(Serena's POV)I sipped the bubble tea in front of me as I gazed out the expansive window from the Sweetgreen shop. I'm on the second floor of the King of Prussia Mall. The ambiance was relaxed and extravagant which settles my mood in balance. Thankfully, the shop has lesser people wandering around than the usual day.Suzy called me this morning and plan to meet her here. She wants me to accompany her to the hospital. At first, I was so anxious, thinking she will really abort the baby but she just laugh at me and said she wouldn't do that. She just blurted out that because she was not in her right mind.Of course, I believe Suzy will really not do that.Marcus dropped me here ten minutes ago. He was forcing me to let Kevin watch over me. I'm not a little kid that needed a chaperone. Of course, he let me win our argument.While waiting for Suzy to arrive and enjoying my time alone, someone sits in the opposite chair.I was startled to see Uncle Gregor's profound face, darting at me wit
(Serena's POV)I'm patiently leaning on the sofa, waiting for Suzy to finish dolling on the bridal gown she chooses. We are in a boutique, together with Suzy and her mother, Aunt Alyssa, for a wedding gown fitting. Suzy dragged me here since she can't take her mother on her own. Does she think I can take her mother? It's so damn awkward and uncomfortable here.She was browsing in a pile of catalogs for the perfect wedding gown for Suzy to wear on her special day, while I was a few distances away from her, trying to avoid contact with her. The same with her, ignoring my presence and treating me like an invisible human being.I don't really want to be in a room with her, especially, when Marcus is not around. It's difficult to gain confidence when you didn't have a backup behind you. But I can't turn Suzy's pleading away because she doesn't like being with her mother either.I don't understand why their mother-and-daughter bond broke off.However, I choose to ignore her too. I'm not su
(Serena's POV)After lunch, Suzy wants to shopping with me. Since Marcus is here, he will also accompany us and Suzy felt annoyed. She wants this day a girl's day out but her cousin is tagging along. These two have a love and hate relationship which I adore the most.Looking out the car window, small crystals have slowly fallen from above. It's raining.The rain came steady and cold against the windshield and rattled on the roof of the car as Marcus's Ferrari entered the parking lot of King of Prussia Mall. Suzy really likes this place to do shopping. And I'm starting to love this place also.We jerk inside the mall as Marcus and I followed Suzy behind. She ran from one store to another as if she had never been in the outside world for a long time. I'm used to seeing her like this but the man beside me is not into shopping.I saw him massaging his temple while glaring at Suzy but she must not see her cousin now, killing her back with a death glare."Will you be careful? For god sak
(Marcus's POV)I am in my office, busy with the documents when the door suddenly opened. It was Lance. He looks so nervous while holding the hanger of a suit in his hand. His face tells me everything about what was going on at the convention hall downstairs. My presence is needed there.I am not supposed to attend the annual party like I always do but Uncle Gregor warned me to at least showed my face to our people. Sighing, I massage my temple while nodding to Lance. He immediately dashed towards me and forced me to put on the clothes he brought.This is really a pain in the ass.I still need to get home as I miss my Siri and my little bean.While changing, a smile crossed my lips as I thought of our unborn child.I'm going to be a father.The excitement in my chest was about to burst when I first saw the pregnancy test but at the same time, my fears at Siri's condition made it worst. I just don't know how to handle things. To be honest, her illness and being pregnant are both risk
(Serena's POV)It's a big day for Suzy and Nick. Their wedding day.Aunt Alyssa moved their wedding date as soon as possible while Suzy's stomach was not yet growing. They can't handle the judgmental eyes and tongues of their acquaintances if they find out Suzy got pregnant before marriage. Aunt Alyssa and Uncle Gregor's reputation is all that they protecting. Aren't they ashamed of their daughter?Sighing, I look around my surroundings.The wedding is held at the historic chapel at Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, Texas. Nick's family live here for a long time and it's quite near to their ancestral house. To be honest, the ambiance of the place created the perfect environment to bring European style to life in the US. The sunbaked bell tower and natural landscaping reminded me of a lovely couple standing in as bride and groom of Barcelona, the city where they met and fell in love. I look around, looking for Marcus. He left me here at our respective seats. He said he will say hi to h
(Serena's POV)My eyes were fixated at Marcus and Frieda's direction, digging my grilled peach-wrapped shaved Iberico ham with a parsley-pepita pistou on a heart skewer, cucumber-mint gazpacho with smoked paprika seared shrimp and pimiento crema, and heirloom tomato, Castel Vetrano olive, and aged manchego croustade and a lemon juice.Definitely, I'm starving.They were giggling, touching, or hitting each other's shoulders while talking about something I don't know.Definitely a show-off.People might think something is going on between those two.Yes, I'm upset but I put my trust in Marcus.Only an idiot would do such a thing with a massive crowd.I concentrated on the food that was in front of me. I don't want to waste the blessings freely given to me. I continued digging in the shrimp without glancing at those traitors. But I was startled that someone unfamiliar sat in my opposite seat.It's a not-so-gorgeous man, wearing a black Panther suit. He seems enjoying the wine in his hand
(Serena's POV)Shutting my eyes closed as the cold seeped through my three layers of clothing, attacking seams and zipper tracks and spots of thin insulation. The exposed skin on my face felt as if it had been touched with lit cigarettes while standing still in front of the great mahogany door."Serena, what are you doing here, it's cold outside!" I was startled by Nana's voice behind me. She was standing at the door, carrying a blanket before she strides in my direction and put the blanket on my shoulder, covering my body from the cold air."I'm waiting for Marcus," I said before fixing the blanket on me. It's getting colder or was that only my heart?Winter has come but here I am not enjoying the coolness of the atmosphere. Marcus is late for our dinner again. This is the third time he was late for our supposed planned dinner out together.I would understand if he's busy at work but he didn't even inform me that the dinner is cancelled again."You can wait inside." Nana leads me to
(Serena's POV)I woke up when Marcus slowly got on the bed and lie down behind me. I let him and pretended to be asleep until his arms wrapped around my body. His minty fragrance is something I yearn for and long the entire day. Now that I feel his warmth, it feels like I really did miss him so much. I need his warmth, his presence, his care, and his love. I'm not sure why I'm acting this way but I feel as though I need to see him before the end of this day.After a few minutes, I heard his sleeping snore. I have this urge to turn around, but as soon as I saw his peaceful countenance, my heart softened. He looks exhausted.I wrapped my arms around him, snuggling my bare face to his neck, inhaling his fragrance. He didn't take a shower as his skin still feels sticky because of sweat but it doesn't matter to me.I feel apologetic for my sudden actions earlier. Just as I realized that I'm being unreasonable, accusing him of doing something that he would never do. •••Standing by the b
(Serena's POV)Then our wedding came. Everyone we know was invited and ecstatic about the wedding of the century. Suzy and Nick came before heading to Australia. They are temporarily staying at our house since Nick is avoiding his parents. So he sold off his condominium and decided to start with Suzy in the mansion.As for Sarah Fergus... Yes, she's my real mother. I accepted her with all my heart. And she's here now, taking care of me about what I need for my big day.She's so excited and cannot contain her happiness that we met before I married Marcus for the second time.Sunlight shone through the high windows of the church's bridal suite, lighting dust particles in the air like tiny flickers of gold. Nausea swirled in my belly, and I pressed a hand to my stomach and tried to breathe through it.It's our second wedding but I'm fucking nervous.I suddenly felt weird. I covered my mouth as nausea traveled up my throat."What's wrong?" Mom asked.I immediately hopped from my chair a
(Serena's POV)My hand was trembling while impatiently sitting in the car with Marcus. My heart was pounding furiously and I could not calm my nerves down due to nervousness. I'm actually contemplating whether to accept the DNA test with Mrs. Fergus but now that it's here, why not give it a try?Upon hearing Marcus say that she is my biological mother seems unrealistic for me. I did not expect that we would be blood-related or he could find my mother this early.I actually did not long for a mother but the little nervousness with a small excitement inside my chest was unexpected too.Before we could perform a DNA test, Marcus set up a meeting with Fergus. I'm also curious about her and my biological father. Marcus said that it seems Mr. Fergus is not my father.I really need answers.We arrived at the restaurant where Marcus settled an appointment with Fergus.Fergus is new in the business industry. They were from the Philippines and as their business was going well, they planned to h
(Marcus's POV)On our way back home, Siri rested her head on my chest as our fingers intertwined. Since she does look sobered now, I reprimanded her for clubbing with Suzy. I know she only wanted to comfort Suzy in this way since Suzy only relieved her stress by spending money on expensive kinds of stuff and liquors.Despite her efforts to comfort Suzy and calm her down, it did nothing for her.Actually, Nick visited me at my office to talk about Suzy and his parents. That's why I tag him along to fetch my wife and his wife, a drunkard.And thankfully, we're right in time. The couple needs to talk and seeing Suzy still has the energy to catfight, she's sobered enough to talk normally with her husband."Will she be okay?" Siri suddenly questioned. And I know who she meant by that."Hmm.""What if they will ask for a divorce this time?"Hearing the word divorce gives me a pain in my chest. I know one of them will be miserable, or both of them will if things go awry. "It's up to them.
(Serena's POV)Strobe lights, loud music from the speaker, waiter, and waitresses dressed skimpily with glowing trays of drinks, shots, and bottles of booze lined up at the counter bar, the smell of sweat and smoke wafting off our clothing.My nose crinkled when smoke invaded my nostrils.With the last shot from my beer, I took a glance at Suzy who was dancing with a group of people we didn't know. She's having fun. It's clearly evident on her smile that doesn't leave her face the very first step we stride inside the bar.I actually left a message to Marcus to fetch us two hours after we arrived here. I purposely didn't let Suzy bring her car for the reason that we would be both intoxicated once we exited this building.I've been eyeing Suzy the whole time. She's swaying her hips with the hip music in the background while carrying a glass of tequila. I predicted that it would be messed up and difficult for her to wake up tomorrow.It's her punishment. I let her enjoy tonight and prepa
(Serena's POV)The next morning, I decided to meet Cassandra and apologize for suspecting her of something horrible. After she found out my thoughts about her, having a hidden relationship with Marcus, she cracked up and couldn't believe her ears.In the end, she shared with me the plan she had with Marcus about the surprise wedding. Marcus decided to move earlier the wedding date which is before Christmas.After the discussion with Cassandra, she bid farewell as she needs to attend something important.I stayed in the restaurant, eating my croissant and milk tea. I've had my breakfast earlier but my stomach won't back off to the food in front of her. To be honest, I've been wondering if Suzy has already eaten breakfast. She was so damn wasted last night, even wailing when Marcus dropped her on her bed. She said she's nice but why do people keep hurting her?She was being dramatic last night and I ended up sleeping with her in the guest room. She wouldn't let go of my dress and demand
(Serena's POV)As Uncle Gregor continued throwing hurtful words, I slowly became uncomfortable and my hands began to tremble but I was more concerned about Marcus, seeing his reaction to his Uncle's attitude.Despite how uncomfortable it was, Marcus was almost losing it, and needed to calm him down so I held onto his hand which he had clenched into a fist.As soon as Marcus noticed my warm hand, his fist slowly loosely unclenched before glancing at me. It was only after his blue eyes met mine, I lightly shook my head as a sign for him to take it easy. He slowly calmed his nerves down as a middle-aged man approached us."Mr. Storm.""Nice seeing you again, Gregor and Marcus's fiancee, but Marcus...""Yes?" Marcus's voice seemed relaxed now."Grab a drink with me," said Mr. Storm as he tapped Marcus on the shoulder. "There's someone else I'd like you to meet.""Of course," Marcus said with confidence, then looked over at me. I nod to him to let him go, gesturing to him I'm going to be
(Serena's POV)Hearing his demand made my blood boil in rage. He only thinks about his relationship with Becker, not the condition of his only daughter."She's your daughter, not mine. Take her with you nicely. If she won't, I will stop you from planning to meet those two." Marcus spoke out with his gritted teeth."Cut the bullshit and drag her here now!""They have already come up with a decision. They are adult enough to make a decision. It's their marriage, leave them alone. Isn't it enough that you forced those two to tie the knot unwillingly? What kind of parent are you."Unable to hear him nonchalantly express himself, I abruptly ended the call and dropped the phone on the bed. Marcus didn't complain as he only buried his face in his hands with a heavy sigh.I know Suzy only now wanted to be with Shaine. Marcus let her stay here for the sake of her well-being. She's torn enough to live alone. At least here, we are with her to help her get through her troubles.I rested my chin o
(Marcus's POV)When morning came, I opened my eyes and slowly dropped my head to the side to watch the beauty next to me. Siri had only covered half her lower body, leaving her upper body exposed as she lay on her side.Wanting to get the hair that covered her face out of the way, I stretched my hand but right when it reached her, she groaned and held onto it."Good morning, gorgeous," I said, having an even deeper connection with her after our passionate night together after a while.I just couldn't believe that she thought I cheated on her.When she opened her eyes and tried to get closer to my body, she hissed at the soreness all over her body. I jokingly pointed out that had she been working out like me, she wouldn't have felt that way. Because of my joke, I get slapped on my chest.I then moved my face closer and kissed her on the cheek. She closed her eyes and held onto my neck. The joy of seeing her in my arms brings a smile to my countenance."Last night was beautiful," I said
(Serena's POV)His hands are all over my body as I grip his face, causing our tongues to intertwine in a wonderful dance. His chest was covered by all of my hands. He kissed me from the top of my cheek to the base of my neck. His hot breath and the gentle caress of his lips drove me mad. They make contact with my neck and start burning. While giving me harsher and more intense kisses, he slid his fingers over my hair.A moan erupts from my mouth.His other hand slides around my waist and pulls me close to his addictive-scented body. He feathered kisses on my shoulders and in my hair. It was slow and soft, comforting in ways that words would never be.When there was no more room between us, I slid my fingers down his spine and pulled him closer till our breaths mixed and I could feel his heart racing against my chest. The fact that I could make him feel that way made my insides bounce with joy. I separate myself and inhale quickly and shallowly. My insides caught fire at the way he loo