SERENA’S POVI was about to fire back a sharp retort when Cameron cut in smoothly. "She was with me. Got a problem with that? You really shouldn’t because you were with your girlfriend, enjoying her company. Saw you two getting cozy as you headed upstairs." Kaden's face flared crimson. "Back off, man. You don't know shit about me and her." Cameron just smirked, infuriating Kaden further. "All I know is she was wasted and upset. Good thing someone was around to take care of her properly." Their eyes were locked in a tense stand-off now. My head was spinning. "Alright, that's enough." I said firmly, stepping between them. "What happened last night doesn't matter. Kaden, I appreciate your concern but my night is really none of your business."He scoffed, clearly intoxicated by raging jealousy. "None of my business? I was worried about you.. what you might have thought..”My response was quick. "I just wanted a peaceful morning but clearly that's impossible with you two bickering. I do
SERENA’S POVI felt my heart racing and cheeks burning as I stammered, "Mom, how long were you standing there exactly?" She looked at me with concerned eyes, "Long enough to hear the raucous yelling but not make out what was being said. I am wondering what all the fuss was about between these two grown men." She shot a chiding look at Cameron and Kaden, who appeared to have calmed down a bit.I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Quick, I needed to come up with an explanation. "It was just a, uh, legal case thing at the company. Work stuff, you know how messy disputes can get." Mom furrowed her brows, clearly not fully convinced. "A legal case? Between you, Cameron and Kaden? What on earth is this case about that has the three of you arguing like that?" she pried.I shuffled on my feet anxiously, mind working frantically to think of a very believable lie. "It's just a property development plan we're working on together that hit a disagreement. But like I said, it's being handled
SERENA’S POV"So I take it you all have heard the news," I said with a sigh, setting my bag down heavily. My mother rose from the couch, hands clenched together tightly. "Serena, is it true what we saw on the news? You're defending that man?"I sighed, nodding as I hung up my coat. "Mom please,do not look at me like that. You know as well as I do he has a right to legal representation, guilty or not." Dan snorted derisively. "Please. That monster doesn't deserve rights. Did you forget what he's accused of? How could you represent that monster, Serena?Do you have any idea the things he's done? The people he's hurt?""I'm well aware of the charges," I replied, keeping my tone even. "Murder one. But it's precisely because of allegations this serious that competent counsel is needed the most. I have an obligation to see that due process is followed."Dan looked more irritated by the second."You think you can defend a ruthless man like that? He'll destroy you if you try. Get yourself out
KADEN’S POVEver since that night with Bianca, things hadn’t been great with Serena and I. I didn’t know if she just avoided me or she was genuinely choked with the stress of representing Richard Miller. Till now, I still didn’t understand why she was taking up the bastard’s case. I hoped she would at least give me a chance to explain myself one of these days. It was fucking killing me inside. When I drove in from work that evening, I swiped at my phone to see Bianca’s text requesting an urgent meeting. What could be so important that it couldn't wait? "We need to talk. I'm coming over." Nothing good ever followed an ominous message like that and I felt quite uneasy.When the doorbell finally rang, I swung it open prepared for the apocalypse. "Kaden, there's something I need to tell you," Bianca said without preamble. Her expression gave nothing away as she brushed past into the living room. "Alright, you're worrying me now. Just spit it out," I replied quickly."Relax, I have s
SERENA’S POVMy chest felt tight as I watched Bianca and Kaden leave my bedroom, closing the door behind them."Damn it," I muttered, hitting the mattress in frustration. I had cried more tears over him than any other man, and it was getting pathetic. I must have looked like a fool, crying like that in front of them. In front of Bianca. What was even wrong with me? I couldn't put my finger on it, the tears just kept flowing of their own. I hated showing any sign of weakness. I walked over to my en suite bathroom and looked at my puffy, red eyes in the mirror. I splashed some cool water on my face, trying to wash away the evidence of my episode. As the water dripped down my cheeks, my heart still ached with a pain I didn't fully understand. Where was this coming from?Ughhhhhhhhh!I took a few deep breaths, drying my face with a towel. I had to pull myself together. I couldn't let this...whatever this was continue affecting me. There was work to be done. When morning came, I was sh
SERENA’S POV "Friends, family, thank you all for being here to celebrate Kaden's marriage. For those who don't know me, my name is Serena and I've had the pleasure of knowing Kaden for some time now," I began.Remembering our first meeting at the Lodge mansion all these time, I continued."At first I thought he was such a mysterious person and it got me intrigued.In the days and months that followed, I got to witness firsthand Kaden's kindness, work ethic, and passion for his talent. I admire how gentle, calm and collected you are,Kaden, and I’m publicly thanking you for your support so far. Thank you for always being there for me, for actually being my …friend and uh…making me happy,”I gulped. Inwardly I wished I could say what I was really there for and pour out my heart but I still wasn’t even sure if he was in love with me.A public confession was definitely gonna do more harm than good and no way in hell was I embarrassing myself. Besides,that snake Bianca was crazy.“That is
SERENA’S POVI took a deep breath as I entered the courtroom, the heavy wooden doors creaking behind me. All eyes turned in my direction but I kept my gaze fixed straight ahead, focusing on the podium in front of the judge's bench. I had rehearsed what I needed to say dozens of times but it still felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest. After all these years, the truth was finally coming to light. Today was the final court hearing for Richard Miller.Richard Miller sat at the defendant's table, his hands cuffed in front of him, looking as smug and arrogant as ever. Just being in his presence again made my skin crawl but I calmed myself, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me shaken. I nodded respectfully to the judge and took my seat in the front row, arranged to have a clear view of the proceedings.Judge Wilson cleared his throat and began. "This court has reconvened to address new evidence presented in the cases of People vs. Richard Miller and the histor
SERENA’S POVLater that night after the celebration of the trial, I left my room in search of some warm milk I suddenly craved. And then I found Kaden lingering in the dining hall having a late snack. He spotted me and rose at once."Serena, wait - we need to talk," he insisted, closing the distance between us. I tensed, wishing to avoid just such a confrontation. "There's nothing to discuss, Kaden. Now if you'll excuse me-"But he blocked my path firmly. "No, we're not going to keep avoiding each other in this house. It's been months of this uneasy tension and I'm fucking sick of it."I sighed wearily. "What do you want from me? You're planning a wedding. Shouldn’t your focus be on that?” Frustration flared in his eyes. "I want the old Serena back, not this shadow you’ve become. We never even talk anymore because of this...this thing between us." "There is no 'thing,'" I retorted firmly, feeling a little uneasy at how close he was standing to me right now. "Please move aside."