Serena POVI had to drive Leopold back to the office. Our steps halted before the open entrance, greeting us with the usual aura of bustle. The surrounding air was tense, reflecting the commotion that had just taken place.The wound on Leopold's face glowed a red color that contrasted with his tan skin. The fight with Uncle Frederick made him look fragile, even though his body was still upright.Love can be an intoxicating poison, making people do things beyond reason. And love in the wrong place transforms into a disaster that destroys everything.Like others, I also got entangled in the same web of emotions. I should have been able to stay away from Leopold, but seeing his injuries made my heart tremble, forcing me to stay by his side.Uncle Frederick was waiting in the office lobby. Despite my hesitation, I couldn't avoid this meeting. When I arrived, the scene I encountered was unexpected: Uncle Frederick angrily attacked Leopold.“Why didn't you hit him back?” I asked, trying to
Leopold POV“Goddamn it!” I yelled, hurling the glass across the kitchen island, watching it shatter into a thousand pieces upon hitting the floor. It joined the shards of a beer bottle already broken from my previous outburst.Why do we have to mess everything up?I can't shake Serena from my mind. Her wounded expression was haunting me, her confession echoing in my head, refusing to be pushed away.“Argh…” I punched the wall, ignoring the blood oozing from my bruised knuckles, just another casualty of my rage. How did it come to this? I yanked at my hair, hoping desperately that this chaos was nothing but a nightmare from which I'd soon wake.Of all the people in the world, Serena was the last one I wanted to hurt. Yet tonight, I've managed just that.I never wanted Serena to love me. She shouldn't have fallen for me. She despises cheaters, and she knows I've been toying with Erna behind Amanda's back. Whatever the reasons, it still amounts to betrayal. It should have been enough t
Serena POV “Serena, I can never understand why you never want to exercise.”“Lazy,” I replied and shook my head, leaving Harry to roll his eyes in annoyance before finally leaving me alone.I really didn't have the energy to run. Even just getting through the day was too much for me.I wanted so badly to just curl up in bed, ignoring everything that required me to go to the office or do anything. But even lying in bed would only make me think of Leopold.Every corner of the room, every single thing in it—everything reminded me of him. I hated him. But ironically, I also missed him. It hurt me even more that he left like that, leaving me with a broken heart.“Come on, let's wait for Harry at the coffee café.” Sarah, coming over, tried to pull me out of my reverie.Nevertheless, in that instant, I regretted agreeing to Sarah's invitation. This park in the city center—every corner of it reminds me of Leopold. As I passed by the gym, I remembered the time Leopold helped me work out.No m
Leopold POVGabriel and Gracie, the twins, dominated my life from the moment I arrived at my parents' house. They became the center of my attention, drawing me into their busy routines. Take them to school, accompany Gracie to ballet lessons, and watch Gabriel play basketball. They were my savior from loneliness, my solace from the troubles I'd let slip away in California.But as time passed, the image of California haunted me more and more. The nights alone and the silence only invited memories that I wanted to hide. Nothing could prevent my mind from drifting to California, remembering Serena, and longing for her presence.As my eyes closed, Serena appeared in my mind. Even though distance separated us, her presence felt so real and so close.I couldn't ignore her piercing words, calling me a coward. That's right. I ran away, leaving her without a word. A cowardly act that is imprinted in my memory.“Can I sit here?”The stern voice broke the silence, and I looked up. My father pull
Serena POVI could hardly believe my eyes when I saw Maximus standing in front of my house. A quiet curse escaped my lips as soon as our eyes met. If only I had the courage to jump into a taxi and drive away from here.“Good evening, Serena,” he greeted, his voice calm yet igniting the embers of anger within me.Hearing his voice, I snorted in annoyance. “What is it again?”It is unclear to me why I was so fiery. Maybe later, when my heart was calmer, I would apologize to him for being the target of my anger.Maximus opened the car door, and I couldn't believe that my father was there waiting for me. “Let's get in. We have no more time,” Dad said in a stern tone, without looking at me.I wished I could change my clothes first, but Dad's gaze shot through me like an arrow.“No, you don't have to. No matter what you do, you're still like that,” he said, his voice full of judgment.Dad was supposed to be my source of strength, but this time, he'd only weakened me further. Reluctantly, I
Serena POV “What the hell are you doing?” Hardin looks at Dad. “Do you believe what he says?” “Kevin already explained the chronology of what happened. But why did you go so far?” My father asked Hardin back. “Because all I heard was a bullshit excuse. Kevin has been harassing Serena. And as an older brother, I am entitled to beat him to death if necessary.” I'm stunned on the spot, not in the least expecting Hardin to defend me. He's been so cold all this time. Hardin has never shown his feelings, not even to me. Even as a child, my father molded Hardin into a strong, eldest boy. He forced Hardin to do physical training to qualify as the best army graduate. He also forbade Hardin to show his feelings because, in his eyes, affection was a symbol of weakness. “We cancel this engagement plan. I don't want Kevin to marry Serena,” said Aunt Fany, who approached Kevin and gave me a hostile look. “Good because I wouldn't allow Serena to tie the knot with Kevin either,” Hardin replied i
Leopold POVIn my family, the tradition of exchanging gifts on the eve of our parents' wedding celebration has become part of our unforgettable childhood memories. The focus may now be on Gabriel and Gracie, but the memory of the rivalry between my sister and me lingers.It brings back memories of how we used to compete for the best, biggest, and most expensive gifts. Even though our parents were always fair and gave the same gifts. However, it's all just sweet memories that are imprinted in the mind.Spending a whole day seeking gifts was like tracing a trail of memories that flowed fast. My twin niece and nephew had written their wish lists clearly, like directions for a guardian angel. And that task fell to me.My younger sister, with all confidence, appointed me as the “guardian angel of the year” and entrusted me with the twins' wish list. So, without hesitation, I went from shop to shop, through the cold Swedish air, to collect the gifts they had been dreaming of. Despite the c
Serena POV“Carefree life. Happy with solitude!” I exclaimed as I raised my glass of white wine to cheers from Renesmee and Eloise. This was a new beginning for me. A new status as a single woman, free from relationships with any men.Eloise firmly persuaded me to go to the Eros Pub, trying to forget all the turmoil that was poisoning my heart. Renesmee, who was always spontaneous, unhesitatingly, agreed to Eloise's invitation. At first, I wasn't interested. Clubbing was boring. It was more comfortable for me to stay at home, cuddling my favorite cat.However, my two friends didn't allow that to happen. They pulled me out of bed, even waiting outside the bathroom door until I was done.Eloise forced me to wear one of the fancy dresses from my collection: Lorie Red Lace Cocktail Party Gowns Mini Glitter. It's a maroon mini dress that's extremely uncomfortable, as it reveals off my curves.But Eloise is busy polishing my face with alluring, glamorous makeup and applying a seductive red