Chapter Four

Serena

It has been a fun night. I have never seen Henry so mad in my entire life. It is time to leave, though. The party still has some time, but leaving early is part of the plan. I want to make it seem like I am leaving with Conall because I can’t hold back anymore and need him. Our night doesn’t need to end, we can go for a drink somewhere or grab some food. It needs to seem like we are going home, together.

“I should say goodbye to a couple of people. Do you want to come with me?” he asks as we gather our things from the table.

“I would rather not. I will wait by the door for you.”

I have had enough of these people for one night. I came here and followed the plan. I would rather not deal with them for a second longer because I will be around them a lot while Conall and I are “dating”.

“I promise I won’t be long.” He smiles and pecks my lips before he disappears.  

Pivoting through the ground, I head to wait by the door. All eyes are on me once again. I can’t help but smirk to myself. It amuses me how many people I have pissed off and disgusted tonight. They have no idea I have only just begun.

As I wait, I feel eyes burn into me, and without looking, I know who it is. I glance up to find Henry watching me. He is standing with Felicity and some friends, who all seem to be in conversation, but he is too focused on me. I smile sweetly and wave at him. He quickly turns away. Stupid prick! His attention has been on me more than his fiancée tonight. Felicity has been avoiding me at all costs since our private conversation earlier in the night. She knows better!

“Serena.”

The sound of a familiar voice from behind makes me screw up my face. My ex-mother-in-law. I am surprised she has waited until now to come to me.

I turn to face her. “Yes?”

She glares at me, nostrils flaring, and eyes filled with anger. “How dare you show up here? You are not welcome. Why are you trying to ruin this for my son and his future wife? Haven’t you done enough damage?”

“Please, tell me what damage did I do? Your perfect son was the one having the affair with my best friend. He is the one who lied to everyone. As for you, you caused just as much damage with your hate train against me to take the heat off your son. So don’t you dare come at me with that bullshit! I am here because I want to be. I am here with Conall, and there is nothing you can do about it.”

“Don’t put all the blame on him. You obviously weren’t doing a good job of being his wife because if you were, he wouldn’t have looked somewhere else.”

“I did just fine as his wife, it was your son who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants, and to be honest, I am glad he did what he did because it means I am rid of him. Rid of you and your family. She is welcome to him because I am done. Conall is a better man. Oh, and if my being a bad wife is what you tell yourself to make your son’s cheating okay, then you must be a terrible wife because we all know your husband has been around the block a few times.” I say, smirking at the last part.

“You don’t know what you are talking about. Now, you are here acting like a whore. My Henry is better than Conall will ever be.” She snarls, her hands tightening at her sides.

I am sure she would love to hit me as much as Felicity wanted to because she was never a fan of mine.

“If I want to whore around, I will, and it is none of your business. Your Henry is a monster with a heart of stone who uses people for his pleasures. Conall must take after his mother because he is a good man, and your husband, his father, is not. It is time for you to turn and leave because I have had enough of you.”

“You better stay away from Henry and my family. I ruined you before. I can do it.”

A sly look takes over her face because she believes she has the upper hand.

I chuckle and step in closer to her. “Bring it on. You can try, but you will fail. But trust me when I say this: I can easily ruin you, your family, and your business. I suggest you tread lightly because you no longer have the upper hand. I do. I am back, and you should get used to it. You and your family took so much of me, you aren’t getting to take any more.”

She stares at me, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. Just like Henry and Felicity, she expected me to be timid, not answer her back and take her shit without saying a word.

“What is the matter, Clarissa? Did you think you would come over here and I would hang my head in apology and leave? I will never be that woman again.”

“You should be disgusted with the person you have become, Serena.”

I open my mouth to reply, but before I can, Conall appears at my side. “No, she shouldn’t be. She should be proud.”

“Conall.” She hisses, her tone full of hatred and venom.

“Nice to see you,” he chuckles, “Any way, please, excuse us. I can’t wait any longer to get my hands on her. Have a fun night with your lying, cheating son and husband, oh, and a daughter-in-law who is a piece of shit. Bye-bye now.”

Conall doesn’t give her a chance to say another word. He reaches for my hand and guides me out the door, onto the street.

“God, I hate that woman! She never liked me. She never believed I was good enough for her precious boy. It felt so good standing up to her after all the years of keeping my mouth shut around her.”

I was always too afraid to stand up to her. Why, I don’t know, perhaps because I wanted to keep my mother-in-law happy, but I don’t need to worry about that now.

“I bet it felt good. The woman is horrible! The entire family is.”

“I couldn’t have said it better myself. Do you want to go for another drink or find somewhere for food?” I ask.

“Food sounds good, but I am fine with either.”

“I could eat. Cheeseburger and fries?” I suggest.

Conall slips his arm around me. “A woman after my own heart. I know the perfect place.”

“Lead the way, handsome.” I say brightly.

I did everything I had to tonight, now I can enjoy the rest of my night with Conall.