6

Luke’s POV (A few days later)

I pulled up to Serena’s mansion again after another long day, my mansion feeling more like a trap than a home these days. Bella’s texts and missed calls sat unread on my phone.

Every time I thought about responding, that image from the bar flashes back and it hurts my chest physically. Serena greeted me at the door with a soft smile and a hug that didn’t demand anything.

“Still no change?” she asked gently as we settled on the couch.

“No,” I sighed, leaning my head back. “She keeps trying, but I can’t shake it." My chest tightened painfully.

"A part of me wants to go back and fix things…but then I remember how easily she replaced me that night."

Serena held my hand staring at me pitifully."You’ve been the only constant, Serena. I don’t know what I’d do without you right now.”

She rested her head on my shoulder. “You know I'm always here for you. Cheer up, okay?”

As we stayed like that, the weight of the last few days pressed down on me like a ton of bricks.

Bella’s face kept flashing in my mind, her in that bar, lips locked with that stranger, the way she’d thrown our anniversary away. No matter how many times I tried to push it out.

“Luke,” Serena whispered after a long silence, lifting her head to look at me. Her eyes were soft, full of that familiar warmth that had gotten me through so many rough patches.

“You’ve been carrying this pain for days now. Bella hurt you badly, she showed you exactly where you stand with her. But I’m right here. I’ve always been here. Maybe...maybe it’s time we stop dancing around what we both feel.”

I stared at her, my heart pounding. “Serena… what are you saying?”

She sat up straight, taking my hands in hers. “I’m saying let’s make this real. Let's not keep hiding behind friendship or excuses. You should stop rushing back and forth feeling torn."

Her eyes softened and my heartbeat quickened. "I love you, Luke. I’ve loved you for a long time.”

Her words hit deep. The loneliness, the anger, the need for someone who actually saw me, it all crashed together. I squeezed her hands back, my voice rough. “I have never actually thought about us that way but I feel like you're right."

A part of me screamed that Bella was still my wife but I continued ignoring the screams. "Let’s make this real, Serena. I’m tired of the guilt, tired of always wondering. You’ve never made me feel like a second choice."

I can remember Bella choosing herself over me, when we were dating but Serena puts me first. If I didn’t force Bella to stop working and I'd be paying for her mother's hospital bills, she would choose her career over us.

"You’ve been my constant and I think I love you too!” A soft, relieved smile broke across her face. She leaned in first, and I met her halfway. Our lips touched, gentle at first, then deepening with all the pent-up emotion.

Her arms wrapped around my neck as I pulled her closer, the kiss turning hungry, desperate. Years of restraint shattered in that moment. Her mouth was warm and eager, tasting like tea and I groaned softly against her as our tongues met.

We broke apart just long enough for me to lift her carefully, mindful of her ankle, and carry her to the bedroom.

I laid her down on the bed, climbing over her as she pulled me down for another kiss. Even if these kisses can't be compared to the passionate ones I shared with Bella, I liked it, at least it didn't come with betrayal.

“I want you, Luke,” she breathed between kisses. “All of you. Claim me, eat me, fuck me, please!”

I stripped off my shirt, then helped her out of hers, my hands roaming over her curves, butt cheeks, her back, every part of her.

She arched into me, her fingers tugging at my belt. “Yes,” I murmured, kissing down her neck.

This might not be right, Serena is my best friend but I can’t control my desires.

Clothes came off in a rush—her hands trembling with need as she freed me from my pants, stroking me until I was rock hard.

I kissed her deeply again, spreading her legs and positioning myself between her legs. She was already wet, ready, her thighs parting willingly as I pushed inside her slowly at first, savoring the tight heat.

“Oh god, Luke…” she moaned, her nails digging into my back.

I thrust deeper, setting a steady rhythm that quickly grew harder, and more intense.

The bed creaked beneath us as I drove into her, pouring out all the frustration and betrayal from the past days. The image of Bella kissing another came crashing back and it increased my pace, fucking her deeper without care.

Serena met every thrust, her hips rising to take me fully, her moans filled the room.

“Harder, baby. Claim me. This is what we both needed.”

I gripped her hips, angling deeper, losing myself in the feeling of her body clenching around me. We kissed messily through it all, breaths mingling, bodies slick with sweat.

She came first, crying out my name as her walls pulsed tightly, pulling me over the edge with her.

"Fuckkk...Bella..." I groaned loudly, burying myself deep as I spilled inside her, the release shaking me to my core.

***

(Bella’s POV)

I couldn’t take the silence anymore. Days of waiting in that empty mansion, setting tables for no one, sleeping in a cold bed while Luke’s side stayed untouched.

It was slowly killing me. Serena’s words from that phone call kept replaying in my head, the confession about the kiss, the video, how she’d “comforted” him.

I need to see Luke, we need to talk this out, I don't wanna lose my marriage.

I drove to Serena’s apartment with my heart hammering in my chest. The lights were on inside. His car was parked right outside.

I felt strange, but I forced myself to walk up and push the door open—it was unlocked. The living room was empty, my feet carrying me down the short hallway until I stood in the open doorway.

The bedroom door was open, and as I stepped closer quietly I could see Luke was on top of Serena, completely naked, his hips thrusting deep and steady between her spread legs. Her ankles were locked around his waist, one still wrapped in a bandage, and she was moaning loudly, her nails raking down his back.

“Yes, Luke… just like that. Harder!! You feel so good inside me,” she gasped, her voice thick with pleasure.

Luke groaned, burying his face in her neck as he drove into her again and again.

“Fuck, Serena… you’re so tight.” their bodies moving together like they’d done this a hundred times.

Was it fooled again? Tears gathered in my eyes, the same man I've been...God what have I done to deserve this?

Serena cried out in ecstasy, her hips bucking up to meet him. “I’ve waited so long for you to say that. I love you, Luke. Come inside me. Fill me up.”

I stood there frozen, watching my husband fuck her raw on her bed, whispering things he hadn’t said to me in weeks.

The betrayal cut deeper than anything I’d ever felt. I pulled out my phone, silenced it, and took several clear pictures—Luke’s face buried in her neck, their bodies joined, her legs wrapped around him.

Neither of them noticed me. I walked down the hallway as quietly as I’d come and drove home in silence, the images burning behind my eyes.

As I stepped inside the mansion, I went straight to our bedroom, our former bedroom, not ours anymore, and started packing.

I pulled out my suitcases and threw in my clothes, jewelry, important documents, and personal items. Everything that was truly mine.

I trashed our wedding photos, including the clothes and jewellery he bought for me, the anniversary gifts even the ring and my wedding ring, everything, I made sure it all went to the trash, then called someone to get it thrown out.

When the bags were full, I sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, staring at the empty space where he used to sleep. Then I dialed Fiona's number.

She answered immediately.

“Fiona? It’s Bella. I need you to prepare divorce papers immediately. I want everything documented—infidelity, the works. I just caught him in bed with Serena. I have pictures.”

Fiona didn’t ask, she knows me well enough not to question me. “I’m so sorry, Bella. I’ll get everything started right away. You can come to my office tomorrow to sign and go over the details. Are you safe?”

“I’m fine,” I said flatly, my voice surprisingly steady. “Just get the papers ready. I want this over as quickly as possible.”

I hung up, wheeled the suitcases to the door, and took one last look around the mansion that was no longer my home. It's now empty, exactly as it was before I packed inside as Luke's wife.

Then I left, closing the door behind me with a quiet click.

Luke had made his choice. Now I am making mine.