When Serenity left the detention center, it was still early. She had two hours before picking up the children from the kindergarten, so she went to meet Clara.As Serenity approached Clara's store, she noticed the same black car she had seen last time. Parked in the dark corner just like last time, the man sitting inside had a good view of Clara's store. Serenity immediately recognized Wilson's car. Wilson had not dated in years. He had moved half the Birch Group to Solaria, and Serenity knew it was all for Clara. Some broken things could be mended, but not Clara and Wilson's broken relationship. If Wilson had not pushed Clara over the edge, causing all her misery, he could have been with Clara long ago. Serenity came to the store and saw Clara busy braiding some handsome bracelets. Serenity remembered making a bracelet like this as a child. She would turn ropes of different colors into bracelets. It had been quite popular among girls in her generation."Clara, why are you making
"Adopted?""Yeah, that family is quite complicated. The man remarried another woman after his wife died. The man has a daughter with his late wife and a son with his new wife. Later, he suddenly adopted a child, which is strange. He already has two children, but he adopted another child who's not blood-related," Clara said.Many people in the neighborhood knew the family's history. Clara had lived in the area for years, so she knew. Serenity's heart ached for Caden again. Was Caden not blood-related to his current family? He must be living a hard life in the family. Without his sister's protection, he might get kicked out of the family.What would he do if they abandoned him? Where could he go? An orphanage? Then wait for the next family to adopt him?Finding a good home for Caden would take a lot of work. Those looking for adoption would prefer a younger child. Caden was already old enough to remember things. On top of that, he was not very likable."I'm gonna check on the boy
Serenity stayed a little longer, accompanying the boy until it was almost time to pick up Micah and Jackie from kindergarten. When Serenity was about to leave, she told Caden, "Caden, I'm leaving. I'll see you again, okay?"The little boy simply ignored Serenity, almost as if he had never heard her.Serenity's expression changed, and her eyes dimmed. The child's reaction stung her a little bit. She felt a slight aching pain in her chest. It was like she was being forcibly separated from someone she should have been close to. The accompanying thought brought a sardonic smile to her lips. 'What was wrong with her?' She wondered. Caden was just a child she had met. She was a little saddened by the child's story, but it was strange she felt pain because of the child's attitude toward her!Calming herself, Serenity left the child and returned to Clara's store."Hey, what's wrong? You seem pretty concerned about the kid," Clara said, curious as to why Serenity had stayed so long with t
Wilson sat in the car, watching his son return from school. He saw Clara smiling softly at Yanny, the same smile she had shown him long ago.Wilson had destroyed everything with his own hands. Whenever he thought of the love and affection she had shown him before, the regret overwhelmed him. It hurt to have lost her love, especially after realizing how much he had loved her.Wilson stayed in the car, drowning in regret. The sky was getting dark, but he was still reluctant to leave. He just wanted to spend more time here. Wilson kept watching Clara and Yanny until the lights in the store went out. 'Has another day passed?' He thought, his eyes hooded. Every day he lived seemed like torture to him, but it had only been five years since he had learned the pain of not being able to get what he wanted.Smiling bitterly, Wilson wondered how many years more he would live in pain. Even his own flesh and blood would not call him 'Daddy' ever again. Just as Wilson was about to start the c
"I came to talk. You shouldn't come here again." Clara was very calm, a contrast to Wilson, who was still panicking silently. Wilson froze, and his face instantly paled. "I'm just watching from a distance. I'm not bothering you, am I? Is this not okay?""You should stop," Clara said. "Wilson, we shouldn't see each other again. It's better for us. We should have stopped meeting after the operation."Not see each other again?! These words stung Wilson, making him barely able to breathe. "I know… I made a big mistake before. I-I'm trying to make up for it. I know I can't fix everything, but Clara, I know I was wrong.""I beg you, please. Don't take away my only chance to see you! It's all I ask for!" Wilson pleaded in agony.This man was usually far more powerful than the people around him, but having no power against the woman he loved most, he had to beg to save his chances of seeing her, even from a distance."What's the point of doing this?" Clara said, her voice surprisingly c
Clara's words were killing Wilson on the inside."Will you stop showing up when I date someone else? If that's the case, I'll find another man," Clara said.Wilson was a bit unsteady on his feet. What did she just say? Did she really just say that? Would she… "Do you hate me that much?" he said with difficulty, forcing the words through his throat. "It's not that I hate you, but every time I see you around me, it reminds me of my nightmares. Wilson, do you know? You're already a nightmare to me. And now, I just want to forget all about it," Clara stated.Wilson slowly loosened his grip on her wrist and finally let go. Despair rolled through him, showing in his eyes. He dissolved wordlessly as he lost his only hope.Nightmare? He never knew. It turned out that he was just a nightmare to her. When she saw him, all she could think of was the pain she had suffered in the past!Looking at the trace of indifference and coolness written all over Clara's face, Wilson had a sudden feel
The taste of bitterness filled his mouth. His lips parted, yet he suddenly had no clue about what to say. Perhaps there were simply no words left between the two of them because no matter what he said, she would just end up not being willing to hear it.Wilson watched quietly as Clara turned away from him and walked away. He watched as the distance between the two of them grew and grew till at last, she disappeared into the little shop.He remained standing at the same spot, all alone. All that was left on his handsome face was an expression of deep sorrow.- It had been a while since Serenity had returned to Solaria. She had worked with her mentor at his law firm back when she was still in Latveria, and now, she felt the urge to get back to work in her old profession again.Micah and Jackie were both taking hobby classes on the weekend, so Serenity took the opportunity to go shopping with Jackson at the nearby mall during the two hours when the kids were busy. At the same time,
Jackson, on the other hand, had long gotten used to people's stares whenever he was out in public, so he paid no attention to it at all and just leaned down toward Serenity as he asked her, "Which flavors do you want to try? How about we just order a couple of slices for every flavor they've got?""No," she refused, "Don't! That's just too wasteful!"Although she knew that he could easily afford to buy the entire cafe, she still wished that he would not throw his money away like that just because he was rich."I'll just have the dark chocolate cake," she told him. "What about you?""Any flavor will do," he replied, having no particular preferences in regard to cakes and desserts. The only reason he was here was to accompany her since she wanted to try them.Serenity knew that Jackson did not have a sweet tooth, so she chose the blueberry cake for him. They were then served the two slices of cake. Serenity picked up the dessert spoon and took a bite of the dark chocolate cake. It