Chapter 14
Victor invited Serena to the penthouse one final time.
Attorneys were present.
So was the household manager.
Ethan was at preschool.
Lily was not asked to attend.
Serena collected the last boxes of her belongings while Victor remained in the formal sitting room.
When she finished, she stopped near the engagement gifts that had never been opened.
“There are still things here people gave us.”
“They’ll be returned.”
Serena nodded.
Then she asked:
“Did Ethan ask about me?”
Victor could have lied.
“No.”
The answer hurt her.
He saw it.
He did not enjoy it.
Serena removed the jeweled bracelet she had worn the night of the engagement.
She placed it beside the ring already returned through attorneys.
“I really did love you.”
Victor believed her.
That was the difficult part.
“You loved what being with me gave you too.”
She looked away.
“Maybe.”
“And you decided my son was the obstacle.”
“I thought Lily was.”
Victor shook his head.
“No.”
He stood.
“You thought anyone between you and what you wanted was the obstacle.”
Serena's eyes filled.
“What happens to Adrian?”
“That is no longer something I control.”
“You could help him.”
“I could.”
She waited.
Victor continued.
“I won't.”
For years, family problems around Victor were solved through influence.
Calls.
Pressure.
Private agreements.
Serena had counted on that culture even while betraying him.
Victor’s final choice was not revenge.
It was refusing to rescue either sibling from processes already underway.
Serena picked up her coat.
At the door she stopped.
“Do you hate me?”
Victor thought about Ethan recoiling in his arms.
“No.”
Serena turned, surprised.
“Hating you would keep you in this house longer than you belong.”
She left.
Victor closed the door.
May you like
Then he returned the engagement gifts one by one.
By the time the final box left the penthouse, there was nothing left to cancel.
