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Chapter 15
Just then, a wailing sound came from outside, followed by the shrill voice of a middle–aged woman shouting angrily.
“You shameless homewrecker! Now that you’ve been tossed aside you come crawling back for us to take care of you? Why didn’t you listen when I warned you? You’ve dragged our family name through the mud. How dare you show your face here! Get out! You’re no longer our daughter.”
“Serves her right,” Thomas suddenly muttered with a cold sneer
Seraphina turned to him, surprised. “Do you even know who that is?”
“Joanna Franklin,” he said flatly, his voice as cold as ice.
Seraphina was taken aback. “You used to adore Joanna when you were little. How can you be so harsh now that her life has fallen apart?”
“She deserves it. She chose to be someone’s mistress; now she’s reaping what she sowed, Thomas said, his young face etched with disgust. “Being a homewrecker is the most disgraceful thing a person can do.”
Seraphina’s cheeks burned with shame. The word ‘mistress‘ struck her hard, like a dagger to the heart.
With a jolt, she realized something. Isn’t that exactly what I am to Clarence? The kind of person Thomas despises? If our relationship ever came to light, would Mom react the same way? Would Thomas look at me with the same disdain he shows for Joanna?
Feeling her heart tighten, Seraphina quickly turned away, avoiding Thomas’s gaze. “I should go study.”
“Alright. I’ll make some pasta for Dad,” Thomas said, his tone softening as he turned towards the kitchen.
Back in her room, Seraphina sat on her bed, lost in thought. She had gone too far already. The only thing she could do now! was tread carefully and keep this unsavory side of her life hidden from her family.
Pushing aside her troubling thoughts, she settled at her desk and tried to focus on her study materials. No matter what, the SATS were still her top priority.
Just as she was about to begin, the grating whine of a power drill from the apartment above shattered her concentration. The recent renovations had been a constant source of disruption.
As Seraphina reached for some makeshift earplugs, her phone rang. To her surprise, it was Clarence. This was his first–ever
call to her.
Her heart skipped a beat. After a furtive glance at her closed door, she answered in a hushed voice, “Hello?”
“What’s all that noise?” Clarence’s voice came through, laced with annoyance as the sound of the drill echoed in the- background.
“The neighbors upstairs are renovating the apartment. That’s the sound of a power drill, Seraphina explained.
“Is it always so noisy?”
“Yeah, she murmured. “Sometimes they even work late into the night.”
“At night?” Clarence’s tone turned sharp. “Has the property management done anything about it?”
Seraphina lived in an old, shabby neighborhood where the management was notoriously lax. Before she could respond, Clarence changed the subject. “I just wanted to check if you got home.”
13:29 Tue, Oct 29 B
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Chapter 15
“I’ve been home for a while now, Seraphina replied.
“Good, I gotta go,” he said abruptly, hanging up before she had a chance to say something else.
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When the line went dead, she set her phone down, a small frown creasing her brow. ‘In romantic novels, doesn’t the hero always wait for the heroine to hang up first?
She then pinched her own cheeks, chiding herself for the foolish thought. ‘Come on, this isn’t a novel. This is real life. He even called to check if I got home safely. If that’s not sweet, what is? Don’t be greedy, or I’ll just set myself up for disappointment. Just be happy with what I have.
Clarence’s call had lifted her spirits, dispelling her earlier melancholy. She turned to her book with renewed vigor and the drilling from upstairs now seemed almost melodious.
Meanwhile, in a villa surrounded by lush greenery, Clarence sat beneath a beach umbrella, his gaze focused on his phone, while Catherine strolled towards him with a plate of grapes, her long, flowing dress rippling and dancing with every step. offering tantalizing glimpses of her shapely legs. She was a vision of breathtaking beauty.
Catherine’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at Clarence, but he barely glanced up, too busy typing away on his phone. As her perfume wafted over, Clarence finally looked up. He rose to his feet. T’ve got to go now.”
Catherine’s rosebud lips formed a playful pout. “You promised we’d have lunch together. Are you going to break your word again?”
“Something came up. Clarence offered a faint smile of apology, not offering further explanation as he prepared to leave.
Catherine tugged playfully at his arm. “My car broke down. I like the white Mercedes coupe you drove today; it’s gorgeous Can I drive it for a few days?”
