The Lies Behind Her Marriage

After six years together, Serena Kline discovered the love she trusted had been nothing but a lie. Her husband seized her father’s company and coldly handed her the divorce papers, as if she had never mattered at all. “You never loved me?” she asked. Nathaniel, her husband, looked at her with no trace of love left in his eyes and said, “Never.” With no hope left for her marriage, Serena walked away with empty arms and a fierce will to rebuild her life. *** Nathaniel Thorne believed he was prepared to lose anything to get retribution. But vengeance came with a cost he never understood until it was too late. When fate brought him into the same room with Serena again, he prepared himself for the rage, for her retaliation, but instead, Serena calmly asked, “So… was it worth it? Your ultimate revenge?” “I’m doing well,” he answered plainly, hiding the truth behind his commanding facade. Serena smiled, beautiful in a way that made his chest tighten. “Then, I’m happy for you. Peace and closure look good on you.” Her words landed sharper than she intended. Because the truth was, he had never found the peace she spoke of. Chapter 1: Revenge Serena Kline built her life around the man she called her husband, her love, her anchor, her choice. But after six years, he repaid her devotion with divorce papers and a cold dismissal. That was the moment her world broke, yet somehow she found the strength to walk away. *** It took only two months for everything to collapse. Serena’s husband, Nathaniel Thorne, had completely ignored her. He became CEO of Kline BioSolutions. Her father was arrested for patent fraud and murder. Her mother died from the shock. At present, Serena was at Velmon City Memorial Park, about to bury her mother, Roselind Kline. She wasn’t grieving the way others expected her to. She had never been close to her parents, a truth she rarely voiced. Not even her husband knew just how much. Her heart had always looked for comfort elsewhere, and she thought she found it in Nathaniel, her husband… until the recent months proved her wrong. The sun began to set, and the very few guests who attended her mother’s funeral started to whisper. They had been waiting for two hours, but there was no sign of Nathaniel Thorne. “How long are we going to wait?” “Will he really come? Didn’t he just put Serena’s father behind bars?” “I saw the trending feed on social media. Nathaniel is attending the award show with Vanessa Holt, the actress. See?” Serena’s eyes fluttered. Her hands trembled as she searched online. True enough, her husband was with Kline BioSolutions’ brand ambassador, Vanessa Holt. Together, they looked like the perfect pair. She couldn’t deny the pictures and videos that were taken of her husband. Nathaniel was the kind of man who drew eyes without trying. He had broad shoulders, flawless posture, and dark hair that never fell out of place. Confidence radiated from him, even through a mobile screen. Why did she even bother waiting for him? Despite everything, she had hoped. After all, she and Nathaniel were not just a married couple, but they were college sweethearts, at least, that was what she thought. Nathaniel had not returned home since her father’s arrest. They had never really discussed it. All her calls went to voicemail, and because of her mother’s recent health issues, she hadn’t been able to see him at the office either. However, it was evident that her husband came after her father, Victor Kline, for revenge. “Let’s bury her,” Serena’s voice came through, trembling. An hour later, her mother’s coffin was fully buried. The guests offered their final respects, but only one person wept. It was her mother’s loyal assistant. Her parents weren’t really the best people in the world, even to her, their own daughter. The Klines were good to Nathaniel because he was talented and driven, someone Serena’s parents had entrusted the company with. If they only knew, Nathaniel had meant to snatch it all away from them. When everyone else had left, Serena finally wept, not because she lost her mother nor the fact that her father is behind bars, but because of the weight of everything that was happening around her, the lies, the humiliation, and the betrayal. “Serena, what will you do now?” Alice Hartley, her old college friend, asked. “I had already accepted the situation with my parents,” Serena replied. “But what about Nathaniel?” Alice asked. Serena looked down and softly answered, “I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know.” Nathaniel did not come home that night. Serena never expected him to. So the next day, she went straight to the office and finally settled the score. On the fifteenth floor, her husband's assistant tried to chase after Serena. “Miss Kline, you can’t enter the CEO’s office.” “Why not? Am I not his wife?” Serena snapped. She forced her way into his office and instantly froze. Vanessa Holt sat on Nathaniel’s lap, and he didn’t seem bothered about it. Serena’s heart ached. She almost forgot how to breathe. She couldn’t believe this was the same man who promised to devote his life to her! “Oh, I’m sorry.” Vanessa, the actress, got up from Nathaniel’s lap. She flushed, explaining her side. “Please don’t misunderstand, Serena, I slipped, and Nathan caught me.” The way her husband’s first name casually slipped out of Vanessa’s lips said it all. Nothing about this meeting between them was business-related. “You slipped right into his lap?” Serena questioned. “Enough,” Nathaniel said, his gaze glacial. “Vanessa, leave.” “Okay, Nathan, I’ll see you at your mother’s house later,” Vanessa said, smiling at Nathaniel. “Aunt promised to cook me a lovely meal.” “Mmmm.” Nathaniel just hummed, nodding in Vanessa’s way. Serena’s stomach twisted. It made her feel so small. Over the years, Nathan’s mother had treated Serena respectfully, but never warmly. Now she knew why. After Vanessa left, Serena finally said, “Nathan, we need to talk.” “We sure do,” Nathaniel said. He averted her gaze and fetched a document from his drawer. He handed her the papers and said, “Let’s get a divorce.” Of all the things he could say… it had to be that word. Divorce. After two years of dating in college, and after four years of marriage, they were going to leave everything behind. “Why?” She questioned, her voice shaking. “Are you leaving me for Vanessa?” He stared into her eyes with no emotion at all. “Don’t drag Vanessa into this. She’s the company’s brand ambassador, even your father himself praised.” Then Nathaniel told her the truth she had already known. “Our marriage was never real. I used it to get close enough to destroy your father.” For a moment, her mind went blank, tears slipping down her cheeks. She said, “That can’t be true. We were together for six years—” “I had the right motivation to be convincing,” Nathaniel said curtly. “I told you about him. My father meant the world to me.” As Nathaniel spoke, his voice strengthened, his blue-gray eyes looking fierce. “My father developed a drug that could reverse Type 2 diabetes. Your father stole the formulation patent, filed it under Kline BioSolutions, and had him killed to erase his claim. That drug built your family’s empire.” “But none of that was my fault!” Serena reasoned. “I had no involvement in it. My father had always been cr -” “It doesn’t matter.” His jaw tightened. “You are still his daughter and have benefited from his crimes. From the beginning, Serena, I was never meant to love you.” Serena’s body went stiff. She didn’t know how long she stood there, too shocked to move, before she finally found her voice. “So in all those years, you never… You never loved me? You just used me?” Nathaniel looked at her with pure hatred. He said, “Never. It was all a lie.” Six years ago, he swore he would love her for the rest of his life. He repeated those vows at the altar, promising forever. Who could have known? He hadn’t meant a single word. Chapter 2: Dianna's Visit Dianna’s Visit. “You can keep the house.” “You can keep working here as the Director for Clinical Research.” Serena stared blankly at the divorce papers in her hands while Nathaniel explained the agreement. “You can keep the money in our joint account.” Nathaniel calmly resumed, “My mother did not want to leave you any alimony, but I have prepared a separate check for the sake of our six-year relationship. My mother doesn’t have to know.” “Don’t contest the divorce. I don’t have time to deal with it,” he firmly warned. “I will have my lawyers file them tomorrow, and after the cooling-off period, we can get our certificates together.” She did not say a word, but reached out for the check, her hands shaking. She looked down at it, thinking, ‘So all those lies, the six years we had built together, the deception, were worth nothing more than five million dollars.’ The Thornes were now worth twenty billion dollars. Kline BioSolutions was worth ten billion dollars, but she was only worth five million dollars in Nathaniel’s eyes. Serena couldn’t stop herself from looking at Nathaniel again. He sat there, calm and distant, his strong jaw clenched, and the faint stubble on his face made him look even colder. His gray-blue eyes, once warm and gentle, now looked sharp and unfeeling. Even his perfectly shaped features, the straight nose, the firm lips, felt unfamiliar, like he had become someone else entirely. She still couldn’t believe this was the same man she fell in love with, the same one who had doted on her for six long years. Every bit of love she once saw in him was gone, replaced by an emptiness that made her chest hurt. Her heart broke, but anger began to rise with it. How could he look at her like that, as if she meant nothing at all? “Sign it,” he said. “And you can leave after. I will give you another week of bereavement leave, but no more than that. You have been out of work much longer than you were supposed to.” Serena, “???” Still, she said nothing, but inside, she was burning with rage. She signed every page of the divorce papers, her hands cold and sweating. After that, she stood up, took her copy of the agreement, and glanced at the man she had loved for so long. He didn’t look at her. He was simply unbothered. Serena turned on her heel with the check in hand. But just as she made it halfway through his office, the control she’d been clinging to finally broke. Her hands clenched on the check. She walked back to Nathaniel, tore the check into pieces, and threw them into his face! She said, “You can keep your mother’s pity!” She saw him startled, stunned by her sudden courage, but she did not give him a chance to speak. Instead, she slapped him hard! “I hate you!” she shouted. “If I’d known you’d only use me, I would have wished I was never born!” Finally, she walked away. “Serena?” “Serena! Get back here!” She heard him, but there was nothing else left to say. What for? *** “That asshole! That scumbag! That jerk!” Alice screamed. “How could he be so heartless?” Instead of heading home, Serena went straight to see her best friend at her office. There, she cried out all her pain. “But I don’t get it,” Alice said, slamming her back against the chair. “I could have sworn he was so much in love with you.” At that point, even her friend cried with her. “He can’t be such a perfect actor. Can he?” “Apparently, it was all a lie,” Serena said, wiping her tears. “Maybe something changed. It has to be,” Alice tried to find a logical reason for everything. “What if it’s really that actress, Vanessa Holt? Haven’t they been spending time together?” “I don’t know,” Serena clenched her jaw. “Even my parents used to take Vanessa out for dinners, right after she became the ambassador of the company.” “Nathan’s attack on my father was real,” Serena said. “You should’ve seen the hate in his eyes when they arrested Victor. I guess, he hates me just as much.” Serena remembered it vividly. Her father was announcing his retirement to the board when the police entered the room with a warrant. In an instant, his pride at trusting the company to his son-in-law vanished, replaced by sheer horror. That was when the layers of Nathaniel’s motives began to unravel. Serena couldn’t accept it at first. She was still in denial up to earlier that day. But now, everything was clear. It was like what he said. He never loved her. “Serena, have you ever confessed to Nathan how Victor treated you, especially when you were a child?” Alice asked, sniffing her tears away. “Maybe he will see things differently.” “And what will I get, Alice? Pity from him?” Serena shook her head. “That’s not what I want. I want the old Nathaniel, the one who seemed to love me, but since all of that was a lie, then there’s no point telling him.” “But…” Alice frowned. Among Serena’s friends, Alice was the only one who knew every detail of her hardship as a daughter of the Klines. “No. There is no point anymore,” Serena insisted. *** The next day, Serena and Alice went to her marital home. Serena needed to pack. She couldn’t live in a house filled with memories between her and Nathaniel. Just as she and Alice arrived, she spotted her mother’s loyal assistant, Dianna. She was waiting outside the gates of the villa. After rolling down the window of her car, Serena asked, “Dianna?” Dianna was a woman in her late forties. The last time they met was at her mother’s funeral. “Serena, can I have a moment with you?” Dianna asked. Later, the two spoke outside the house. Dianna did not bother to go inside. “I remember your friend. I’m glad you have her to talk to,” Dianna glanced at Alice, who was standing by the door. “Serena, I know I never treated you well,” Dianna began. “But what Nathan did was terrible. He never should have included you in his revenge.” “But this is the least that I can do for you,” Dianna said, hesitating. “I have a suspicion.” “What suspicion?” Serena asked. Instead of saying it out loud, Diana whispered into Serena’s ear. Instantly, her skin crawled. What Serena learned broke her heart again, but… it also made sense. Chapter 3: Matrimonial Home Matrimonial Home. Inside the villa. Serena used to have a very vibrant look on her face. She had fair, luminous skin and bright hazel eyes. Her long, light brown hair had perfect curls that waved down her back. Alice used to say she became more and more beautiful after she got together with Nathaniel. Serena supposed her friend was right, because right now, without her husband, there was nothing radiant about her. Her eyes had no life, her hair was tied into a messy bun, and her face was pale. Dianna’s revelation left Serena completely stunned, and it was the same with Alice. “I’ll see what I can find,” Alice said, leaning back on the sofa in the house. Serena nodded. She looked around the living room and said, “Yeah. It’s just a suspicion. What’s important right now is for me to pack my things.” “And I’m here to help,” Alice declared. She took a break from work just to give Serena a hand. What Dianna said would have to wait. Some things were better kept quiet until there was proof. Serena had decided to live with Alice for now. Her best friend had two spare rooms in her apartment, more than enough space for them. The idea of leaving the city was lingering in her head, but Serena hadn’t fully decided yet. Velmon City was her home. It was hard to start all over again in another town. Serena started with her clothes, but the moment she opened her closet, memories came flooding back. Almost all of her clothes were bought by Nathaniel. Every month since they were married, he took her shopping. Sometimes, his assistant pre-ordered designer clothes for her. Nathaniel knew her body well. He knew what fit her and what looked good on her. Serena couldn’t believe Nathaniel went through so much effort to make her feel so treasured, yet it was all fake. In the end, she only took about fifteen items of clothing, four bags, and five pairs of shoes, the ones she bought with her own salary. After packing her personal items, she returned to the living room. Alice was emptying her fridge. Since she was alone there, Serena found herself recalling the number of movie nights she had spent with Nathaniel in that same spot. She recalled the laughter, the teasing, and the kisses they shared. They were all lies. Then, her eyes landed on their wedding photo mounted across the TV. Serena frowned. The sparkle in Nathaniel’s eyes looked so genuine, she almost convinced herself she was simply having a very bad dream. Tears welled in her eyes, but she sniffed them back. She fetched a small ladder, took the portrait to the stone fire pit at the back of the house, and burned it! But that wasn’t enough. Serena went back inside, searched for her old wedding gown, and burned it too. Next, she went back for their photo albums, the ones that contained her memories with Nathaniel, and set them on fire. When Serena realized she was still wearing her wedding ring, she took it off. She was about to throw it into the burning pit when Alice grabbed her hand. “Hey!” “Stop!” Alice said. “I hate Nathan too, but let’s be real. You could use whatever money you have left.” “Let’s sell every damn thing he gave you,” Alice proposed. “Including this—” Alice looked around, looking regretful of the vast estate. “Including this beautiful house?” The villa was Nathaniel’s pre-wedding gift to Serena. It was a six-hundred-square-meter, two-story home. It had a circular driveway in front and a small backyard with a stone patio and fire pit. Nathaniel promised they would raise a family here. It was another lie she was foolish enough to believe. Once, the place felt warm and alive. Now, it felt empty and cold. It was still beautiful, but to Serena, it no longer felt like a home. “Yes.” Turning to Alice, Serena agreed. “Let’s sell everything. I bet this house would easily give me around six million or seven.” Serena did not bring much. She was planning to sell the furniture along with the house. After loading everything she had into the car, she and Alice got ready to leave. They were using Serena’s SUV. She was about to hop into the vehicle when she felt like someone was watching her. Instantly, she looked out the gates. Serena felt a chill run down her spine when she spotted a car parked right outside the grilled fences. As soon as she noticed the vehicle, it drove off, as if it feared her stare. She frowned. As much as she wanted to identify the car, it was already dark by the time she and Alice were done. Through the dim light, all she could make out was the silhouette of a black car. A BMW, she thought. ‘What if it’s another one of my father’s rivals?’ she muttered in her head. ‘Then, it’s just right that I sell the house.’ Victor Kline had many rivals. Over the past years, a few had targeted her because she was his daughter. Her nanny once told her she was almost kidnapped when she was three years old. That was why, even though her relationship with her parents wasn’t the best, she was at least thankful that they had assigned her a private car since she was young. They never gave her the tender loving care that many children received growing up, but at least her parents protected her. “Let’s go,” Serena said to Alice. “The house is just giving me the chills right now.” Serena kept herself busy in the following days, selling her wedding ring and every piece of jewelry Nathaniel had given her. An agent took care of the rest, including her designer clothes, luxury bags, and even the house. She meant to sell everything until there was nothing left to remind her of the life she once had with Nathaniel Thorne. She found a new resolve, but even then, nothing could prepare her for what would come next. It was something Serena never expected. Chapter 4: The Invitation The Invitation. “Do you remember Milona?” Alice asked on a Saturday morning. “Our batchmate in college?” “Of course, we used to have lunch together,” Serena answered calmly. She and Alice were having breakfast. “She’s inviting us to her birthday at the Golden Dragon Palace later, at six p.m.,” Alice shared. “We should go. She said she feels sorry about what happened to you and Nathan, so she wanted to catch up.” Serena gulped. Honestly, she didn’t feel like socializing. However, Alice convinced her otherwise. “You need this. You need to unwind and just… let it out. We can talk trash about Nathan." For the first time in months, Serena laughed. Yet, tears welled in her eyes. “Yeah, I guess that’s not a good idea.” Later, they both dressed to impress. Rarely did Serena wear revealing clothes, but that night, Alice insisted that she put on a backless dress. “I hope there are hot guys at the party,” Alice muttered while driving, and Serena only laughed. Well, there were, in fact, hot guys at the party, but they weren’t exactly who Serena wanted to see. When Serena and Alice arrived, they were surprised that the gathering was quite intimate. Milona had only booked a room that accommodated twenty guests. Still, they smiled and gave their old friend a gift. “Happy birthday, Milona,” Alice greeted. “This is from both me and Serena.” Accepting the gift, Milona smiled. She motioned to the second table and said, “These are your seats. Enjoy.” But just as they settled, Alice felt the need to use the restroom. “I’ll be back.” So, Serena was on her own. She smiled politely at Milona’s guests until she saw familiar faces. Timothy Harlow, Dennis Mercer, and Peter Wells. They have been Nathaniel’s best friends since college. They walked into the room looking confident and successful, laughing. Their suits were neat, their shoes polished, and they carried themselves with the easy charm of men who knew they had done well in life. Serena’s heart throbbed sharply, and as fate would mock her, two figures entered the room. Vanessa Holt. And… Nathaniel Thorne. Vanessa held his arm, smiling up at him in a way that made them look flawlessly matched. And Nathaniel? He was easily the most handsome man in the room. He always had been. But seeing him now, with another woman, felt like a knife twisting in Serena’s ribs. “This can’t be happening to me.” Serena softly muttered, her eyes widening. They couldn’t see her from the door, but she saw them. Out of nowhere, Vanessa happily turned to Nathaniel. With Vanessa’s back facing Serena, she could see how they appeared to be sharing a kiss! “Hey! Hey!” Timothy called. “You two get a room!” “What?” Vanessa turned, blushing. “What do you mean? Nathan was just blowing something out of my eyes.” It felt like a wound she’d barely managed to hold together was being torn wider. Serena said in her head, 'What is going on? How dare Milona invite me and Alice if she was also inviting Nathan!' Then, Milona approached their group. “Vanessa, what a surprise! You and Nathan? You look good together!” Serena stood up abruptly, and the chair fell behind her. Only then did she lock eyes with Nathaniel. Seeing her, Nathaniel’s eyes widened, and he instantly put a distance between himself and Vanessa. “Oh, Serena. You’re here too!” Vanessa said. In front of her, Nathaniel’s friends were also startled to see her. “Look, it’s not what you think,” Vanessa said, addressing Serena. “Nathan and I are just friends—” “Serena, I completely forgot that my husband invited Vanessa and Nathaniel. Surely, you won’t mind. I mean, we’re all adults here. Let’s just put the past behind us,” Milona said with an amiable smile, as if the situation wasn’t a big deal. Serena was infuriated! She grabbed her purse abruptly and said, “No, thank you very much.” She left the venue in a hurry. She searched for her phone so she could call Alice, but to her shock, it wasn’t inside her purse. “Damn it!” she muttered. “I must have dropped my phone!” She had no choice. Serena paced back into the conference room where Milona’s birthday celebration was held. Just before she walked in, she heard Nathaniel and his friends talking about her. “Nathan, did you really not love Serena at all?” Peter asked. Serena was already familiar with their voices, so even without seeing them, she could tell them apart. “No,” Nathaniel said outright. “It was all an act.” “I could have sworn you were very in love with her,” Peter raised. "He already said no, Peter," Timothy scolded. “Enough. I don’t want to talk about her,” Nathaniel snapped. “It’s over.” To her surprise, Vanessa and Dennis didn’t seem to be around. All she heard were the voices of Nathaniel, Peter, and Timothy. “Well, you know, Serena was just a quiet girl back in college. She wasn’t really a good match for you,” Timothy said. “I always thought that way. She only became confident about herself after you two started dating. You and Vanessa are more suited for each other.” “Didn’t I say enough?” Nathaniel shot back. “She is not worth discussing.” “It’s just that I wished you could’ve gotten justice without involving Serena in it,” Peter said, his voice sounding regretful. “She was innocent, sure,” Nathaniel said faintly. “But I couldn’t let that change anything. If I had, I would’ve failed my father all over again.” The familiar sting returned the instant he spoke. So, he did know she was innocent, but he still chose to use her and hurt her. Serena had heard enough. She no longer cared what they thought of her. She entered, walking past them, and picked up her phone from the second table. She meant to just walk out, but no. Instead, she turned to Nathaniel and said, “Congratulations on achieving your revenge, Nathan. I’m sure your father would be proud that you used your innocent wife to bring him justice.” Then she echoed Timothy’s words. “That's okay. We weren’t a good match, anyway. You were too good for me. You and Vanessa are more suited for each other.” Serena finally turned on her heel, walking away with her spirit completely broken. She called Alice and told her to meet her at the entrance of the restaurant. It was there that she discovered it was raining outside. “There you are. I have been looking for you." Serena turned, finding Dennis, Nathaniel’s closest friend. He draped a coat around her and said, “It’s cold outside. Put this on.” Dennis took a few steps back, but then he looked at her again, saying, “I’m sorry for what Nathan did.” “Did you know?” Serena asked. Dennis gulped, replying, “I just found out about four months ago.” “Then you’re no better,” she said, tears finally spilling down her cheeks. “Take back your coat -" “Keep the coat,” Dennis said. “It’s cold outside. The coat isn’t mine, anyway.” Serena frowned. When she glanced at Dennis again, she realized he was still wearing his coat. So, whose jacket was on her? But she didn’t have time to think about it. Alice arrived, and they left the restaurant. *** Meanwhile, in another private room within Golden Dragon Palace, Vanessa Holt handed Milona the money. She said, "Good job." "Thanks," Milona said. "I needed the money." "I know," Vanessa acknowledged. "What's your beef with Serena anyway?" Milona asked. Vanessa laughed and said, "If I tell you, I'd have to kill you." Seeing the fear in Milona's eyes, Vanessa laughed. "Relax. I was just joking." Chapter 5: Six Years Ago Six years ago. “Serena Kline, please be mine. I promise to love you for the rest of my life,” the young Nathaniel Thorne said, kneeling before Serena at the College of Science. Serena, although coming from a wealthy background, never had full confidence in herself. She was beautiful, tall, slender, and had a smile that could outshine the sunrise. Yet she never really thought of herself as someone desirable. In class, she was often quiet, minding her own business. Every day, she hurried home because she had so many chores to do. She was rich, yes, but her parents made her work hard for her allowance. After school, she helped clean their mansion. At night, she studied relentlessly. She only had two best friends in college, Alice and Xavier. They all took Biochemistry at Velmon State University College of Medicine. With a life like hers, she never imagined that someone smart and good-looking like Nathaniel Thorne would pursue her. Nathaniel, tall, with an athletic body and striking blue-gray eyes, was the top student of the College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, two years older than Serena. At that time, his mother owned over fifty pharmacies across the country, hence his choice of degree. Nathaniel had been pursuing her for a year. He waited for her outside the classrooms, walked her to the car, helped her carry her books, and always showed up with warm drinks on exam days. He even learned her favorite snacks and slipped them onto her desk when she wasn’t around. Every small gesture, every smile, and every quiet moment they shared made it harder for Serena to believe he was real. “Please, Serena, I really love you,” Nathaniel said, pleading. "Yes!" "Say, yes, Serena!" Her classmates encouraged her. "Don't reject him." Back then, Serena was certain the jerk would break her heart, but she said yes anyway, and everyone at the College of Science cheered for her. Even Alice gave her a thumbs-up. Only her other friend, Xavier, refused to accept Nathaniel. After being a couple, everything went unexpectedly smoothly. Nathaniel introduced her to his mother. He waited for her almost every morning in the parking lot, leaning against his car with two cups of coffee in hand. He said it was their small routine, even when he had early lab sessions on the other side of campus. He made time. During exam weeks, they studied in the library together. When Serena couldn’t attend certain events because of her strict parents, Nathaniel showed up outside her house anyway, honking lightly until she came out to talk to him through the gate. Sometimes he waited an hour just to see her for five minutes. He never let her feel alone, not even once. If she texted that she was stressed or upset, he drove to wherever she was. If she cried, he stayed with her until she stopped, always patient, always gentle. He defended her to classmates who whispered she was too quiet for someone like him. He shut them down without hesitation and made sure she heard none of it. With Nathaniel, she became a better person, confident and loved. One of her best nights together with Nathaniel was on her twenty-second birthday. He took her on vacation to a private resort. He lit up the skies with fireworks and held her hand all through the night, laughing and cuddling with her. That was also the time Serena gave her first to Nathaniel. After that romantic night, Nathaniel kept staring at her face, brushing his knuckles against her cheeks. He said, “What am I going to do, Serena? You are so beautiful. How can I not fall in love with you?” His words brought warmth to her cheeks. It wasn’t just what he said; it was the way his eyes held hers with such certainty. Who would have thought none of it was real? *** “Why?” “WHY!” Serena woke up with an aching pain in her chest, having dreamed about Nathaniel. She panted heavily, her hands trembling as she reached for a glass of water on her bedside table. Remembering the past, all the nights she shared with Nathaniel, she could not help but cry in anger. “I hate you!” she said, sniffing her tears. “I hate you. I hate you, Nathaniel Thorne!” “Serena!” Her door suddenly swung open. Alice stood there, panting and looking at her with fear. “What happened?” It was never easy to forget. No matter how Serena tried to put up a tough front, she was still in pain. She broke down in tears, hugging herself. “Oh, Serena,” Alice walked over and embraced her tightly. “I hate him too. I hate him for doing this to you, and I hate his mother too!” “Everything will be okay. I know you too well. If you had survived all these years living with your parents, you can get through this too,” Alice said, also weeping. “Alice, I don’t think I can do this. I don’t think I can work for Nathaniel.” Serena let out a sigh. She was meant to return to work the next day at Kline BioSolutions. “After everything he did to me, I don’t think I can stand watching him every day.” “Then don’t. Quit your job,” Alice suggested. “We could contact Xavier and see if he is willing to hire us.” Their other friend, Xavier Dorian, was working for a Medical Equipment Technology Firm in Rexam City, in another state. Alice suggested, “He could give us a job. I think my parents can live with me moving.” Serena shook her head. “No, you have a great job here. If moving is the best option, you don’t need to give up your life for me.” “First things first. Let’s keep looking into what Dianna said,” Serena asked. The Hartleys, Alice's family, were well-connected with the hospitals and local government. If anything, they could find the answer she was looking for. “I have been digging. I will find information soon,” Alice said assuringly. “But what if what Dianna said was true? Will it change anything? Will you tell Nathan?” Serena shook her head. “No. If what Dianna said was true, then it’s only for me. We have nothing to do with each other now.” *** The next day, Serena decided to resign from work, effective immediately. The scene she witnessed at the lobby of Kline BioSolutions only strengthened her resolve. She had just walked into the lobby. While she waited for the lift, she turned to the main door and saw through the glass windows how Nathaniel stepped out of his car and opened the passenger side. Vanessa Holt stepped out, smiling brightly. She looked beautiful as always, tall, blonde, and well-poised. Vanessa had always been the perfect brand ambassador for Kline BioSolutions. It was only seven thirty in the morning, and Vanessa and Nathaniel were already together. What did it mean? Were they already sleeping together? And if so, for how long? It ached more than she wanted to admit. She and Nathaniel used to arrive together every morning. Now, he stepped out of the car with someone else, so casually, as if those past mornings with her were nothing but a distant memory. Later, Serena got the answer her heart had been asking for. Nathaniel’s mother told her everything, and whatever strength Serena had left slipped away. That day, she didn’t even remember how she ended up in the hospital. Chapter 6: Resigned Resigned. Serena stayed in her office for some time. She did nothing work-related. Instead, she reached out for her old friend, Xavier Dorian. Unfortunately, Xavier’s phone didn’t ring. It had probably been two years since they last contacted each other. So, she searched for Xavier’s social media and messaged him instead: [Xavier, I don’t know if you heard, but Nathaniel and I are divorced. He took over Dad’s company. I need you, my friend. Please. I want to leave Velmon City.] When it was finally nine in the morning, Serena made her way to Nathaniel’s office floor. When she found his assistant, she presented a resignation letter. “Mr. Price, this is my resignation letter. It’s effective immediately,” Serena said, putting the document down on Gavin Price’s table. Gavin stilled. He gulped and received the letter. “I… I don’t know what to say, but I understand, Miss Kline.” “I see no reason for him to refuse my resignation,” Serena said. “Thank you for the time we have worked together, and the friendship, whether it’s genuine or not.” Gavin paled, and that all the more confirmed Serena's suspicion. It looked like Nathaniel’s assistant knew of his plans. “I only found out four months ago, I swear,” Gavin said, looking guilty. He lifted the letter, adding, “I’ll give it to the boss later.” Serena just nodded. Even Gavin was on Nathaniel’s side. In fact, all employees from Kline BioSolutions were on his side, not about her divorce, but about ousting Victor Kline. Everyone in the company feared Serena’s father, but they all respected Nathaniel. He listened, treated his employees fairly, and worked harder than anyone else. He remembered people’s names and asked about their families. Within the company, Nathaniel earned everyone’s loyalty not by force, but by being an effective leader. That was how he easily won the favor of the board members. After handing her resignation letter, Serena hurriedly returned to her office, packed her things, and made her way to the lift. She hopped in, eager to leave this life for good, but she didn’t get lucky. On the tenth floor of the office building, the elevator doors opened. Vanessa Holt and Nathaniel’s mother, Bianca Thorne, walked in. Tension arose in the room. “So you are leaving,” Bianca said, giving Serena's box of personal items a glance. Serena said nothing. “It’s good. It’s better that way. You should know, we gave you mercy. We at least didn’t strip everything away from you. Every food you have eaten since you were a child, the house you lived in, and every luxury you have experienced, they all came from my husband’s hard work and sacrifice!” Bianca snapped. She was so mad, the veins on her neck throbbed. "Your father robbed us!" “Aunt, please. Your blood pressure,” Vanessa said, her sophisticated expression filled with concern. But Bianca was not done. She turned to Serena again and said, “You were never good enough for my son. How could the daughter of my husband's murderer be my daughter-in-law!” Her true colors had finally shown. Bianca had never been this curt toward Serena before. All those smiles, those congratulatory hugs during the wedding, and every gesture of courtesy had been nothing but an act. They were all lies layered onto her so-called marriage, only that these came from Nathaniel’s mother. “On the other hand, Vanessa is perfect for my son.” Bianca smiled at Vanessa and motioned to her face. “She is gorgeous, a model and actress, and comes from a respectable family. Her father is a respected city councilor, and her mother is a fashion designer.” “Not like you!” Bianca snapped at Serena. “Your father is a criminal!” Then, Bianca’s temperament changed to something more gentle again. She smiled at Vanessa, adding, “Vanessa stayed with us at my mansion last night. She and my son are a couple now. Isn’t that right, Nessa?” Vanessa blushed. She pushed back a strand of her sleek blonde hair and said, “Oh, Aunt. Let’s be considerate of Serena.” “You and Nathaniel are free to openly date. What Serena and Nathaniel had was not real,” Bianca declared. “When you get married, I will arrange a grand reception!” “Oh, thank you, Aunt, you are so sweet,” Vanessa said, giggling. The same actress glanced sideways at Serena, looking smug. “Please, call me Mom,” Bianca suggested, smiling proudly at Vanessa. Serena kept a straight face, but deep inside, she was dying. When the elevator finally reached the first floor, Bianca and Vanessa left. But Serena? She stayed in the elevator, leaning against the wall. She already knew Nathan had never loved her, but hearing it again didn’t make her immune. It simply made every new humiliation cut deeper than the last. The door closed, and the elevator climbed back up again. Yet Serena stayed glued to the floor, her vision blurred, and her knees turned weak. Before she knew it, she was losing awareness. Thud! Her body hit the cold floor. Just before her vision turned dark, she thought she saw a familiar figure. “Serena?” “Serena!” *** When Serena awoke, she smelled the sharp, sterile scent of the hospital. The mix of disinfectant, cold air, and faint antiseptic stung her nose, grounding her back into reality. Her eyelids felt heavy. As she slowly blinked, the bright white ceiling came into view, too clean, too quiet… but… familiar. Her throat tightened. For a moment, she didn’t move. She looked at the blanket and read the print: [Grand Mercy Hospital] “Serena, thank God you are finally awake. I was worried sick,” Alice’s voice came through. Alice was a Lead Medical Equipment Technologist at Grand Mercy Hospital, so it no longer surprised Serena to see her friend. “How did I get here?” Serena asked. Alice frowned. She said, “Someone from your office brought you here. I didn’t know who. One of the nurses recognized you and told me.” Just then, they heard a knock on the door. Serena was surprised to see Gavin Price enter. He asked, “Miss Kline, how are you doing?” “Gavin? Was it you who brought me here?” Serena softly asked. “Um…” Gavin gulped. He said, “Ye… yes, I brought you to the hospital. I hope you are feeling better.” “I’m fine,” Serena said. “It’s just all because of the stress, I guess.” Gavin lingered. His mouth opened again, but no words left him. Instead, he said, “I should head back. I’m really sorry, Miss Kline. Please, take care of yourself.” After Gavin left, Alice frowned. “He brought you here?” She shook her head, adding, “Don’t get me wrong, you are five feet and six inches tall, while Nathan’s assistant is what… two inches shorter than you? He isn’t even that well-built.” “He could be strong,” Serena suggested. “You know, adrenaline rush.” Alice shrugged and said, “I suppose.” Then her best friend turned serious. She grabbed Serena’s hand and said, “There is something you should know.” What Alice said next made Serena feel as if the world was giving her another blow. "No." "No!"