Chapter 3

Serena's POV

My mother lay in her bedroom on oxygen. Her face was pale.

"Serena, those photos... are they real?"

"Real."

I sat by the bed, holding her hand.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I kept it from you for so long."

Tears fell from her eyes.

"That boy... he seemed so honest..."

"Appearances don't represent a person's character."

My father stood in the doorway smoking, ash falling to the floor.

"Good thing Serena found out early."

The doorbell rang. Our housekeeper went to answer it and soon ran back in a panic.

"It's Ethan... holding a huge bouquet, kneeling at the door!"

My father started to go drive him away, but I stopped him.

"I'll go."

At the door, Ethan really was kneeling there, holding ninety-nine red roses.

His hair was messy, his tie crooked, his eyes bloodshot.

"Serena."

His voice was hoarse.

"Let me explain."

"Explain what?"

I leaned against the doorframe.

"Explain how you and Claire planned to kill me?"

His whole body trembled.

"I didn't! Those recordings were fabricated! That bitch Claire is framing me!"

"Oh?" I smiled.

"What about the photos? Fabricated too?"

He couldn't answer. His lips trembled.

"Serena, I was wrong. I was really wrong."

He held up the flowers.

"Give me one more chance. I love you, I only love you..."

I took the flowers. His eyes brightened for a moment.

Then I threw the entire bouquet on the ground. My high heels stepped on them, crushing those delicate petals.

"Are you worthy?"

That sentence made him collapse to the ground.

Some neighbors were peeking from behind their windows. I raised my voice.

"Ethan, return the three million your mother borrowed from my mother by tomorrow. Otherwise, see you in court."

"Three million? That-that was an investment..."

"Investment?" I crouched down to meet his eyes.

"Investment in that shell project at your father's company? I've checked the books. The money went into your personal account."

His pupils contracted sharply.

"How did you..."

"How did I know?"

I stood up, looking down at him.

"Because I'm not the Serena I used to be. Get lost. If I see you again, I'll report you for harassment."

Security came. Two burly men dragged Ethan away.

He kept calling my name, each cry more pitiful than the last, like a stray dog.

I closed the door. My father applauded behind me.

"Well done."

He said,"Now that's my daughter."

My mother came out of the bedroom, eyes still red but smiling.

"Serena has grown up."

My phone vibrated again. This time it was Claire.

I answered and put it on speaker.

"Serena, I had no choice! Ethan threatened me! He said he'd expose my past if I didn't help him-"

"Your past what?" I cut in. "The time you stole your roommate's wallet in college? Or when you cooked the books at your last job?"

Silent.

"You...you looked into me?"

"A passing glance," I said.

"By the way, isn't your mother's birthday coming up? I've prepared a big gift. Remember to check it."

I hung up and messaged my private investigator.

"You can proceed. Send the stuff to her house."

Claire's biggest weakness was her parents.

They cared most about face. I was curious what their reaction would be if they knew their daughter stole, was a mistress, and wanted to kill someone.

So looking forward to it.