Chapter 33
“Hmm Clarence’s question snapped Seraphina out of her thoughts.
She forced a small smile, her gaze calm and flat. “I heard you.”
Clarence studied her intensely, seemingly unsatisfied with her reply. She hadn’t given the proper response or any clear agreement but just said she heard him. It was a subtle sign that she still had some sharp edges hidden within her.
He suddenly remembered how she had looked up at him, proud and defiant, when she said goodbye five years ago. His jaw suddenly tightened, and without warning, he scooped her up in his arms, his posture carrying the weight of his authority. He leaned in close to her face, and his voice was cold. “Remember the last rule, the only one who has the power to end this is me.
Seraphina thought to herself, ‘So that’s it. Five years ago, my defance when I left hurt his pride. That’s the thorn he’s never forgotten
Clarence carried Seraphina out of the bathroom and gently laid her on the bed. She clung to his arm, and her face was filled with tension, the same fear she had shown five years ago.
Clarence didn’t pull his arm away. Instead, he leaned over her, his eyes locking onto her. The beautiful girl below him radiated a mix of innocence and unease. Her wide, embarrassed eyes reflected his image back at him, glistening like delicate glass
On the outside, she seemed so obedient and lovely–her youthful face shining with a naive purity that tugged at his heartstrings.
Clarence slipped his hand into her damp hair, his warm palm pressing against the cool strands as he gently massaged her scalp. “Are you scared?” he asked softly.
Seraphina muttered inwardly, ‘Of course I am! She answered him with her eyes but no words.
“Still a virgin? Clarence’s voice dropped low as he asked, the question hanging heavy in the air.
Seraphina didn’t respond.
“Hm?” He pressed, clearly waiting for her answer. Clearly, it mattered to him.
“Yes, she whispered, barely audible,
Her response seemed to satisfy Clarence. A slight, almost tender smile tugged at his lips. His hand, which had been stroking her hair, became even gentler as he slid it down to cup her cheek and gave it a soft pat.
“I expect you to be ready for tomorrow night,” he said.
Seraphina was caught off guard. “Tonight, you’re not going to…
Do you want me to? Clarence asked, his mouth curling unto a wicked grin. “I can if you insist.”
“No Seraphina quickly denied, her voice sharp with panic.
Clarence’s smile faded. The way she answered him was so decisively, and it made him think just how much she wanted to avoid hirm
Noticing the change in his expression, Seraphina then explained I didn’t mean-
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Chapter 3
But before she could finish, Clarence cut her off, pressing his lips firmly against hers.
His tongue slipped into her mouth, deep and intense, until they were both breathless. When he finally pulled back. Seraphina’s eyes sparkled with a dazed, liquid glow that could easily make Clarence lose himself.
But Clarence, though it was difficult, pushed himself away and maintained control over his desires.
“I want our first time to be something good, something we both enjoy but not something we do just to get it over with, he explained.
“Get it over with Seraphina blinked and teased. “Are you saying…you can’t?”
Clarence froze for a second. She actually dared to question him like that?
His hand shot up and gripped her chin with just enough force to make it clear he was a little annoyed. “If I didn’t think you’d have trouble explaining why you got home so late. I’d show you right now how wrong you are about that.”
Seraphina quickly caught on. He was actually worried about her getting home too late. Even though he was controlling and demanding, there were moments when he clearly still considered her needs.
“It’s nine–thirty, and you should be off work by now, Clarence said as he released her. “I don’t need to tell you how to explain yourself to your mom. do I?”
Seraphina stayed quiet. He had made his point, and she understood perfectly.
money. Her mother had rented
Near Seraphina’s home, there was a small night market where locals could earn a little extra n
stall there to sell small trinkets after work.
Shirley was an accountant for a company. In her field, the older the got, the more valuable her experience became. She earned a decent salary, but she still wanted to bring in more income.
Since that mysterious sum of money had appeared to save George, it had always weighed on her mind. She wanted to save up just in case she ever found out who their benefactor was, so she could repay them somehow, and her extra business was doing alright
When Seraphina arrived, she saw two young girls buying some trinkets from the stall. Shirley was taking their payment when she looked up and noticed Seraphina. With a soft smile, she said. “You’re off work. Why didn’t you go home? What brought you here?”
“Thought I’d help out,” Seraphina replied.
I can handle my business. No need to help me. Before Shirley could say more, another customer arrived, and she turned to assist them
Seraphina stood to the side and watched her mother with a soft smile on her face.
Shurley, who was not yet 45, still maintained a shum figure–unlike many women her age who often showed signs of weight gain and a loss of shape. She looked younger than her years, more like she was in her late thirties.
Despite not obsessing over beauty treatments, Shirley had been blessed by nature. Though there were a few signs of age, she remained strikingly beautiful
Shurley was always kind and genuine with people, and she effortlessly made another sale. When the customer paid, she flashed a warm brain.
Seraphina couldn’t help but think that her mother must have has plenty of admirers when she was young, but why did she choose to marry her father, whose family wasti’s particularly weahy!
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Chapter 33
“Sera?” Shirley gently called..
Seraphina snapped out of her thoughts and smiled at her mother, “Mom, it’s getting late. Let’s pack up and head home.”
Shirley nodded and said, “Alright”
The crowd had thinned, and the other owners around them were already packing up their stalls.
As Seraphina helped to gather the items, she spoke softly. “Mom, you work all day and then run this stall at night. It’s too much. Maybe…you should stop doing this?”
Shirley waved it off and said, “No worries. I work my 9–to–5, come home, cook dinner, and this stall gives me something to do afterward. If I stayed home. I’d just be watching TV. This way, I can make some extra money while watching TV on my phone. Why not?”
She paused for a moment, her tone becoming more serious. “You know, we have to be prepared for anything. What if we meet that mysterious benefactor one day? If I haven’t saved enough to repay them, what would I do? I know I’m still far from the 200 thousand dollars, but at least I’m trying. It gives me peace of mind.”
Seraphina suddenly felt a wave of sadness wash over her. Shirley was a strong woman. With George’s long–term illness, she had carried the weight of the family on her shoulders, refusing to let anyone look down on them.
Even though they’d struggled financially, she’d held her head high, and the neighbors admired her for it, often saying George was a lucky man to have her. But that luck was short–lived. George passed in his early forties.
Seraphina wanted Shirley to stop running the night stall because she had turned to Clarence. She figured she could help out financially and spared her mother from working so hard. But Shirley’s words stung her a lot.
While Seraphina had sold herself to pay off the debt, her mother was still working tirelessly to repay the money.
After packing up, Seraphina offered to help carry the load, but Shirley waved her off. “These things are light. I can manage on my own.”
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