The Five Year Itch (Sera and Julian) novel Chapter 1

"I'm here to file for an immigrant visa," said Sera Stone. She handed all the information she had prepared to the immigration officer.

The officer stamped the documents efficiently, then handed Sera a receipt."Ma'am, your paperwork will be processed in fifteen days. Please wait patiently."

Sera nodded, turning to leave. She heard the officers whispering behind her.

"Am I seeing things? Mrs. Stone? Why is she immigrating? She had a big fight with Mr. Stone?"

"A fight and then she decided to emigrate?! Everyone knows how much her husband loves her. What could possibly make her leave?"

"You tell me! Five years ago, their wedding was the talk of the town— even I heard about it. Three years ago, Mrs. Stone had a terrible car accident, and Mr. Stone gave her all the blood he could, against the odds. Last year, she just disappeared for an hour, and he had the entire media searching for her globally. Is she really leaving? Mr. Stone is so going to lose it..."

There was a bitter, mocking smile on Sera's lips.

Everyone knew how much Julian adored her.

The CEO of Stone Industries, Julian Stone, was a legend: decisive and aggressive in business, cold and aloof in his private life. Women were warned to stay at least ten feet away from him.

Things changed when he met Sear at a charity gala. He fell in love with her at first sight and started pursuing her with lavish gifts—mansions, sports cars, jewelry, and so on. He'd even lit up the sky with fireworks for three nights straight to proclaim his love. Once, she mentioned a certain discontinued type of chocolate, and he drove through a blizzard, across three states, to get her that. When he was back with the chocolate, he was soaked through.

It was the day her parents died in a car accident that she decided to be with him.

At that time, he was in Montana, closing a billion—dollar deal. Hearing what had happened to her parents, he dropped everything and flown back. When he arrived, he was disheveled and red—eyed, but he held her close, whispering,"Sera, baby, you still have me. I'll always be here for you."

Her heart melted. He must be the one.

But three months ago, he broke her heart by cheating on her with his best friend's younger sister, Chloe, who was staying at their house. Evidence of their affair littered their mansion—the sofa, the kitchen counter, the bed...everywhere.

Julian thought he was hiding it well, but secrets rarely stayed buried.

The discovery had been a gut—wrenching wave of pain. Finally, she accepted the brutal truth and decided to leave.

The Stone family had a long history of military service, which meant no Stone could leave the country, including Julian. If she left the country, he'd never find her.

She tucked the documents away, hailed a cab, and headed back to their mansion.

The scent of heather hit her as she walked through the front door.

Julian and Chloe, who were hanging decorations on the wall, turned. Julian froze, then a warm smile spread across his face. He took her hand.

"Sweetheart, why don't you bundle up? You'll catch a chill. I thought you were out with your friends, and I was trying to get you a surprise!"

A surprise?