Love Lost in the Maze, Never Returning

After Adam Croft left me at the altar for a scholarship student, his father froze all his assets and blacklisted him from every major corporation.
The golden boy of the Croft empire became a pauper. In less than six months, the scholarship student was in bed with a rich old man.
Adam, broken and gravely ill, came back home to marry me. He reverted to the cold, ruthless heir he was always meant to be.
For ten years, we maintained a marriage of polite distance, a model couple in the eyes of society.
I believed the rest of our lives would be a smooth road to happiness.
Until the day I found ten love letters Adam had written to Serena Vance, hidden in our safe.
The first letter began: Even if youre a bad woman, Im all in.
The last one ended: If I die before you, all my money is yours.
It turned out that throughout our entire marriage, he had been steadfastly in love with another woman.
That night, I scheduled an abortion.

1
Are you certain you want to terminate this pregnancy?
Dr. Evans held my hand, her gaze falling on the skin riddled with tiny needle marks. Her voice was full of pity.
For years, I had desperately wanted a child with Adam. The mountain of empty medicine bottles and used syringes in my bathroom could attest to that.
I signed the consent form and lay down on the cold steel of the operating table.
My mind drifted back to the rainy night ten years ago when Adam came home.
He was drenched and burning with a high fever, muttering deliriously, Dont leave me please, dont leave.
I held him in my arms all night, patting his back and singing soft lullabies as if he were a child.
When he woke up the next morning, we went to the courthouse and got married.
He even gave me the wedding hed denied me. A spectacular, city-stopping event that silenced all the gossip.
I went from being the laughingstock of high society to the object of everyones envy.
A girl who had been abandoned once thought her years of secret adoration had finally paid off.
It was nothing but a delusion, born from a desperate need to be loved.
Just as the surgical instrument was about to touch me, the baby kicked.
Tears streamed down my face. I sat up, stopping the procedure.
When I got home, Adam was in his study, working late as usual.
He sat perfectly upright, meticulously reviewing documents, the top button of his suit still fastened.
Who would have guessed that this man, as cold and unyielding as a glacier, would resort to something as clich as writing letters to pour out his longing for a girl?
I walked over silently and slid the divorce papers in front of him.
A flicker of disbelief crossed Adams eyes.
Is this because I didnt go with you to the prenatal appointment today?
He had no idea Id almost ended the pregnancy.
I smiled, a sharp pain lancing through my heart.
Yes. Thats exactly why.
The man tore the papers to shreds without a change in expression and offered me a black credit card.
Ive been busy. If youre going to throw a tantrum, pick a better time.
I didnt take it. I looked him straight in the eye.
Serena Vance is divorced and back in the country. Did you know?
A flicker of something unnatural crossed his brow. No. And I dont care.
How could he not know?
He was the one who hired her divorce lawyer. He was the one who personally met her at the airport.
He did it on our wedding anniversary.
I threw my phone down in front of him.
The screen showed a gossip article titled, Croft CEO Rekindles Old Flame. The comment section was exploding.

2
GRANDMA, THE SHIP YOUVE BEEN PRAYING FOR HAS SAILED AGAIN!
Ten years ago, he chose love over his empire. Ten years later, he hears shes unhappy, hires a top international lawyer to handle her divorce, and personally escorts her home. Adam Croft is still the same knight in shining armor, charging into battle for love.
I hear the current Mrs. Croft is the one who broke them up in the first place. Can the homewrecker just die already!

Thousands of comments were still flooding in.
Everyone was celebrating their epic, class-defying love story, while I, the lawfully wedded wife, was being painted as the villain who stood in their way.
I gave a weak, tired laugh.
Mr. Croft, dont you have anything youd like to explain?
Adam was silent for a long time before finally speaking, his voice heavy.
Serena was being abused by her husband. She called me for help. We knew each other once, so I helped her out. Thats all.
He looked at me, his gaze hardening. This is exactly why I didnt tell you. I knew youd overthink it.
Such a perfect, unimpeachable reason.
My smile felt uglier than a grimace. A gaping wound had opened in my chest.
Just then, his phone rang. It was a ringtone Id never heard before.
Adam answered it instantly.
A few seconds later, he grabbed his car keys from the desk and headed for the door, so rushed he didnt even offer a single word of explanation.
It had always been like this.
Adam Croft never needed to explain his actions to Clara Moon.
Not even when he was running off to meet the ex-girlfriend he had dated for seven years.
A few hours later, Adam called me.
Get the guest room ready. And make some ginger tea and a hot meal. Im bringing Serena home.
I held the phone, my hand trembling with disbelief.
Youre bringing her to our house?
A womans soft sobbing came through the line. Adam, maybe we shouldnt. I dont want to upset your wife.
Adam soothed her, and when he spoke to me again, his voice was laced with impatience.
Her ex-husband just showed up and harassed her. Its not safe for her to be alone. Whats the problem with her staying with us for a while?
Besides, he added coldly, youve always been good at taking care of people. Serena is emotionally fragile right now. Take a leave from work and look after her properly.

3
I was so angry I could barely hold the phone.
You can take care of her yourself. Im done.
I hung up and immediately started packing a suitcase.
When my eyes fell on the wedding photo on our bedside table, the tears Id been holding back finally broke free.
From the moment I could remember, everyone told me I would one day be Adam Crofts wife, the matriarch of the Croft family.
My gaze never strayed from him, the most dazzling man in any room.
I remember in high school, Id secretly watch to see which cafeteria line he chose, and then order the exact same meal, feeling a secret thrill of connection. The first clumsy flutterings of a teenage crush, all because hed once casually handed me his jacket.
For him, I learned to cook, to arrange flowers, to give massages, to master etiquette.
And now, all those skills were meant to be used to serve Serena Vance.
Tears streamed down my face as I pulled the photo from its frame, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it in the trash.
I was dragging my suitcase to the door when it opened. Adam stood there, with Serena cradled in his arms.
The scarf Id spent months knitting for him was now wrapped around her foot.
My numb heart was pierced again.
Adam frowned at me, his voice sharp with disapproval.
We have a guest and youre leaving? Is this how you show hospitality?
Is the room ready? And the food? Go heat it up and bring it here.
Serena struggled to get down, stepping on the scarf as she gave me an apologetic smile.
Im so sorry to bother you, Clara. But would you mind drawing me a foot bath? My feet got muddy when I stepped outside.
Adam carried her to the sofa without so much as a glance in my direction.
Well? Arent you going to get it?
I paused for a moment, then walked to the kitchen, poured a glass of cold water, and walked back and threw it directly in Serenas face.
Ah! she shrieked, recoiling.
Are you insane? Adam roared, staring at me in disbelief.
Youre the one whos insane, I said with a soft, chilling laugh.
Ten years ago, when you were cast out, she left you because you couldnt afford her Chanel bags anymore and ran off with another man.
Serena froze, her eyes burning with venomous hatred for me.
Adams face turned grim.
You were sick, lying in bed calling her name all night, and when you woke up, it was me holding you.
You said you would forget her. You said you would build a good life with me.
Adam Croft, you broke your promise.
I looked him dead in the eye, my voice steady. So, the promises I made to you? Im breaking them, too.
For a split second, he looked like he might grab me, but the sound of sobbing behind him held him back.
It wasnt like that

4
Serena looked at Adam, her eyes welling with tears.
I just didnt want you to sell your plasma to buy me a diamond ring. I didnt want you working on a construction site to pay the rent. I didnt want to see you haggling over pennies at the market.
She choked back a sob. Adam, whether you believe me or not, everything I did, I did it for you.
A violent tremor ran through Adam. A flash of pain crossed his eyes before the mask of indifference slipped back into place.
Whats the point of saying any of this now?
Serena bit her lip, fat tears rolling down her cheeks.
Adam turned his cold gaze on me. What happened between us back then was complicated. We dont need you here stirring up trouble.
The next thing I knew, he had dragged me to the bathroom and slammed my head into the sink, turning on the cold tap full blast.
My feet left the floor as I struggled wildly, splashing water everywhere. But Adam was relentless, holding me down with brutal force. Ice-cold water flooded my senses, my lungs screaming for air.
Just before I blacked out, he let go.
I collapsed to the floor like a rag doll, gasping for breath, the terror of near-drowning shaking my entire body.
He looked down at me, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. For the sake of the child, Ill let this go.
But there wont be a next time, he continued, his tone chilling. If you harm her again, Ill repay you tenfold.
Be the good Mrs. Croft. Dont cross the line.
I slowly pulled myself up, looking at the man Id known since childhood, the man Id loved for over a decade. And I smiled.
As I smiled, my eyes filled with tears again.
I understand.
Thank you, Adam Croft.
Thank you for helping me make up my mind.
He took off his jacket, draped it over his shoulders, and went to comfort Serena.
I stumbled out of the house and made a call.
I need to schedule a D&C. As soon as possible.

5
A day later, I was back on the operating table.
This time, I was calm.
The heart that had beaten for Adam Croft for more than a decade finally fell silent.
After the procedure, I saw I had over a dozen missed calls from Adam.
I hadnt answered any of them.
There were also two texts.
Where did you go? You shouldnt be running around in your condition.
Family dinner tonight. Dont be late.
I scrolled up. Our chat history was a long list of my multi-line messages and voice notes, each met with a single, curt Ok from him.
I smiled faintly and blocked his number.
After speaking with my lawyer, I drove to the Croft family estate.
The dinner was timely. There were a few things that needed to be said.
When I arrived, Serena was already seated in my usual place at the table, laughing and chatting with the other guests.
Adam had actually brought her to a formal family gathering.
I took a seat at the far end of the table, enduring the pitying and mocking glances from around the room. There was a time when no one in this family would have given Serena the time of day. But times had changed. Adam was now the one in charge. So, even though his parents faces were dark with fury, no one dared to ask her to leave.
Serena picked up a cup of tea, walked over to me, and then, with a clumsy oops, spilled the scalding liquid all over my hand.
The back of my hand instantly turned red.
She covered her mouth in mock horror. Oh, Clara, I am so sorry
Adams mother slammed her hand on the table, her voice shaking with rage as she pointed at Serena. Get out of my house!
Mother, accidents happen. Theres no need to get so upset.
Adam had arrived. The room fell silent.
He glanced at my hand, his brow furrowing slightly, and had someone bring over some burn cream for me.
Then he escorted Serena to her seat.
Some watched the drama unfold, some snickered, some mocked my weakness.
I remained silent.
The meal was a tense affair.
Adams mother had me sit beside her, holding my hand. My dear girl, take good care of yourself. We need a healthy grandson soon.
A rare warmth flickered in Adams eyes. He put his arm around me, his voice gentle.
We havent had the right time to announce it, but Clara is eight weeks pregnant.
He smiled at the room. The Croft family will soon have an heir.
Gasps of surprise filled the room. Adams mother was overjoyed.
Serenas face went white, her body swaying.
I pushed Adams arm off me.
He froze.
Then, I spoke, my voice quiet but clear.
Im sorry, but your heir I got rid of him this afternoon.

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