Chapter 44
After Clarence hung up the phone, he suddenly seemed to remember something. He lightly tapped Seraphina’s shoulder. and asked, “Have you been taking your meds these past few time?”
“Meds?” she said as she looked up in confusion.
“Birth control, Clarence said bluntly.
Seraphina blinked, deep in thought. He had never reminded her before, so she naturally didn’t know she was supposed to be taking anything. This was her first experience with all this. She had no clue what she was supposed to do.
You can’t get pregnant.” Clarence’s voice suddenly turned cold Otherwise, the only one who’ll get hurt is you.”
Seraphina fell utterly silent. Clarence hadn’t taken any precautions these past few times, and she had never even considered the idea of pregnancy.
She wondered, Ishe telling me that if I do get pregnant, I’ll have to get rid of it?
Sure enough, Clarence added, “I don’t want any woman other than my wife to have my child. His tone was icy cold. Seraphina’s body stiffened. Even though he was holding her, she felt a chill creeping through her.
The phrase “any woman other than my wife pierced her heart painfully. The tenderness they’d just shared disappeared. Trom her body in an instant.
“Sharon has experience with this. Ask her to get you some pills, Clarence instructed, pulling his arm out from under Seraphina’s head as he got out of bed. He headed to the bathroom for a shower, and the sound of the running water only made her heart grow colder.
Seraphina propped herself up and sat on the bed, pulling the blanket over her chest. She let out a bitter laugh. A little bit of affection had somehow made her forget who she was. She was just his lover, nothing more.
She knew she had no right to bear an heir for the Vanderbilt family–that much she was clear on. But hearing Clarence bring it up so coldly still stung as if she’d actually been hoping for something more.
Seraphina was new to all of this. She didn’t understand, and she’d never even thought about getting pregnant. She’d never considered having Clarence’s child. But his cold reminder made it seem like she had been daydreaming.
She took a deep breath, pushing down the hurt that had surfaced in her chest. “What’s there to feel hurt about? she mused. Isn’t it better that he reminded me? It’ll stop me from getting caught up in those few moments of passion, where he treats me like a cherished pet, and forgetting my place.
With that in mind, Seraphina got out of bed, dressed, and left the room. She found Sharon in the hall. Seeing no one else around, she quietly asked, “Sharon, can you help me buy some birth control pills?”
Sharon was a bit taken aback. After a brief pause, she smiled faintly and lowered her voice to reply. Sure, I know a type that has fewer side effects, but you need to take it every day. Will that be okay, Ms Johnson?”
At this point, Seraphina felt like nothing mattered anymore. She nodded. “That’s fine. Thank you.
F
“You re welcome Sharon kept her stile.
As Seraphina turned to leave, her back straight, a fait sense of disappointment lingered in her steps.
Sharon let out a quiet breath, reflecting. “There’s something Manderbilt is probably not fully aware of yet Thankfully. they’re both young They’ll grow through this together, slowly
1/3
13:34 Wed, Oct 30
Chapter 44
46%,
Instead of returning to her room. Seraphina sat in the small lounge on the second floor, resting her chin on her hand, lost in thought. She didn’t know when Clarence had arrived, but soon, the faint scent of mint in the air signaled his presence.
The familiar smell brought her back to reality. She looked up and saw Clarence extending his hand to her. “It’s time to eat,” he said, his voice surprisingly gentle.
Seraphina raised her head and gazed at the man looking down at her. His expression was gentle now, completely different from the icy demeanor he had when he told her to take the birth control pills earlier.
When she didn’t move, Clarence took her hand and, in a smooth motion, pulled her into his arms, wrapping one arm around her waist like a doting lover. “You must have been exhausted earlier. Eat something to regain your strength.”
Seraphina didn’t respond, only thinking to herself that his unpredictable warmth and coldness probably meant he didn’t like her enough
The soft morning light spilled over the bed, warming the two of them as Clarence held Seraphina in his arms, kissing her passionately as if savoring a delicious breakfast.
But the mood was abruptly broken by the sharp ring of a phone shattering their intimacy. Clarence didn’t want to answer at first, but after glancing at the caller ID and seeing it was “Mom, he had no choice but to pause and reach for the phone.. Once he picked up, his tone remained respectful as he greeted, Mom.”
“I want you to join me for breakfast.” Marilyn’s gentle voice came through the phone, but there was a certain firmness in her
Clarence had already declined his mother’s invitation the night before, and refusing again now might upset the old lady..Her tone wasn’t one of negotiation but rather a notice, and Clarence understood that well.
“Alright. I’ll be there soon, he replied.
“I be waiting Marilyn said, her voice still warm as she hung up
Clarence put down his phone. He was leaning over Seraphina, looking down at her with a hint of guilt in his eyes. He lowered his head and kissed her lips softly. “Sorry. I’ve got to go
Even though she didn’t hear Clarence’s conversation with Marilyn, when he said, “I’ll be there soon,” Seraphina had already guessed he was about to leave,
“Mm, she responded obediently. In truth, she was already exhausted and was secretly hoping Clarence would stop having her serve as his “morning meal“.
Her obedient expression, along with a faint eagerness to be let off the hook, didn’t escape Clarence’s notice. Annoyed, he pinched her check. You may dodge the first round, but you won’t escape the next one. We’ll continue tonight.”
Seraphina was left speechless, wondering, is he really that obsessed with me?
In the suburbs, there was a small cottage hidden in an elegant garden. Clarence parked his car in front of it. The greenery fatered out most of the sunlight, making the yard pleasantly co and shaded. By the table and chairs sat an elderly lady with silver hair, wearing reading glasses, as she looked through the newspaper.
Even in this digital age, the elderly lady still clung to her old fulats. A middle–aged woman, around forty, was sitting beside her, preparing drinks.
When Karen saw Clarence walk through the door, she leaned toward Marilyn and sally said. “Ms. Walsh, Clarry’s here”
Karen had been Marilyn’s housekeeper for many years and had watched Clarepice grow up, so she was practically family at
2/3
址
13:34 Wed, Oct 30 G.
Chapter 44
this point. That was why she didn’t bother with the formalities of calling him Mr. Vanderbilt.
46%%%%
Marilyn lifted her head to look at Clarence, removed her reading glasses, and gave him a gentle smile. “You finally decided to show up.
He walked over and sat down on the chair across from her. “Mom, I’m sorry about last night.”
“The one you should be apologizing to isn’t me,” she replied, her tone calm.
Clarence let out a small laugh. “Mom, you know I don’t like these setups. Why bother arranging it?”
Tve only arranged it this once. Marilyn said softly, looking at him with sincere eyes. “Jeni’s mother and I are very close. No one knows Jeni’s character better than I do. From the day she was born. I’ve had her in mind as the perfect wife for you.”
