Chapter 3 " If that's the case , " he said , his expression intent , " then I want you to do right by me . " The sincerity in his eyes left no doubt - he wasn't joking . In the end , they got married . Maybe it was his striking looks that clouded her judgment . Everything that followed was quiet - almost underwhelming . There was no wedding , no ceremony , not even an announcement to family or friends . Only a handful of her closest friends knew . Dianna was one of them . After they got married , they bought an apartment in Serenity Estates . Kendrick handled the down payment and refused to let her contribute a single dime . Not wanting him to bear the entire financial burden , Silvana insisted on covering the cost of the interior decoration herself - she had savings of her own , after all . To be fair , Kendrick turned out to be a good husband . He was gentle , considerate , and held a respectable job . He had no bad habits to speak of and was unexpectedly romantic , never failing to give her gifts on holidays or during getaways . What stood out even more was his attention to personal hygiene - he was , in fact , something of a clean freak , far more fastidious than most . And then there was the physical compatibility between them , which remained as perfect as that first night . She honestly couldn't think of a single flaw in him . She had truly begun to believe that growing old with him like this wouldn't be a bad way to live a life . She had never been particularly fond of children , but gradually , she found 0.00 % 15530 Chapter 3 her mind changing - because of him . 17h of ouchers Yet when she cautiously brought up the idea , his gaze turned cool and detached almost instantly . " You're still practically a child yourself , " he said . " There's no rush . " Fine . Maybe he had a point . So , she let the idea go . Not long after , he began staying out late , then all night . Business trips grew more frequent , stretching from days to weeks . This went on for months - long enough for rumors to begin drifting her way . Until one day , a message came from an unknown number , warning her that he was seeing someone else and advising her to file for divorce . At first , she brushed it off , thinking it a petty prank . A man like Kendrick -successful , magnetic - was bound to have jealous exes . But then , around the beginning of the year , he started coming home from trips smelling faintly of women's perfume . And late one night , his phone rang - a woman's name flashing on the screen . Silvana answered . That was when she finally understood the real reason he had married her . He hadn't wanted her . Rather , he'd only wanted to upset someone else . It didn't matter who stood beside him at the altar , so long as it sent the right message . And that someone was Christina . Silvana had no interest in clinging to a husband who saw her as a pawn . It would be a lie to say nothing good came from those years . Kendrick had a killer body - lean frame , impeccable lines . Sleeping with a * 27.11 % 15:53 Chapter 3 120 Vouchers man like that , even for just one night , would've been something to brag about . At the very least , she hadn't lacked for physical pleasure . As for whatever had happened - or was still happening - between him and Christina , she refused to dwell on it . She had invested sincerely in their marriage . Now that it was over , it felt as though a piece of her soul had been drawn out with it . Noticing the distant look in Silvana's eyes , Dianna's voice softened with concern . " Silvy , don't be upset . A jerk like that doesn't deserve you . Honestly , he and that bitch deserve each other . You dumped him - plain and simple . " " I'm not upset , " Silvana replied calmly . " I'm just glad we didn't have children . " She'd had a rough childhood herself . Her parents divorced when she was ten , and she was placed in her father's custody - only for him to hand her over to a nanny while he started a new family , complete with new children . But at least he'd provided for her financially . Once she turned eighteen and left for college , she never asked him for another dime . They rarely spoke , meeting only for an occasional holiday meal . It was part of the reason she and Kendrick hadn't held a wedding banquet . Dianna , who knew her family history well , understood exactly what she meant . " It's fine , " Dianna said gently . " There are plenty of men out there . With your looks and money , you could have any one of them with just a crook of your finger . " Silvana couldn't help but chuckle . Seeing her smile , Dianna felt a wave of relief . " So , what are your plans ? 52.68 % 15.530 Chapter 3 What are you gonna do with the apartment ? " 1288 vouchers " I'll move out . And the apartment ... Of course , I don't want it anymore . I'll sell it . Anna , you have connections in real estate , don't you ? Can you help me ? " " Consider it done , " Dianna said , patting her chest confidently . " Leave it to me . Just wait for the good news . " Silvana returned to Serenity Estates to pack her belongings . She didn't own much - a few suitcases would suffice . The rest was Kendrick's . Like her , he didn't have much luggage either . What was more , his presence was marked mostly by work - related items . Worried she might accidentally leave behind something important of his , she hesitated for a moment , then decided to call and ask him to come collect his things himself . But it wasn't Kendrick who answered . It was Christina . " Hello ? Who's this ? " Silvana's breath caught , and no sound escaped her lips . In the silence that followed , Christina's voice came through again . " I know who this is . Ms. Mendoza , right ? " Slowly , tonelessly , Silvana replied without denial , " Yes . I need to speak with Kendrick . 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