Dinner

Poppy’s expression shifted instantly—surprise, confusion, and something else Serena couldn’t quite place.

"Yes! He won’t!" she blurted. "I went to ask for a divorce agreement, but he kept stalling, refusing to give me one!"

Serena crossed her arms and gave her a sidelong glance. “Then maybe you should go back and talk to him. It’s late, and honestly? There’s no point dragging this out anymore. If he isn’t tired of the games, I certainly am.”

Poppy’s face darkened. After a sharp glare, she tossed the skirt aside and stormed off.

Serena caught it just before it hit the floor.

As she watched Poppy retreat, she couldn’t help but add, “Oh, what a beautiful skirt. If you don’t want it, I’ll happily take it!”

Just then, a saleslady approached. She’d just finished helping a group of customers and now turned her attention to Serena with a polite bow.

“Ma’am, the mermaid skirt you’re holding is one of the key pieces from our new season. The lines and silhouette are incredibly flattering, especially for your figure. Would you like to try it on?”

Serena smiled, clearly pleased. “Yes, I’d love to. A skirt this pretty—how could I resist?”

---

Evening. The Blazes estate.

A grand crystal chandelier, at least three meters tall, cast a dazzling glow across the room.

Under its light, Bram and Henry sat sipping wine and chatting. Xavier sat nearby, clearly distracted. During a pause in conversation, he finally asked, “Uncle Bram, has Serena still not arrived?”

Bram waved a hand. “She called earlier—said she’d come on her own. I told her dinner starts at six-thirty. It’s past six now, so she should be here soon.”

Xavier tapped his fingers on the glass, trying to hide his restlessness.

This dinner had been a condition for agreeing to join X Corp, something his father had long pushed for. If Serena didn’t show up, he’d lose that leverage—and more.

Sensing his mood, Henry cleared his throat and said sharply, “Xavier, your uncle rarely has time for these gatherings. As the younger generation, you should know how to show some respect. What kind of example are you setting, sulking like this?”

Xavier understood immediately—his father was warning him.

Swallowing his frustration, he raised his glass and offered Bram a slight smile. “Uncle, I was being thoughtless. Please forgive me—I’ll make it up to you.”

Bram chuckled and waved it off. “It’s fine, really. You grew up right in front of me—almost like a second son. I wouldn’t fuss over something so small.”

Then he turned to Henry, voice softening with nostalgia. “Time really does fly. Xavier’s grown into such a fine young man. If only Serena hadn’t been so stubborn… the two of them could have—”

“Alright, alright,” Henry laughed, cutting him off. “We’re here to enjoy dinner, not dwell on the past. Come, drink up!”

Realizing he’d said too much, Bram raised his glass again and let the topic drop.

Xavier, however, felt a bitter pang. It was obvious—his father wanted nothing more to do with Serena. And if Henry had his way, Xavier wouldn’t be allowed near her either.

Still, he straightened his back and forced the doubt from his mind.

Serena would leave Clint soon. Once the divorce was finalized, nothing would stand in the way—not her status, not his father's disapproval.

He just needed to hold on a little longer.

Loving Serena had become second nature. It was in his blood now, something he couldn’t just switch off. She wasn’t just a dream anymore—she was the foundation of everything he believed in. If that dream collapsed, he wasn’t sure he could survive it.

As he sat lost in that thought, light footsteps echoed through the hall.

Then a familiar voice, full of laughter: “Uncle Blaze!”

Xavier’s head snapped up.

Serena stepped into view, wearing a pale lilac suit that hugged her figure in all the right places. Her makeup was fresh and flawless, her hair styled to perfection. She walked with a confident grace, her expression playful and radiant.

She looked... stunning.

But what struck Xavier most was the contradiction—there was something pure about her, almost innocent, despite the bold elegance she wore so effortlessly.

The phrase pure desire flashed in his mind. He’d always thought it was a silly term—something made up by men who idealized what they couldn’t have.

But now, seeing her, it felt like that phrase had been coined just for her.

With each step, her hips swayed just enough to drive him mad. Heat flushed through him, and he had to swallow hard to keep his composure.

Serena, of course, had no idea what he was going through.

She came to a stop behind him and gave Henry a polite nod, her voice warm. “Uncle Blaze, it’s been a while.”

“Serena’s here!” Henry greeted her with a wide smile. He looked her over, his expression friendly but calculating.

Then he turned to Bram with a chuckle. “She looks even more beautiful than the last time I saw her—seems to be getting younger by the day.”

Bram grinned, a trace of pride slipping through. “You’re flattering her too much. Say one nice thing, and she’ll already be acting smug. Say any more, and she might float right out of here.”

“I’m just being honest,” Henry replied with a light laugh.

“She’s my daughter—I know her best,” Bram said. “She’s just average. But Xavier here, now he’s the one who’s grown into a real head-turner. Put him in a crowd, and no one else stands a chance.”

“…”

***