Chapter 21
Seraphina silently sipped her water, keeping her thoughts to herself.
Barbara gently wrapped an arm around Seraphina and said, “Sweetheart, take a break, alright? Don’t let people or things that aren’t worth it mess with your peace. The ones who truly love you will feel your pain, you know?”
Seraphina didn’t respond. But in her mind, she kept repeating. The ones who truly love me… Yeah, the ones who truly love me would feel my pain. They wouldn’t just stand by and watch me become a laughingstock.”
Suddenly, her phone buzzed. She picked it up and saw a message from Clarence: [Come home now.]
Without a second thought, she replied: [Okay.]
When Seraphina arrived at the apartment, Clarence wasn’t there yet. Judy greeted her with a warm smile. “Ms. Johnson, what would you like for dinner?”
“I’m skipping dinner,” Seraphina replied with a faint smile. Judy, I’m just here to pack my things.”
Judy didn’t say much but just smiled.
She glanced around, making sure she hadn’t missed anything. Her gaze fell on the expensive laptop sitting on the desk–the first gift from him.
At that time, it was a timely gift, and she was genuinely touched, thinking he cared about her. But now, she realized it was just a small token from a man to his kept woman, like tossing a grape to a canary. She had been so unsophisticated and naive that a small gift had been enough for her to hand over her heart.
Of course, she wasn’t going to take it with her. Slinging her backpack over her shoulder, Seraphina was ready to leave, but just then, the door opened.
A faint scent of mint wafted in. Clarence stood at the doorway, tall and imposing, but with a chilling coldness about him. His face was blank, but when his eyes landed on her backpack, his expression shifted ever so slightly, only to grow even colder
He walked toward her. The sunlight streaming in from the window seemed to follow him, wrapping him in a golden glow, making him dazzling and awe–inspiring
There was a time when Seraphina had been careful around Clarence. Seeing him like this, so breathtakingly perfect, she would’ve been too shy to even look him in the eye.
But now, she straightened her back and stared directly at him as he walked step by step closer.
“All packed?” he asked.
Seraphina got it. He was here to rush her out. Good thing she had the foresight to pack up first, It would’ve been so humiliating if he had been the one to kick her out
“Yeah, she replied.
“Good, then let’s go,” Clarence said, reaching out to grab her wrist. “Sharon made your favorite Buffalo wings. Now that the exam is over, you can finally eat something spicy.”
“Wait, Sharon? He’s taking me to his villa? Just moments ago, he was coldly watching Catherine and me take selfies with tears, and now he’s acting like nothing happened, expecting me to just go along with him. This man is impossible to figure out. Does he really think I’m his pet, and he can ignore me whenever he wants?‘ she wondered
13:30 Tue, Oct 29 BGB.
Chapter 21
A sharp pain flickered through Seraphina’s heart. She pulled her hand free from Clarence’s grip.
That move made Clarence’s brow furrow, his expression darkering. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice low, like he was annoyed that his favor wasn’t being met with the usual enthusiasm.
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Seraphina didn’t say anything, but her grip tightened on the strap of her backpack. Summoning her courage, she finally met his gaze and stood firmly like a warrior, “Mr. Vanderbilt, I’m not going to the villa with you.”
Clarence’s eyes narrowed as he stared at her, his tone icy. “Don’t be stupid.”
Seraphina let out a cold laugh. “Stupid? So in his eyes, I’m nothing more than a pet. He throws me a bone, and I’m supposed to wag my tail in gratitude. If I don’t, he’ll take it all back. Does he think his money can buy my last shred of dignity? Does he really think I’m that obedient, that easy to control? Ridiculous!‘ she thought.
Achill crept through Seraphina, but she managed a faint smile. I’m not just refusing to go to the villa. I’m ending everything between us. I owe you money, and I’ll pay it back. I hope you’ll give me a few years, considering the days we shared.
“Once I graduate, I’ll pay you back in installments. The IOU I gave Randy will be valid for life.”
Clarence scoffed, “You sure about that?”
“Yes,” Seraphina replied firmly, her expression resolute.
Clarence’s gaze darkened instantly. It was like he finally noticed that this petite girl, barely reaching his shoulder, had a stubborn streak hidden beneath her delicate frame. She might seem obedient on the surface, but she clearly had a mind of
her own.
Her usual compliance was just a front. Push her to her limit, and she was like a kitten showing its claws. He’d thought she was easy to control, but that wasn’t her true nature. His judgment of her had been all wrong
But Clarence was never one to be manipulated, and he certainly wasn’t about to swallow his pride for any woman. The smile on his lips grew colder. “If you think I’m the kind of man who’d lower himself to placate a woman, you’re mistaken. If your mind’s made up, I’ll let you go. But once you walk out that door, there’s no coming back.”
Seraphina said nothing and scoffed at his words. The moment he stood by, watching her get humiliated by Catherine, she’d given up any thought of turning back. He even gave the car he promised her to another woman. What a man! Her heart had completely frozen.
Suddenly remembering something, Seraphina took off her backpack, unzipped it, and pulled out the supplementary credit card Clarence had given her. She held it out to him and said, “Here’s your card. I didn’t spend a cent.”
Clarence’s
s eyes turned icy, and his handsome face darkened even more. She didn’t back down an inch.
Seeing Clarence didn’t take the card, Seraphina casually placed it on the desk beside the laptop, then straightened up and gave him a slight nod..
“Goodbye, Mr. Vanderbilt,” she said, her tone cool.
Five years later, Seraphina returned to Angoria
The day after returning to the city. Barbara dragged Seraphina to a birthday party for one of their high se ol teachers who was turning fifty,
Five years ago, Seraphina had turned down Angoria University and gone to college out of town, staying there for a year to work. But after George passed away, she moved back to Angoria to be closer to Shirley.
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Chapter 21
Barbara was the happiest about her return. Last night, she insisted that Seraphina stay over, and they chatted until their eyelids were too heavy to keep open.
The birthday party was held at a hotel near the school, and nearly all their classmates showed up.
Despite their years apart, everyone was just as warm and friendly with drinks flowing and laughter filling the room. As the school’s former beauty queeh, Seraphina naturally caught the attention of the guys, with a steady stream of them offering her drinks.
