Serena POVLeopold took me to his apartment in an elite area of Santa Clara. For a moment, my eyes didn't blink at the skyscraper called The Hills Sky.It didn't cross my mind that he lived in a notoriously elite apartment complex whose owners were mostly humans with deep pockets. I knew Leopold was old money. However, I still didn't expect him to be one owner of this luxury apartment.His steps were steady, but his gaze was piercing, playing on the worry inside me.Since earlier, Leopold has clung to me like a shadow that wouldn't leave. Not a word escaped his lips as he led me away from the house.“Let me check.” Leopold's voice was calm yet firm as he set me down on the sofa and squatted before me. His eyes searched my neck with an intensity that sent chills down my spine. “Who is he, Serena?” “It doesn't matter,” I replied, trying to contain the tremor in my voice.His eyes delved into every secret that lay behind my words. “It matters, because I need his name and address, so I c
Serena POVLeopold pushed me to the kitchen island. He flipped me over and pushed me down onto the counter.As soon as I kissed him back, all my defenses came crashing down. When Leopold wrapped his tongue around mine, I let instinct take over.No more tender kisses.Leopold kissed me hard, reminding me of his kisses that I had always longed for. I open myself up even more, giving Leopold the opportunity to do whatever he wants.“Fuck, Serena. You're so hot. I miss you, baby.” Leopold collapsed on top of me. “I really, really miss you.”“Yes,” I said with difficulty. My head felt dizzy, probably from drinking too much white wine at the pub.“Tell me how much you miss me.” His husky voice aroused my instincts. His fingers trailed down my waist and stroked just below my stomach. I'm like a crazy person. I don't know what's happening, but it's as if something is pushing me to surrender to him. My trembling right hand grabbed his hand and guided it to my pussy. My body stiffened as Leopo
Leopold POVI couldn't help but smile. It was challenging to describe my feelings. It was like being in heaven; right now, Serena was here, in my arms.I came to see Serena in the hope that she would forgive me. However, that bastard almost made me a murderer instead.I wouldn't have any regrets if I had to finish him off, considering how close he came to taking Serena's life. I shooed him away, not wanting him to ruin my happiness.I don't know how long I kept smiling like a madman. Since earlier, my morning's activity has been just watching Serena sleep in my arms.Serena was so beautiful. And I love her so much.“Babe,” I whispered as I kissed her smooth, mochi-like cheek.Serena looked at me with a sleepy expression. So adorable. How stupid of me to have wasted all this!“I still miss you.” I hugged her tightly, eager to show her some affection.She smiled a little. “It's been a long night. Aren't you tired?”I kissed her cute nose. “Don't underestimate my strength. I may be old,
Serena POVWhen he loved me back, why wasn't I excited?I should have been happy to hear Leopold declare his love. However, all the words of love and affection were stuck in my throat. My body obeyed his wishes, but my heart didn't follow suit.I let out a long sigh as I massaged my head, which was in a lot of pain. Lately, dizziness has been attacking me easily, and nausea often comes in the morning. Plus, my mood fluctuates for no apparent reason. I tried to chase away the bad thoughts by doing all the things I liked, but to no avail. “So tired.” I sighed softly while putting down the new dress design sketch I had just made this morning. Looking at the wedding dress design, I thought of my late mother. My mother's artistic blood runs deep in me.In the past, my late mother wanted me to become a designer. However, I couldn't realize her last dream. My father forced me to go to Stanford University so that he would have something to brag about in front of his colleagues.“Serena, are
Leopold POV“What are you doing here?” I hissed low as Amanda casually stood on Serena's porch. I couldn't tear my eyes away from Serena, who remained silent in her friend's arms.“I had to come here because it was so hard for me to contact you,” Amanda replied with a lopsided smile, invoking a strong desire to beat her up. Regret grew in my chest. How could I have ever fallen in love with this witch?“Can you two please leave our house? Our friend is not well, and it would be rude to make a drama here,” said the charcoal-haired woman who rose from her seat. Her gaze was sharp, reflecting the boredom of seeing the argument between Amanda and me.I glanced at Serena, looking for support, or at least understanding. However, Serena was silent. Everything felt chaotic in my head. “Sorry, I came for my girlfriend.”“Serena is not in good condition. Go home and take your woman away!”I sighed heavily. “That's why I wanted to calm Serena down.”“Go home, sir,” Serena cooed. I exhaled, walked
Leopold POVMeeting Amanda at an Italian restaurant created a storm of emotions in me. Walking through the door of the restaurant decorated with small lanterns, the scent of fresh pasta wafted through the air, provoking sweet and bitter memories of our time together. Our table is located in the corner of the room, lit by the soft glow of candles, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere.Amanda sat across the table with an expression that I couldn't quite place. Her usually bright, round eyes were now filled with unhidden emotions. Secretly, I wondered what she was going to say this time and what she wanted to achieve with this meeting.“How are you, Leo?” greeted Amanda in a voice that sounded colder than usual.“Fine,” I replied briefly, trying to remain calm even though I wanted this meeting to end immediately. “Of course you know that I didn't ask for this meeting for no reason,” she continued, her voice sounding firm.I nodded, waiting for her to open the conversation. The inevitabl
Serena POV I stared at the bedroom window with empty eyes, letting the twilight shadows play colors in the sky. Love shouldn't have grown between us in a relationship that was just floating aimlessly. I didn't blame Leopold because I had already trapped myself in the maze of false happiness called love. And I was a fool for hoping he would love me back. Why was I so naïve? “Serena, you really have no shame,” my regretful words pierced into the silence of the room. Never having a father figure in my life, I kept looking for a substitute for happiness in someone else. All my ex-boyfriends were much older than me. The first one was ten years older, and the last one was eight years older. I never liked being in relationships with younger men. I had always clung to the need for affection, but they could not fulfill it. They focused too much on their careers; unlike older men, they are calmer because they have gone through the pioneering phase of their careers. “Serena!” The stern vo
Leopold POVI walked down the quiet hallway to the waiting room of the psychologist's office. The clean white walls with a bit of ornate art were serene. It felt strange, but also comforting. This was a step I had to take if I wanted to break free from the shackles of marital trauma that kept haunting me.I felt my heartbeat quicken as I knocked on the glass door of the waiting room. A soft voice invited me in. In front of me, a middle-aged woman with a friendly smile looked at me.“Wow, you must be Leopold,” she said with a warm smile. “I'm Dr. Natalie. Come... come in.”I followed her into the counseling room with my heart pounding. It felt like I was opening the door to an old, hidden wound, and I had no idea what I would find behind it.Dr. Natalie sat in the chair opposite with her hands crossed on the table, her facial expression thoughtful.“I sincerely appreciate you having the courage to come here. Raymond called me last night and told me a bit about your problem,” she said
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