Chapter 2

'If I've gone back in time, does that mean—' Winter instinctively touched her belly to feel the baby bump, only to find it flat. 

Winter bit her lip; there were too many complicated emotions in her heart. 

While she was thankful that a higher power had given her a chance to undo her past mistakes and live a better life, she couldn't help but grieve over her baby's absence. It felt like she had miscarried a third time. 

Her first two miscarriages from Aiden were because the fetuses were inherently in poor health, but the baby she had with Sebastian was healthy.

And she had lost him again. 

"My dearest son…" Winter gently murmured, her hand caressing her flat belly. "I may hate your father, but I never hate you. I'm so sorry, but I can't meet you again because there is no way I'd allow myself to get pregnant for the second time by your scum father."

Winter lifted her gaze and stared at the door where Sebastian would enter the bridal room in roughly five minutes. 

Her gaze turned hostile as she remembered everything that Sebastian and Camilla—the pair of vicious mother and son—did to her. 

Winter had always been ignorant and fragile, allowing them to control her late husband's wealth until it was too late for her to notice their schemes.

They took her fortune, isolated her from her family and friends, and then left her heartbroken.

The storm in her heart raged on, fueled by the betrayal of the husband who was supposed to guide and protect her. 

She had dozens of scenarios on how to avenge herself against Sebastian and a hundred ways to prevent her misfortune from happening.

But for now, all she wanted to see was that damned bastard's face. She wanted to know if this scum was still the same scoundrel she married.

The door was pushed open by someone from the outside, and Sebastian sauntered his way into the bridal room with a bottle of champagne in his left hand and disheveled wedding suit.

Back then, Winter thought that Sebastian was just having fun with his groomsmen before spending time with his bride. After all, this was his first marriage, unlike Winter.

But now, she could see he was a walking red flag. There was the stench of another woman's perfume wafting off him as he entered the room. How could she have been so stupid to ignore this?

Sebastian kicked the door behind him to close it and swaggered towards his bride, a frivolous smile on his face. 

They stared at each other. Winter couldn't help feeling upset the moment she saw his face. 

"What's with your face, Madam? Are you not happy we're married now? Oh, right, you're my wife already. I shouldn't call you Madam anymore."

That was the same line that Sebastian said before when he walked into the bridal room years ago. His appearance confirmed Winter's suspicion—nothing had changed.

This was the same scoundrel who cheated on her one year from now. 

"Should I call you wife then?" Sebastian asked, humming momentarily and clicking his tongue. "It sounds weird. But that's just how marriage works, right? It's always weird and uncomfortable."

Again, it was the same line that he had used before, and Winter remembered her response.

She had nodded shyly and expressed her desire to be addressed as 'wife' or 'darling', just as Aiden had called her back then. 

But not now.

She couldn't bear the disgusting thought of this man calling her with loving pet names. It was best if he didn't address her at all.

"You should keep addressing me as Madam."

"Pardon?" Sebastian stared at his wife with a stupefied expression.

"I said, keep addressing me as Madam. You can call me Madam Winter, but I don't want you to call me wife or darling. We're not close enough to do that."

For a split second, a trace of grief flickered across Sebastian's face, but it was too quick for Winter to notice before he resumed his stupefied expression. 

"What do you mean we're not close enough to do that? We're married!" Sebastian said. "I don't care what you say. I can call you whatever since you're MY wife!"

'Still the same stubborn, reckless, and dominant young man…'

For some reason, Winter felt nostalgic, which was part of why she got attracted to Sebastian in the first place.

He was young, reckless, and stubborn. Aiden was very loving of her, but he also had his fair share of bad traits, one being his stubbornness.

So she thought Sebastian would treat her kindly once they married, just like Aiden had. 

Too bad she was wrong. 

Winter was usually very meek and obedient to her husband, and even now, there was fear deep in her heart. She feared what Sebastian and his mother might do if she dared to fight back.

But being meek wouldn't change her fate. She had to stand up for herself and fight back!

So, she took a deep breath and said, "It doesn't matter whether we're married or not. I know that you don't love me, and I don't love you either. So let's maintain some distance between us."

"What is wrong with you, Winter?" Sebastian asked. He was confused by his wife's sudden change of behavior. "You accepted my proposal and exchanged rings with me. We are married, and you can do nothing about it."

"Or maybe…" Sebastian began, drawing near his wife with an inviting grin, making it easy for Winter to know what he wanted. "Are you mad at me because I spent too much time with my friends outside?"

"Well, don't be mad, alright. The night is still young. So why don't we start now?" Sebastian cajoled. He placed his hand on her shoulder, desire evident in his voice. "Let's do this, Winter."

Winter closed her eyes for a moment, trying to collect herself. Back then, she was overcome with want for him. Now it only took less than a second for that love to transform into disgust. She quickly brushed his palm off her shoulder. 

Sebastian's eyes darkened as he stared at Winter. "You're rejecting me? Your husband?"

"Yes, and you should know that I want to call off our marriage," Winter said. 

"Winter! Do you hear what you're saying?!"

"Loud and clear," Winter replied, her voice trembling with fear and excitement. She had long wanted to say this but was scared of his reaction. 

But what did she have to lose now?

"I want a divorce, Sebastian Saenz."