Chapter 5 Paradise in Hell

Jane: POV

I opened my mouth to object—the last thing I wanted was to be trapped somewhere with Lucas—but to my surprise, he nodded in agreement.

"That's an excellent idea, Mother. We could use some time away."

I stared at him, stunned by his response. What game was he playing now?

Isabella beamed, pleased to have her suggestion accepted. "Perfect! I'll be heading home now. You two should go back and start planning your trip."

She kissed us both on the cheek and departed in a cloud of expensive perfume, leaving me alone with Lucas.

The moment she departed in a hired vehicle, I turned on him.

"Are you out of your mind?" I hissed. "We're practically getting divorced. I'm not going on vacation with you."

Lucas's face hardened, the pleasant mask he'd worn for his mother dropping away. "Whether you go or not isn't up to you," he said coldly. "Your brother and father's lives are still in my hands."

The reminder hit me like a physical blow.

I clenched my fists, fighting back the urge to scream at him in the middle of the sidewalk. 'Just a little longer', I told myself. 'Soon I'll be free of this jerk forever.'

The morning after our hospital visit, Lucas cornered me in the penthouse kitchen, his voice dropping to that calculating tone I'd come to dread.

"Let's get something straight," he said, casually pouring himself coffee like we were discussing the weather.

"This vacation is just for show. Once we're there, you can do whatever the hell you want, and I'll do the same. We just need to keep up appearances in front of others."

I gripped my mug tighter. "Where exactly are we going?"

"Hawaii. Mother's already made arrangements." He didn't even look at me. "We leave tomorrow."

"Hawaii? You decided without even—"

"Would you rather stay here with my mother asking about babies every five minutes?" He finally met my eyes, his expression mockingly amused.

I bit back my retort. He was right about one thing—getting away from Isabella's baby obsession sounded like heaven.

The next day at the airport, I was scrolling through my phone when a familiar voice made my stomach clench.

"Lucas! What a coincidence!"

I looked up to see Serena approaching our gate, wheeling designer luggage that probably cost more than most people's monthly salary.

She was wearing oversized sunglasses indoors like some B-list celebrity trying to get noticed.

My jaw tightened. "Coincidence? Are you fucking kidding me?"

Lucas shrugged, not even bothering to look apologetic. "I forgot to mention Serena was headed to Hawaii too."

"Forgot? Like you forgot you were married when you were fucking her at the Celestial?" I hissed.

Lucas's eyes narrowed. "Watch yourself, Jane."

Serena settled next to Lucas, her hand immediately finding his arm. "The flight's almost full, but I managed to get the seat next to yours, Lucas."

I stood up, gathering my things. "Great. I'll find another seat."

Neither of them protested as I approached the gate agent to request a seat change.

I ended up in an aisle seat ten rows back, which suited me fine.

From my new position, I could see Lucas and Serena clearly—his head bent toward hers, her hand occasionally brushing his thigh, their laughter carrying down the aisle.

’Those two are truly repulsive, just a pair of adulterous scoundrels.‘

By the time we landed in Honolulu and arrived at the hotel, evening had already descended upon us.

Our hotel was a beachfront resort that screamed luxury from every polished surface.

Under different circumstances, I might have appreciated its beauty.

Instead, all I could think about was how I was trapped in paradise with the two people I despised most in the world.

After unpacking in my separate room (thank God for small mercies), I decided I couldn't put it off any longer.

We needed to talk about divorce, and Lucas couldn't avoid me forever.

The sooner we sorted this out, the sooner I could start my new life.

I took the elevator to Lucas's suite, rehearsing what I'd say.

When I reached his door, I raised my hand to knock, then froze as I heard it—a woman's moan, followed by Lucas's voice.

"That's it, baby. Just like that."

The sounds grew louder—Serena's high-pitched gasps, the rhythmic thumping against the wall, Lucas's grunts.

"Harder, Lucas! Yes, right there!"

I felt bile rise in my throat. Not from jealousy—God no—but from sheer disgust. This was the man I'd married. This was the farce I was living.

"You're so much better than her," I heard Lucas say between groans. "So much tighter."

"She's frigid," Serena panted. "Everyone knows it."

I stepped back from the door, my hand covering my mouth. Part of me wanted to kick the door down and throw them both off the balcony.

Instead, I took a deep breath and walked away. Our divorce conversation could wait until they weren't actively fucking each other's brains out.

‘I don't have to bring up the divorce with him today; I‘ll just get some rest first.’

The next day，I spent the afternoon on the beach, trying to lose myself in the sound of the waves.

The Hawaiian sun was glorious, warming my skin as I lay on a lounger with my eyes closed behind dark sunglasses.

"Still clinging to a man who doesn't want you?"

I didn't need to open my eyes to recognize Serena's voice. I kept them closed, hoping she'd take the hint and leave.

"I know you're not sleeping," she persisted, her shadow falling across me.

I sighed and sat up, removing my sunglasses to look at her directly. "What do you want, Serena?"

She smiled, all white teeth and venom. "Just wondering why you're still hanging around. It's pathetic, really. Lucas doesn't love you—he never has."

"Pathetic?" I laughed. "Honey, I'm dying to divorce him. He's the one who won't let go."

Her smile widened. "You think he's not divorcing you because he loves you? Wake up, Jane. He's keeping you around because he enjoys watching you suffer."

"Why don't you just leave?" She tilted her head.

"You think I haven't tried?" I stood up, gathering my things. "Why don't you ask your boyfriend to sign the divorce papers instead of harassing me? I'd happily walk away tomorrow."

"Who do you think he cares about more?" Serena suddenly asked, changing tactics. "You or me?"

I rolled my eyes without responding.

Before I could react, she grabbed my wrist, yanking my hand up and smacking herself across the face with it.

"What the hell?" I jerked my hand back, shocked at what had just happened.

Serena immediately let out a dramatic cry, staggering backward and clutching her cheek. "How dare you slap me!" she shrieked, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

"Are you insane?" I stared at her in disbelief. "You just hit yourself with my hand!"

"Jane!" Lucas's voice thundered from behind me. I turned to see him striding across the sand, his face dark with fury. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"