I couldn’t sleep, so I turned on my phone.

The media outlets were already publishing the photos from the bar.

In the pictures, the guy was kissing Serena’s cheek, and I was standing across from them, watching.

The comments were explosive.

[“Alex is so useless. He just stood there and watched his wife get cozy with another man, and didn’t do anything.”]

[“Is Alex a mama’s boy? That’s why he wouldn’t confront the guy!”]

[“The second floor has a point. I seriously suspect that Alex has some problems, and Serena looks down on him.”]

[“Haha, maybe there are problems in that area, so that's why Serena went out to find someone else.”]

[“It’s like that in these arranged marriages. What are you people even talking about.”]

These people were just looking for drama.

I calmly closed out the post. The next second, the post had been deleted.

Then, I couldn’t find anything about tonight’s event.

It looked like the Mayer family had taken action.

If I guessed right, the Mayer family patriarch, or my father-in-law, would be calling me soon.

Sure enough, a second later, the phone rang. His voice was cold. “Come to the family house immediately.”

Then he hung up.

The elder Mr. Mayer had been a soldier in his younger days. He had a strong sense of masculinity, and he couldn’t stand gossip in the family.

He found it shameful.

The next morning, I got dressed and knocked on Serena’s door.

She was half-asleep, looking at me and yawning.

“What, want some morning sex?”

I didn’t respond to her mockery. “Your dad wants us to come over.”

The Mayers had many rules. They had high expectations for their children.

When they were told to go home, they had to go home on time.

Even Serena, who was usually free-spirited, had to obey.

And I thought she would be happy to go, because she knew why we were suddenly being called back.

She was lazy, but her smile was faint. “Okay, good luck.”

On the way, I didn't say a word.

Because I was about to face a storm.

Serena was in a good mood, playing a game on her phone.

When we got there, she didn't pay attention to me and went to sit on the sofa to keep playing her game.

And I followed, politely calling out, “Mom.”

Mrs. Mayer nodded.

“Your dad is waiting for you in the study.”

I knew he would be looking for me, so I said, “Okay,” and headed for the study.

Serena didn't look up the entire time.

I walked out of the study half an hour later.

The white shirt was stained with blood, and I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth.

The elder Mr. Mayer didn't lift a finger himself. He even had a bodyguard beat me up.

After the beating, he pretended to be a good guy and helped me up.

“Alex, it’s not that your father is cruel, I'm helping you. I need you to be more assertive as a man.”

“Behave yourself around your own woman. I hope this is the last time.”

I was about to go downstairs when I heard Mrs. Mayer scolding Serena.

“Look at you, acting up, and making Alex get in trouble! You know your father’s temper. He doesn’t hold back when he hits someone.”

Serena didn't even raise her eyelids, and her tone was annoyed: “You forced me to marry someone I didn’t love. Can’t I look for a man outside?”

Mrs. Mayer sighed, “It was arranged before your grandfather passed away. There was nothing we could do.”

“You still better behave, or you won’t have Alex anymore.”

Hearing this, Serena finally looked up, and her eyes met mine.

That look wasn’t as bad as usual; it seemed as if there was a hint of worry.

This look suddenly reminded me of Amber.

A sudden feeling of suffocation hit me, making it hard to breathe.