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

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 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

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

Serena POVLeopold pushed me to the kitchen island. He flipped me over and pushed me down onto the counter.As soon as I kissed him back, all my defenses came crashing down. When Leopold wrapped his tongue around mine, I let instinct take over.No more tender kisses.Leopold kissed me hard, reminding me of his kisses that I had always longed for. I open myself up even more, giving Leopold the opportunity to do whatever he wants.“Fuck, Serena. You're so hot. I miss you, baby.” Leopold collapsed on top of me. “I really, really miss you.”“Yes,” I said with difficulty. My head felt dizzy, probably from drinking too much white wine at the pub.“Tell me how much you miss me.” His husky voice aroused my instincts. His fingers trailed down my waist and stroked just below my stomach. I'm like a crazy person. I don't know what's happening, but it's as if something is pushing me to surrender to him. My trembling right hand grabbed his hand and guided it to my pussy. My body stiffened as Leopo