Chapter 4

Sera Hayes' POV

Eight days left until I leave.

To appease Lana, Ethan hosted a small banquet at the city's most luxurious club, inviting only his closest friends.

Before we left, Ethan handed me a designer gown. "Sera, you'll accompany me tonight."

My hand, which was organizing design sketches, paused. I looked up at him. "In what capacity? Your secret wife, or Ms. Bellweather's accessory?"

Ethan's face stiffened, then softened. "Sera, don't make a scene. Tonight, only my friends are coming, and they all know about Lana's condition. You'll attend as my executive assistant, to help me look after Lana, just in case anything happens to her. I feel more at ease with you by my side."

Disguising his wife as an assistant to cater to his publicly engaged fiancée. Ethan's shamelessness continued to push the boundaries of my understanding.

"Fine," I said. I didn't refuse. I took the dress and walked into the dressing room.

The banquet hall was dimly lit and luxuriously decorated.

Lana, in a red gown, leaned against Ethan, like a princess. People around raised their glasses, offering her congratulations.

"Mr. Knight, your patience has finally paid off! Ms. Bellweather is awake, and you two can finally walk down the aisle!"

"Exactly, Mr. Knight has been so faithful these past five years, never a single other woman by his side. Ms. Bellweather, you really need to make it up to him!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

I stood quietly in the corner, wearing a modest black business suit, like a ghost. I listened to those ridiculous blessings, watching Ethan with a faint smile on his lips, not refuting a single word.

Faithful? Then what was I, who slept in the same bed with him every night for three years?

"Hey, who's this?" A slightly tipsy guest suddenly noticed me in the corner, his gaze dismissive. "Mr. Knight, your new assistant? Quite pretty, but she doesn't seem to know any manners. Shouldn't she be pouring wine?"

The private room instantly fell silent. A few people here knew about my existence; they knew Ethan kept a mistress, but not a single one of them thought I was important. In their eyes, I was just a gold-digger, and now that Lana was back, I naturally had to leave.

Ethan's brows furrowed. He was about to speak, but Lana quickly grabbed his hand.

"Ms. Hayes isn't just any assistant, she's Ethan's wonderful helper," Lana said, smiling sweetly at me. "Ms. Hayes, Ethan's glass is empty. Would you mind pouring him some wine?"

This was blatant humiliation.

Ethan looked at me. He seemed a little hesitant, but he didn't stop her. He probably thought that if I could endure it, once Lana was well, he would compensate me doubly.

"Sera, pour the wine," Ethan said blandly.

I lowered my gaze, concealing the mockery in my eyes. I walked over, picked up the decanter from the table, went to Ethan's side, and slightly bent to pour the wine.

Just then, the guest beside me suddenly extended his foot and tripped me.

Caught off guard, my body lurched forward. With a crash, the decanter smashed onto the table, sending broken glass scattering everywhere. Red wine splashed all over me, and a few drops splattered onto Lana's gown.

"Ah!" Lana shrieked, clutching her chest, her face instantly turning pale. She gasped for breath.

Ethan shot up, not even glancing at me, who had fallen onto the broken glass. He immediately pulled Lana into his arms, anxiously patting her back. "Lana! Lana, are you okay? Where's your medicine? Quick, get her medicine!"

The scene became chaotic.

I sat on the floor, my palm pressed onto the broken glass. Blood instantly gushed out, staining the carpet. A searing pain shot through me, but I felt nothing, just quietly watched Ethan frantically embracing another woman.

This was the man I had loved for three years.

"Are you alright?"

A gentle voice suddenly spoke above me.

I looked up and saw Caleb Reid, who had entered the room at some point. He wore a well-tailored gray suit, his brows furrowed, his eyes filled with concern.

Caleb crouched down, carefully avoiding the broken glass on the floor, and gently took my bleeding hand, quickly pressing a clean handkerchief onto the wound.

"Caleb..." I was stunned.

"I'm here to pick you up," Caleb's voice was not loud, but clear enough for everyone in the room to hear. He scooped me up from the floor, then coldly swept his gaze over the chaotic crowd, finally landing on Ethan.

Ethan, who was feeding Lana her medicine, turned his head at the sound and was visibly shocked to see Caleb holding me.

"Caleb, what are you doing? Put her down!" Ethan's voice was laced with suppressed fury.

Caleb scoffed. "Mr. Knight is so busy taking care of his fiancée, he can't even see his assistant is injured. Since you can't take care of her, I'll take her away."

With that, Caleb held me and started to walk out of the room.

Seeing this, Ethan quickly rose and grabbed my wrist.

"What right do you have to take her?!" Ethan's voice was full of anger.

Before I could speak, I heard Lana behind Ethan begin to cry. "Ethan, my heart hurts so much... what should I do... am I going to die..."

Ethan's grip on my wrist loosened.

He quickly turned back to the frail Lana.

Watching this scene, I finally let out a low laugh.

"Let's go, Dr. Reid."

He chose someone else over me, again.

I should be used to it by now, shouldn't I?