I Slapped Serena

POV: Harper

I guess she doesn’t know that Ethan has already apologized and explained their history to me. So I am not bothered by her words actually, just that, I have to counteract her accusations because a few people around could hear her and I don’t want it on record that I tried to kill Emma, my husband’s ex-lover. It would ruin my reputation if everyone thought that I was a vindictive lover.

If only Ethan was close by to see her talking so rudely to me. He just stepped into his home office for a quick meeting with a business partner. She sure knows when to pick on me, she always waits for him to leave my side before she comes over to antagonize me.

“Stop making up stories, Serena. I never hurt your sister and I never intended to. I only went to see her because I was curious about her relationship with Ethan. But now that I know the truth, I won’t bother her anymore.” I responded firmly, surprised by my own voice. I saw the fierceness in her eyes diminished when I told her that Ethan had explained everything to me.

“You can’t tell yourself anything you chose to make you sleep better at night. But I can see through you, Harper, and I know that you were up to no good. You were going to hurt my sister if Ethan and I didn’t show up on time to stop you. That is the truth, a d nothing you say can change it.” She told me fiercely, coming closer to glare at me, making me feel her.

“Well, you can believe whatever you like, Serena. I won’t banter words with you. Thanks for coming to celebrate our unborn child, do have fun and enjoy the party.” I told her, smiling warmly and walking away from her. I could feel her heated gaze on me and I realized that she must have been the one lurking in the dark all this while, watching me.

This means that amidst the joy of our announcement at the party and while everyone else was celebrating with us, she was busy keeping watch on me. Unknown to everyone, Serena lurked in the shadows. Hidden from view as she watched with a mix of hatred and jealousy as everyone applauded Ethan and I, celebrating our happy news.

In that moment of celebration, I realized that all I have achieved with this little talk is to make Serena's feelings of bitterness grew stronger, contrasting sharply with the joy surrounding Us. She did not move an inch from the spot I left her. And this time, she wasn’t trying to hide it anymore.

She is openly looking at me, glaring daggers at me. She stood off to the other side, her arms crossed tightly over her chest in a defensive posture. Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes as she watched the spacious grin on my face and the spark of adoration in Ethan’s gaze. Everyone reveled in their happiness, celebrating us. But, in that moment, Serena’s envy could be seen on her face s it twisted her insides like a thorn.

I tried to ignore here, I really did. But how can you ignore someone who is not hiding the fact that she hates me. She was not speaking to anyone at the party. But that’s understandable, considering the fact that she had no friends or family around except for Ethan and her sister. I tried walking through the crowd to avoid her. I pretended to be interacting with some guests and celebrating with some friend’s while I moved away from her, putting some distance between us.

“Going somewhere?” a voice stopped me as I moved away faster in a bid to get away from Serena. I turned and saw Liam and Kate standing in front of me, holding flowers and gift boxes. I have never been happier to see my friends, I felt so excited that I threw my arms around them, hugging them so tightly.

“Someone looks so happy to be back home,” Kate comments, winking at me.

“Oh, stop it already. I’m just happy to see familiar friendly faces for a change. I missed you two, especially when I was being stalked by that weird bitch, Serena.” I told them, smiling sadly.

“A stalker?

Where is she?

I’m going to teach her how to mind her damn Business. Where the hell is she?” Kate asks furiously as she turned around, looking for anyone that looks like my stalker. It’s s good thing that she hasn’t met Serena yet. It would have ruined my party if she pounced on her like she intended. I looked at the direction that I’d left her, but she wasn’t there anymore.

I guess she decided to retreat and hide in the shadows as usual. I could still feel her eyes on me, so I know she is still lurking around, watching me. She never shows up when there are people around to defend me. She sneaks around, hiding and waiting like a predator that is about to attack.

“What am I missing?

Who is this Serena and why is she stalking you?” Liam asks me, pulling me away from the crowd to a quiet spot. I pulled Kate along because I don’t trust her to stay calm and not cause trouble. She could try to find Serena on her own and create an embarrassing scene that would ruin our party.

“This is not a joke, Harp. If you have a stalker, you need to speak up now. You could get hurt or even worse. Are you in danger, Harper, talk to us, we are your friends.” He urged me, holding my hand and looking into my eyes.

“Come on, Liam. I’m not a kid anymore, I can look after myself, thank you very much.” I told him, laughing at his serious face.

“I mean it, guys, it’s not that serious. I only called her a stalker because she seems to always have her eyes on me. But she is not a stalker, she is Ethan’s friend and he care about her. Trust me guys, if I am in trouble, you will be the first to know.” I assured them.

“Good, I’m glad you are okay. Now I can sit back and enjoy the party,” Kate let out excitedly. We sat together and partied like we always do, just that I couldn’t drink with them because of my baby. I could only take water and it’s so fucking annoying.

“Have you made up your mind about my job offer?” Liam asks me.

“Yes, Liam, I’ll consider your offer. Just give me a few days to put a few things in place.” I told him. I know Liam, he will not give up until I give him an answer. I really want to get busy and stop thinking about Emma and Serena always. Working for him would be good for me, so I agreed to do it. They left after a few hours and I stayed by Ethan’s side dancing and partying until he went in for another meeting.

“I will be with you in a few minutes, I promise.” Ethan told me as he headed back to his office for another meeting. I was already tired and I was going to retire for the night when I got cornered by Serena who seems to have been watching me all night long.

“You know, if you weren’t going to celebrate with us like everyone else, you should not have bothered coming,” I told her sternly. Her attitude is becoming annoying already. I don’t knowhow long I can keep being calm.

“You can be rude to me now, Harper. You have earned it, after all, you are the first to have his child growing in your womb. Just be careful, Harper. Pregnancy isn’t always a blessing. You might not be so lucky to have this child.” She told me, her face full of smiles, mimicking mine. My smile faltered as I turned to Serena, shocked by her choice of words.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked her in shock, my eyes filled with anger.

“im just saying that you need to be careful. You know, things don’t always go as planned. Pregnancy is a delicate state, and not everyone gets to celebrate the birth of their child. Accidents happen always, miscarriages are inevitable sometimes. You just can’t tell…” Serena whispered, the animosity in her tone undeniable.

I’ve had enough of her taunting and cynical comments. In one swift movement, I slapped Serena hard across the face, hitting her so hard that she staggered backwards. The room fell silent, the comments and cheers dissolving into shock and confusion.

“Don’t you dare say that to me!

How can you suggest such rubbish to me, how can you wish my unborn child dead, are you insane?” my voice trembled, a mix of pain and fury fueling her words. As Serena rubbed her cheek, feigning hurt, Ethan stepped in, anger firing in his eyes.

“What is going on here, why are you two causing a scene here?” Ethan asked furiously.

“I only came to celebrate with you, and I asked Harper to be careful now that she is pregnant. What did I do wrong that she had to also me!” Serena cried, faking tears.

“You said mean words to me, Serena!

You suggested that I could lose my child!

Why would you say something like that, why do you wish my child dead?” I screamed at her, earning gasp of shock from the crowd.

“I never said that!

Yu totally misunderstood me, Harper. I would never wish Ethan’s child dead. I only advised you to take it easy on the house chores and other things you do. I was only trying to help, I didn’t mean to offend you with my words Harper. I’m so sorry, I didn’t man it that way.” She sobbed, burying her face in her palm and sobbing hysterically.

“She hit me so hard because she hated me. I mean it that way, I just advised you to be careful. Where did I go wrong?” she asks continuously, sobbing so hard that I wanted to hit her again and again.

“I’m sorry if she offended you, my love. Did you hurt yourself, are you feeling okay?” he asks me, pulling me into his arms for a kiss.

“I’m fine now, my love. I feel a bit weak, I just need some rest and I’ll be okay.” I assured him, forcing out a smile to reassure him that I’m okay.

“Go upstairs, I’ll be there with you shortly.” He told me calmly, kissing my forehead. As I walked up the stairs, I could hear him scolding Serena angrily.

“What’s wrong with you, Serena? You’re not making this any easier, why are you causing problems for me?” he yelled at her, dragging her outside the house to reprimand her.

“Fine, take sides with your wife as usual!

I’ll go!

I’ll go away and leave your happy family alone.,” she replied, sounding offended.

“I have no family, I thought we were like family. You promised to be there for me and my sister. Now you treat me this way because I advised your wife. But remember what you owe me and the promises you made to Emma and I.” she let out angrily, acting like a victim.