Chapter 35
After Beatrice fell asleep, Serena and Justin left the room. As soon as the door closed, Serena pulled her hand free from Justin’s grasp adthout hesitation
His gaze darkened. “What is it? Do I disgust you that much?
“The act is over. Now that Mrs. Farrow Senior is asleep, there’s no need to keep pretending,” she said, turning to head downstairs.
There are you going? Justin asked while following closely
“Home,” Serena replied curtly.
“This late? You’re really going back now?” Justin asked.
“That’s none of your concer” Serena’s steps were decisive
Downstairs, Leyla Watson stood holding a tray with bagels and beef ribs.
Sitting on the couch with a Pomeranian in her lap, Jenna cast Serena a mocking glance. “These are for you. Mrs. Farrow Senior asked for them. Eat up.”
“No need, Mrs. Farrow. I already had dinner,” Serena replied politely.
Jenna scoffed. “Suit yourself. You think I want an ingrate to stay in my house?”
“If it weren’t for Mrs. Farrow Senior, I wouldn’t have come back here in the first place,” Serena said.
Jenna’s eyes widened in fury. “What did you just say? Serena, you’ve really grown a spine, haven’t you? Talking back to me like this? Get out of my house!”
Without a word, Serena tumed and walked out.
Outside, the rain had begun to fall, light droplets stinging her cheeks with icy sharpness. She made it to the villa’s gate when two blinding headlights pierced through the dark
Justin’s car pulled up beside her, the window sliding down to reveal his annoyed face. “Get in.”
“No need. I’ll get a cab,” Serena replied coolly.
“This area’s deserted. Where exactly do you plan to hail a cab? Serena, my patience has limits. Get in the car!”
Serena ignored him and kept walking, Watching her silhouette disappear into the rain, Justin clenched the steering wheel lightly. She was always like this–unrelentingly stubborn. Once she’d set her mind on something, there was no reasoning with her. It was this trait that he hated most about her. Why couldn’t she just compromise? Frustrated, Justin got out and strode after her, grabbing her wrist.
See spun around, her face damp with rain. The water softened her features, giving her a fragile, ethereal beauty. What are you doing?”
His temper simgenged down instantly. “Do you plan to walk all the way home? The rain’s getting heavier. Serena, stop being stubborn. Don’t play games with your health.”
She looked up at him, her lips a thin, determined line. Eventhough she told herself to let go, some emotions refused to be silenced. They would surge unexpectedly, clawing at the edges of her resolve. After all, 19 years of chasing lustin had left an indelible mark Rationally, she could force herself to move on. Emotionally, however, it
different battle entirely
Chapter 35
+25 BONUS
A phone buzzed, breaking the tense silence. Justin glanced at the screen.
Serena caught sight of the name “Candice“, and the warmth that had briefly touched her heart instantly turned to ice. Her tone dripped with sarcasm. “My health is fine. Don’t worry about me. I’ve faced worse. Remember that time I had a raging fever but still braved a storm to meet a client? This is nothing compared to that.”
Justin’s hand hovered over the phone, but her words made him hesitate. He slowly slipped it back into his pocket. “Stop this nonsense and get in the car,” he said, his voice tight with frustration.
Their standoff was broken by a low, lazy voice calling out, “Serena.”
She turned, squinting through the rain. Under a nearby streetlight stood a tall man holding a sleek black umbrella. It was Wilson. His long fingers gripped the handle lightly, and his lips curved into a faint, confident smile. “Comé here.”
Justin’s expression darkened instantly. “Serena, don’t you dare! If you-”
“Let go of me!” she snapped, wrenching her wrist free. Without hesitation, she ran toward Wilson and climbed into the Bentley parked behind him.
Wilson slid into the driver’s seat, pausing to meet Justin’s furious gaze through the rain–streaked window before starting his engine. With a smirk, he reached out and honked the horn as if taunting him.
With that, he slammed his foot on the gas, the car surging forward and disappearing into the night, tires kicking up a rooster tail of water.
N
