Serena POVThe atmosphere in this house has gotten worse since Mom left. Vivid memories fill every nook and cranny. I still remember how my mother refused to be hospitalized, wanting to spend her last hours among us. Those moments were so bittersweet.I remember that time when my father insisted that I go to school, but I refused. I roared at the top of my lungs. Hardin also refused to go to school and got a beating from Dad.This house never felt the same again, especially since Aunt Mary moved in and lived here. I waited until I graduated from high school and left home. Living in an apartment during college was actually much better for my mental health.This morning, the tension was heightened by the presence of Uncle Frederick. Our conversation last night changed my view of him. He no longer looks like the uncle I once admired, but like a devious and untrustworthy man. “I want Kevin to come. Make sure you look presentable; don't be embarrassed,” Dad urged in a stern tone, but I re
Serena POVKevin appeared in a casual look that accentuated his good looks. Despite his alluring charm, I wasn't going to be trapped by him. His demeanor had exposed his dark side.“How are you, uncle?” greeted Kevin politely to dad.If he was trying to make fun of me with his politeness, he was mistaken. His attempts to influence me would not easily succeed. “I'd like to take Serena for a walk. Is that okay, uncle?” he continued.Father laughed, nodding his head at me. “Serena's been waiting for you all this time.”I shook my head lazily.“We can chat here while we wait for Serena to get ready,” Dad said, his sharp gaze forcing me to move.Staying here and challenging him would only frustrate me further. Going with Kevin wasn't a promising option either. Still, maybe it was better than staying here. Perhaps I could find a way to escape on the way.Reluctantly, I moved towards my room. I briefly considered choosing a father-approved outfit, but then I decided to back out at the last
Serena POVThe moment I entered Leopold's room, it was like I had just found a place that truly made me feel safe. Kevin was just a shadow that was sinking further and further behind. I was determined not to get stuck with a rude man like him.Leopold didn't utter a single word, but his eyes were full of questions. However, instead of asking, he hugged me. That was enough for me for now. I just needed his presence.“Babe…” I crawled up and put my hands around his neck, trying to reach his kisses. “Kiss me, please.”There was hesitation in his eyes, but only for a moment. Without hesitation, Leopold hugged me tightly and kissed me back.That was precisely what I wanted. Leopold's kiss, to erase the traces of the nightmare Kevin had left behind.Leopold embraced my body on the bed. The warmth of his embrace brought a sense of security that encompassed my entire being. His kiss never broke. Instead, it deepened and deepened.Between the gentleness of his touch and his hot skin, there was
Leopold POV Serena looked at me with a mixed expression of surprise and excitement as I walked into her hotel room. The fragrant scent of aromatherapy enveloped the room, creating a calm yet tense atmosphere between us. “I didn't expect you to come,” she hisses softly, her voice trembling with the intimacy created between us. I felt a rapid throbbing in my chest as I approached her, feeling the warmth of her body radiate despite the distance between us being only a few steps. She took off the hotel kimono, leaving her in just a gray lace bra and panties that complemented her natural beauty. “Babe, you send messages like that. You think I can just stay where I am?” I said, trying to hold back the wave of emotions that swept through me. My hand gently stroked her beautifully flowing black hair. And for a moment, I couldn't take my eyes off her seductive hips. I still remembered how surprised I was when I received her message as I was eating my breakfast. At first, I ignored it, thi
Serena POV I stopped in the lobby, and my seconds stopped when my eyes met Leopold and Amanda. The sight tore at my heart. It was as if an infinite weight were pressing down on me and crushing me. I tried to avert my eyes, but the image of Leopold with Amanda fused in my mind like an eternal mark. Like a masochist, I couldn't take my eyes off them. Glued to the center of the lobby, Leopold and Amanda are outside. There was no distance between the two, who looked good to each other. It tore my heart even deeper.If there were eyes watching, they would have thought they were a happy couple expecting their baby.I should have left, but there seemed to be a force holding my feet in place.My eyes widened when I saw Leopold touch Amanda's back. It was a touch I had once felt, one I would rather not share with another woman.Leopold once claimed my body as his own, and I gave it to him knowingly. I wanted to scream in front of Amanda to claim Leopold as mine so that no other woman could h
Leopold POVStupid…. Stupid… Stupid.I felt like a fool who had just realized his stupidity. Really, what I said earlier was not appropriate for a woman with an excellent education. Even worse, I had intentionally hurt Serena's feelings. I really didn't mean to lower her self-esteem. Not at all.I wished I could turn back time, go back an hour, and swallow all those harsh words. I should have taken Serena to my penthouse—maybe even locked her up there. Not only that, but I didn't want to lose track of her.But right now, I felt like a savage man who claimed this relationship was all about lust.Amanda was always the source of trouble. I accidentally bumped into her when I returned to the office. Amanda immediately started talking to me, showing me the ultrasound results. She even forced me to go shopping for baby clothes.I refused, but Amanda continued to use the baby as a tool to influence me.I don't know if it's because of my weakness, but when I'm choosing baby clothes, there's a
Serena POVI flatly stare at the ceiling of the living room, trying to hold back my mounting emotions. This weekend, I decided to let loose and wore only black lingerie without a bra. And a black lacy thong that only barely covered my pussy. I was really too lazy to dress properly because my body felt hot when the thick fabrics of the clothes touched my skin.Renesmee sat beside me; the silence between us was heavy. She didn't speak, but the expression on her face was enough to express the same concern that was inside me.“If you want to say, 'I've told you', I would rather not hear it. I know I was wrong.” My voice trembled with the disappointment that crept into my heart.Renesmee scooted closer, her eyes trying to catch the expression on my face. “I just want a drink,” she mumbled, trying to distract from my sadness.I smiled weakly, attempting to cover up my chaotic feelings. However, the silence between us seemed to encourage us to contemplate what was really going on. Without a
Leopold POVAmanda and I often bumped into each other, as we were both assigned to the tax branch office in the same building. Even if I avoided her, Amanda always had a way to get me to meet her.But it wasn't Amanda who gave me a headache. It was Serena.I met Serena at the office, and it seemed like she was still on strike against me. I had apologized, though I didn't really understand the reason for the apology.As the office was getting quiet in the evening, I decided to go home. Only Sarah and Serena were still there, as they were busy with the month-end report.I walked up to Serena, but she looked at me with an expression that made me feel as if she wanted to tear me alive. I chose not to bother her and decided to go home. My tired body needed rest to relieve the growing headache.Despite the desire to be with Serena, I didn't mind spending tonight alone. It's been a while since I was truly alone.The image of a cozy bed filled my mind. And my mind began to drift, thinking tha
Leopold POV Five years have passed quickly, but it feels like only yesterday that I first met my chatty wife. Although we have faced various problems, both small and big, in our relationship, we have always tried to find solutions together. The first three years were a tough test for us. From minor arguments that led to days without talking to a big problem when my branch companies almost went bankrupt because of the actions of my trusted people. At that time, I was forced to leave Serena and our baby in America to deal with issues in various countries. Our relationship almost broke down, and Serena almost asked for a divorce because my busy schedule made her feel neglected, especially when she had the baby blues. Once, when Serena cried and angrily asked for a divorce over the phone, it felt like the world was crumbling before my eyes. Luckily, Serena's family was there to help take care of my son and boost her morale. I can never thank my father-in-law enough for being so unders
Serena POVAfter the blessing, it was time for the after-party in another hall. The night was peaceful, with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves and the distant sound of crickets chirping. The tranquility of the evening enveloped everything in a sense of calm and serenity. We both stepped into another hall that had been prepared for the after-party. The party was a blast! The decorations were spectacular, with Mickey and Minnie Mouse balloons, a Cinderella castle centerpiece, and a life-sized cutout of Goofy. The music playing in the background added to the magic of the evening, with classic Disney tunes filling the air. Leopold really went all out, and I felt like a kid again. I couldn't wait to join in the fun and celebrate in this enchanting setting. It was the perfect choice to bring fun and magic to our special moment.Colorful lights hanging from the ceiling have decorated the hall, creating a magical atmosphere just like in Disneyland. The decorations were stunning: colorful b
Serena POVI can hardly believe it. Today, I got married at 23 to a 37-year-old man. He's not just any man. He's Leopold, the former CEO of my workplace and also my former one-night stand.During the proposal that came so suddenly and the surprise wedding outfit fitting, Leopold surprised me again. He calmly stated that he had already arranged our wedding with his family.My mouth dropped open, and my mind raced. I almost shouted, “What?!” But I could feel a tremor of excitement creeping up inside my chest.Speaking of Leopold's family, they all came all the way from Sweden to California.At first, I was afraid they would reject me. I was worried they'd make a big deal about Leopold siding with me to be my guardian and my father's successor. However, they welcomed me warmly. Leopold's mother was so considerate. That beautiful woman gave me a lot of advice on how to be a good wife and told me how to divide my time fairly between my husband and children. I may not have fully believed
Serena POVI frowned as Renesmee stopped the car in front of a luxury boutique building specializing in wedding dresses. From afar, the sunlight reflected off the boutique's windows, giving off a hypnotizing impression of luxury. “Renesmee, what did we come here for?” I protested, my hesitant voice clearly audible in the afternoon breeze that swept through my hair. She said she was taking me somewhere nice, but it turned out to be this luxury boutique.She laughed lightly, her bright-green eyes flashing. “You're curious, aren't you?”Renesmee glanced at me with a mysterious smile on her lips as we walked into the courtyard of the boutique building in Beverly Hills.I sighed, knowing for sure that she had a plan behind all this. I knew this boutique, a place only the elite could afford. It belonged to a renowned designer who used to make clothes for top celebrities and the rich.“You're getting married?” I asked Renesmee as we entered the boutique building. The fragrant smell of fresh
Leopold POV I sat in the center of the living room that I had carefully designed. Nervousness struck, though I tried to hide it behind my broad smile. Tonight was the night I had been waiting for—the night I would propose to Serena, my true love, to become my wife.Looking around, I couldn't help but smile at all the simple designs I had prepared. I adorned the living room with vibrant roses, their fragrance evoking memories of Serena’s alluring presence. I deliberately chose colors to reflect the joy and happiness that we will share together as a married couple.I wasn't an interior designer, but I tried my best to create something special for Serena. The walls of the living room were full of photos of Serena that I had secretly taken. It brought back memories of the special times we had spent together. The shapes were mostly hearts, representing my deep affection for her. I might not care if some find it tacky. What truly matters is expressing my love for her.On the table were v
Serena POV I stared at him fiercely, my eyes shining with my newfound courage. “Maybe for you, it was a mistake, dad. But for me, it was the right choice. I love Leopold, and I will not leave him.”There were no more words from my father; there was only a pressing silence in the room. The debate over the terms of becoming part of the Alexander family would never end.After all, how could I sacrifice my love? I will defend my choice, no matter what.“I realized long ago that you never considered my presence. I struggled to find my own happiness. Then, when I found a man who accepted me sincerely, you suddenly asked me to break up,” I said disappointed.“Serena, I know what's best for you.” Dad growled as he squeezed the sofa.I shook my head. “You never knew about me, dad. All you know is the family image.”“When you regret your choice, don't come here. You're such an unreliable daughter!” He exclaimed loudly, startling Uncle Frederick, who had just entered the room.I may look wild t
Serena POV I sat on a comfortable garden chair, looking out over the rose garden in front of me. The air seemed to be guiding me to bring all the courage I had. Here I was, in the garden of my father's house, with my heart pounding. I had considered everything carefully beforehand, and now I needed to ask for his blessing.“Dad, I'm sorry I came without telling you first,” I said, trying to compose myself.He turned to me with a serious expression, his eyes staring intently at me. I knew he was going to ask me the gist of what I wanted to talk about. That's how my father was—always straight to the point.“What do you want to talk about, Serena?” He asked, his voice sounding stiff, as if reflecting how difficult it was for him to express emotions.I swallowed, trying to organize the words properly in my mind before speaking them. I wanted my father to understand; I wanted him to support me.“I've come to talk about Leopold,” I said slowly, trying to construct my sentences carefully s
Serena POVThe heat of the setting sun left an orange color on the western horizon, creating a dazzling silhouette of Leopold before me. But, even though he was there, a darkness filled my mind, filled with worries about Eloise that hovered in the back of my mind.Leopold gently touched my flowing hair, giving me goosebumps from his warm touch. However, underneath his gentleness, there was anxiety shackling my heart.“Babe, is something bothering you?” his voice hissed, easing the chaos in my mind.I looked up at him, searching for answers in his warm eyes. Our arms embraced each other, and I buried my head in his chest, feeling the calm beat of his heart. “I'm still thinking about Eloise. You know how close we were. It's painful to recall all the wonderful memories we created together.”“Can a loyal friend hurt her friend?” asked Leopold in a soft voice, but his words pierced my heart. “No,” I replied softly, letting the silence envelop us.For some people, it might be easy to sugge
Serena POV Silence stretched between us, only the rustling of plates and the soft sounds of songs from the restaurant's speakers trying to break the ice at our table.Renesmee was still looking intently at Eloise, as if trying to find an answer from that gaze. Meanwhile, Eloise was silent, trapped in her own world created on her phone screen.“I'm finishing it here and today, because I no longer want to deal with anything that involves Eloise,” Renesmee said firmly, her voice piercing the air with disconcerting certainty.I could feel the tremor of firmness in her intonation, as if she had prepared her plan well in advance.I looked at Eloise, attempting to catch a speck of emotion behind her rigid facial expression. My hand touched her arm, trying to grab her attention from the virtual world that was sucking her in. “What about you, Eloise?” I whispered softly, as if feeling the darkness that enveloped her mind.Eloise looked up, her eyes still glued to her phone screen, though the