take or leave as you please?"

His tall figure loomed over me with oppressive pressure. His tone was ice cold. "The Palmer family raised you for years. They won't hesitate to seek returns. Without me, you're nothing but a bargaining chip for the Palmers to trade for benefits. They can marry you off to anyone at any time."

Those words were like blades, stabbing straight into my heart.

"Wake up. Stop threatening divorce at every turn. Because this time, I might not humor you." After saying that, he announced, "Vivian needs money. She needs a job. Starting tomorrow, she'll join the company as my personal assistant."

My last shred of rationality completely collapsed. I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

"Adrian, you're disgusting."

He turned his face to the side, running his tongue over his cheek. When he turned back, his eyes were frozen.

"Looks like we both need to cool down. I'll stay at the office for the next few days. I won't be coming back."

With those words, he turned and left without hesitation.

My chest felt like someone had brutally carved out a gaping wound.

I suddenly laughed softly, my laughter full of mockery.

After a moment, I picked up my phone from the dining table and dialed a number. "Prepare a divorce agreement for me. I want a divorce."

For several days straight, Adrian didn't come home.

But an unfamiliar number I didn't recognize sent me various photos almost daily.

In the photos, Adrian brought Vivian to yacht parties, accompanied Vivian to the hospital to visit her seriously ill mother, and at business receptions, wrapped his arm around her waist while introducing her to everyone.

Unable to bear it any longer, I drove directly to Hunt Corporation. Ignoring the receptionist's attempts to stop me, I swiped my card and entered the CEO's private elevator.

In the office area, Vivian was talking with someone.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up. "Mrs. Hunt?"

I didn't pause. I walked up to her and slapped her across the face.

The crisp sound exploded in the silent air.

"Miss Whitmore, if Adrian wants to repay his debt and keep you by his side, I have nothing to say." My voice was cold. "But we both know what you're really after. As long as I haven't signed divorce papers, you're nothing but a mistress."

Vivian covered her rapidly swelling cheek. Tears welled in her eyes. "Mrs. Hunt, you've misunderstood me. I really haven't..."

"Seraphina!"

Seraphina POV

Adrian's voice came from the end of the corridor.

He strode over quickly, pulled Vivian behind him, completely shielding her with his body. His gaze shot toward me like a sword.

"Seraphina, you've been Mrs. Hunt for what, a few days, and you're already bullying people?" His eyes were full of suppressed fury. "Do I need to remind you what happened at that party years ago? How someone publicly threw a drink on you and said those terrible things?"

My face went deathly pale. Something gripped my heart violently.

That partyhe'd been the one who stepped up for me, forcing that wealthy man to apologize by stepping on him.

But now, this same person who'd pulled me out of humiliation was personally dredging up my most shameful past and spreading it out in front of everyone.

Adrian's tone was harsh. "It seems I've spoiled you too much all these years, making you forget that you're just the Palmer family's adopted daughter who's fallen out of favor. You've experienced plenty of bullying and humiliation yourself."

"Go home." His command was absolute. "I'll deal with you when we get home."

I couldn't believe it. I pointed at Vivian behind him. "You're going to make me suffer for this woman?"

"I just want you to understanddon't forget what you've been through. Don't think that just because you're Mrs. Hunt now, you can abuse your power."

Beside us, Vivian tugged at his sleeve, her voice weak and uncertain. "Mr. Hunt, forget it. The punishment you're giving her is too severe. Please don't fight with Mrs. Hunt because of me. I'm fine now... see, my face doesn't even hurt anymore."

On her pale face, the five-finger mark was vivid. Adrian must already be heartbroken.

"She must receive this punishment." He looked back at me with dark, sinister eyes. "As Mrs. Hunt, you should be magnanimous and gracious, not running to the office like a madwoman to hit people."

I'm like a madwoman?

I was so shocked I almost laughed.

I pressed my lips together coldly. "What if I refuse this punishment?"

His voice was harsh. "Seraphina, I'm not asking you. I'm telling you."

The atmosphere froze.

Just as we were at an impasse, suddenly Vivian let out a weak moan. Her body swayed and she collapsed backward.

"Vivian!"

Adrian's expression changed. He reached out to catch her.

Vivian lay unconscious in his arms.

Adrian lifted her in his arms. When he looked at me again, his eyes were filled with uncontrollable fury. "You'd better pray nothing's wrong with her. Otherwise, I won't forgive you."

He didn't spare me another glance. Carrying Vivian, he strode quickly toward the elevator.

I stood there, feeling everyone's stares. My heart felt like someone had twisted a knife in it several times. The last bit of light in my eyes went out.

I took the elevator down. The moment I walked out of the company entrance, two bodyguards in black suits grabbed me from both sides.

"Mrs. Hunt, we apologize. Mr. Hunt has instructed us to take you home for punishment."

I struggled, but it was useless.

I was shoved into a car. The car drove toward the suburbs, finally stopping in front of the Hunt family villa.

The bodyguards pulled me out of the car and dragged me to the gravel area in front of the villa.

"Kneel, Mrs. Hunt."

I straightened my spine stubbornly. "I did nothing wrong. I won't kneel!"

The two bodyguards exchanged glances. Then one of them kicked directly at the back of my knee.

Caught off guard, my legs gave way and I fell heavily onto the gravel-covered ground.

Excruciating pain immediately shot through my knees.

I screamed, gasping. Cold sweat instantly beaded on my forehead.

I struggled to get up, but the two bodyguards pressed firmly on my shoulders, forcing me back down. "Mr. Hunt has ordered that you must kneel for a full twenty-four hours. You're not allowed to get up."

His punishment for me was to kneel on the villa's gravel for a full twenty-four hours of repentance before it would be over.

But on our wedding night, Adrian had held me in his arms and said he'd never let me suffer in this lifetime.

Adrian, your words truly can't be trusted at all.

But I'd been too foolish before. I'd believed him again and again.

Seraphina POV

After dark, Adrian came to the villa. His tall figure stood before me, looking down at me from above.

"Vivian woke up." His face was cold as a frozen pond. "The doctor diagnosed her with a mild concussion and post-traumatic stress disorder."

I'd been kneeling until both my knees hurt terribly. Blood had seeped through my knees, staining the gravel beneath them red.

My vision kept going black. Cold sweat had long since soaked my hair.

But he showed no sympathy. He just looked at me. "I know you're very dissatisfied with her, but no matter how dissatisfied you are, you shouldn't have gone to the office to hit her."

I finally raised my eyelids. "Don't you know exactly why I hit her?"

If he hadn't brought Vivian to those places, if Vivian hadn't used an unknown number to send me those provocative photos, if they hadn't treated mehis wifewith such disregard, would I have struck her?

My eyes reddened. My throat felt tight and choked. "Adrian, I have no problem with you repaying your debt. But you slept with her. Don't you find that laughable? If you want to repay your debt, why does it have to be by trampling on my feelings and our marriage?"

"I told you, a year ago with herwe were drugged. It was an accident. I didn't lie to you."

"What about now? Her mother is seriously ill and needs money. You've already given her a check. Why do you still need to keep her by your side?"

His voice was low and hoarse. "Because that night a year ago, she got pregnant with my child."

My breathing stopped for an instant.

"Back then, you were threatening to break up with me. To get you back, I had no choice but to cut ties with her."

Adrian's voice carried a pain I'd never heard before.

He said, "While I was kneeling to beg you to come back, while I was personally making the cake you love, while I was announcing to reporters that I was transferring my shares to you and publicly winning you backduring all that time, she was alone, caring for her sick mother while constantly working to earn money. Eventually, from overwork, she miscarried the baby and fell into depression for a long time."

In this moment, he felt like a complete stranger.

I moved my lips. My voice was hoarse. "What are you trying to saythat her miscarriage and depression are my fault?"

"If you hadn't insisted on breaking up, I wouldn't have ignored her and cut ties with her. She wouldn't have..." He stopped, looking at me deeply. "I owe the Whitmore family a life. And you caused her to lose a child."

He said, "Seraphina, you're the one who wronged her."

Absurd.

This was the most absurd, laughable thing I'd ever heard.

"Kneel here properly. After you complete the full twenty-four hours, I'll come pick you up." Before Adrian turned to leave, he coldly instructed the bodyguards nearby. "Watch her."

"Yes, sir."

In that moment, I couldn't tell which hurt moremy knees or my heart.

I was forced to kneel in front of the villa for a long time, the bodyguards pressing down on my shoulders.

Around midnight, thunder suddenly crashed and lightning flashed. Strong winds rose and a torrential downpour fell.

The two bodyguards opened umbrellas, but didn't shield me.

I knelt on the gravel. The blood from my knees wouldn't stop flowing. I was forced to endure the rainstorm all night.

Whenever I was about to collapse and my body swayed, the bodyguards would press firmly on my shoulders, forcing me to correct my posture.

At dawn, the alternating sensations of cold and heat throughout my body finally became unbearable. I lost consciousness and collapsed to the side.

When I woke again, it was to the smell of disinfectant.

I opened my heavy eyelids to the white ceiling of a hospital.

An IV drip was attached to the back of my hand.

"You're awake."

Adrian's voice came from beside the bed.

I turned my head and saw him sitting there. His eyes were bloodshot, a shadow of stubble on his chin.

"You had a fever of 104 degrees. Why didn't you tell the bodyguards you were sick? The doctor said if you'd come any later..."

He reached out to touch my face, but I avoided it. "Don't touch me."

Adrian froze. He withdrew his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose wearily. "Seraphina, stop making trouble from now on, okay? We already owe Vivian too much."

His appearance made me feel sick.

My throat was dry and hoarse. My laugh was desolate. "Adrian, you're the one who owes her. Not me."

Seraphina POV

I continued mockingly, "Since you feel you owe Vivian so much, let's divorce and you can marry her."

Adrian's expression instantly darkened. "Must you keep causing trouble like this? Vivian just wants a job to live properly and earn money to care for her sick mother. I simply gave her a job. Why do you hate her so much?"

"I don't hate her," I said expressionlessly. "As long as you sign divorce papers with me right now, I don't care what you do with her. It doesn't matter to me."

Adrian's pupils contracted sharply, as if this statement had struck a nerve.

He suddenly leaned forward, hands braced on either side of my body, trapping me between the hospital bed and his chest. "Seraphina, between us, it's always breaking up or divorce. Have you ever actually loved me?"

This question almost made me laugh out loud.

He was actually asking if I'd ever loved him?

"Let me tell you, Seraphinadivorce? Don't even think about it." Adrian gritted his teeth. "In this lifetime, even in death, you can only be Mrs. Hunt!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his phone rang in his pocket.

Adrian frowned, pulled out his phone and glanced at the screen. It was Vivian calling.

He hesitated, but still answered in front of me.

The moment the call connected, Vivian's panicked voice came through. "Is this the police? I'm... I'm being harassed. I'm so scared..."

"Vivian?" Adrian's expression darkened. "It's me. Who's harassing you?"

The other end went quiet for a second. Then came Vivian's tearful, startled voice. "Mr. Hunt? I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was too scared. I called the wrong number..."

"Tell me, who's harassing you? Where are you now?" Adrian's tone grew urgent.

"I'm... I'm at Golden Moon Club... for the company's South District project... but Mr. Watson was touching me inappropriately..."

Vivian's voice was broken and intermittent, mixed with sobs.

"Don't be afraid. I'm on my way!"

Before Vivian could finish, Adrian had already hung up. He didn't even look at me again. He turned and strode quickly out of the hospital room, his entire body tense with anxiety.

I watched his retreating back. The warmth in my eyes disappeared completely.

This marriageno matter what, I had to end it.

I stayed in the hospital for several days. During that time, Adrian didn't appear again.

But that unknown number kept persistently sending messages.

[Do you know? Ever since I told him a client harassed me that day, he not only taught that person a lesson but also canceled the cooperation with them. He's even worried I'll be harassed again, so now he personally drives me to and from work every day.]

After my fever completely broke and the wounds on my knees began to scab over, I checked myself out of the hospital and finally replied to that unknown number.

[If you want what you're after, meet me at the caf near Hunt Corporation in one hour.]

One hour later, at the caf.

When I arrived, Vivian was already sitting there.

I sat across from her, ordered a glass of water, then pushed a thick manila envelope across the table toward her.

Vivian looked at me. "What's this...?"

"My divorce agreement with Adrian."

At those words, surprise mixed with a hint of secret joy flashed in Vivian's eyes.

But then she looked confused. "What do you mean by this?"

I said coldly, "Don't you want to be Mrs. Hunt? I'm divorcing Adrian. I'm giving you a chance."

Vivian hastily put on an aggrieved expression. "Mrs. Hunt, you've really misunderstood me. Mr. Hunt and I..."

"Enough, Vivian. There are only the two of us here. You don't need to perform for me." My eyes were cold. "You've found every way to cling to Adrian's side. We both know what you're really after."

Vivian looked me over, suspicious. "How do I know you're not recording this?"

Worthy of being the woman who'd manipulated Adrianher vigilance was strong enough.

"Don't worry. If I wanted to do that, I wouldn't have waited until now." My expression was blank. "A man who's been physically and emotionally unfaithful isn't worth me exhausting myself to keep by my side."

Vivian studied me skeptically, saying nothing.

I continued, "I've mentioned divorce to him. He refuses. If you want what you're after, make him sign this divorce agreement."

I'd prepared this divorce agreement long ago, but I could never find an opportunity to get Adrian to sign it.

Adrian wouldn't agree to divorce me. I had no choice but to come to Vivian.

I'd thought Vivian would readily agree.

Vivian scoffed mockingly. "Don't be ridiculous. He transferred most of his shares to you. If you divorce, he'd essentially be leaving with nothing. I'm not that stupid. I won't make him sign something like this."