Serena felt a wave of emotion wash over her, her eyes misting slightly. “Of course. You’re the best best friend anyone could ever wish for.”
“This Sunday, let’s plan an outing,” Alice suggested, her brow furrowing in thought. “How about we head to Silverpine Mountain Resort and book a cozy cabin for just the two of us?”
“Yeah, that sounds perfect!” Serena replied, her spirits lifting. “I haven’t been there in ages.”
“Fantastic! We can hit the spa, treat ourselves to facials, soak in the hot spring, and just unwind,” Alice said, her eyes glazing over with excitement. “It’ll be great for both of us.”
When Sunday finally arrived, Serena and Alice set off for the mountain resort, a picturesque two-hour drive from Velmon City.
Upon their arrival, they indulged in a series of rejuvenating spa treatments. They pampered themselves with facials, body scrubs, and manicures. Afterward, they found bliss in the hot spring, enveloped in the warm, therapeutic water that embraced their bodies like a gentle hug.
While the experience didn’t erase the haunting memories of Nathaniel, it allowed Serena to breathe a little easier, if only for a moment.
As they soaked, Alice posed a crucial question that hung in the air like a storm cloud. “Serena, you know you’ll have to see Nathan again when you go to get your divorce certificate. Are you really not going to tell him about the pregnancy?”
Serena had her eyes closed, leaning back against the edge of the spring bath, the warmth soothing her. When she finally opened them, she took a deep breath and replied, “I’ve thought it through. I don’t believe he needs to know. Bianca would likely flip if she ever found out.”
“But you’re starting to show,” Alice pointed out, concern etching her features.
“I know,” Serena admitted, placing a hand on her stomach. At thirteen weeks along, she was entering her second trimester, and her belly would only continue to grow.
“The waiting period for the divorce is just a month in Velmon City. By the time I meet Nathan again, I’ll be around sixteen weeks pregnant,” Serena mused, turning to Alice. “I should still be able to hide it under a coat.”
“I’ll be right there with you when you go to get the divorce certificate,” Alice said, her voice firm and unwavering.
“Please,” Serena implored, her eyes pleading.
Alice laughed softly. “Of course! I’ll be your strength when the time comes.”
The following morning, Serena and Alice strolled through the resort’s tree-planting grounds, where rows of tiny saplings thrived under the watchful eyes of ancient, towering trees.
As she walked, Serena instinctively touched her stomach, feeling the life growing within her. The vibrant surroundings made her feel both neto fragile and resilient. Uncertain of what the future held, she foun Solace in nature’s reminder that new beginnings often arise after the most challenging seasons.
“Do you remember our college field trip here?” Alice asked, her voice filled with nostalgia.
“Absolutely,” Serena replied, a small smile dancing on her lips. “How could I ever forget?”
They meandered along the path lined with older trees, reminiscing about how they had carved their names into the bark during that trip. Alice suddenly darted toward one tree and exclaimed, “I found min?!”
Serena chuckled, glancing around, trying to recall if she had marked her name on a specific tree.
Then, as she turned, time seemed to freeze.
Her throat went dry as she spotted the tree-the very one where she and Nathaniel had etched their names, enclosed in a crooked little heart.
The memory had slipped away from her until this very moment.
It was from their biology field trip in college. Despite Nathaniel being two years older, they had fortuitously shared the same biology class for one semester. Standing in this same planting site, she could vividly recall, the laughter they ad hared, the playful banter about their muddy shoes, and the shy blushes that accompanied their accidental touches.
The memory struck her like a physical blow.
She swallowed hard, and a surge of anger coursed through her veins. Turning to a nearby resort worker, she demanded, “Excuse me, do you have a carving tool? A knife? Anything sharp?”
After the worker handed her a small knife, Serena gripped it tightly, her heart racing.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she pressed the blade against the bark and began to scrape her name off with fervor, each stroke fueled by the tumult of emotions she had been harboring.
“Arrgh!”
“Rrr-ugh!”
She grunted with every drag of the blade, the bark chipping away beneath her determined hands, her name slowly vanishing next to Nathaniel’s.
It was a childish act, but it felt utterly necessary.
Alice rushed toward her, panic etched on her face. “Serena, Bestie, stop! You’re going to hurt yourself!”
But Serena was relentless. Not yet. Not until her name was completely gone.
When she finally stepped back, panting heavily, a raw satisfaction settled deep within her bones.
Yet, Serena remained oblivious to the irony of her actions.
She could erase her name from a tree, but she could never erase the part of Nathaniel that was growing inside her. And when the truth inevitably caught up with her, what choice would she make then?
“Ah, lovers don’t need to be etched together, just like friends don’t have to be. Let’s create our own cherished moments,” Alice said with a warm smile, gently squeezing Serena’s hands as if to transfer some of her optimism.
Serena’s lips curled into a smile, brightening her previously somber expression. “You’re absolutely right. Today doesn’t have to end on a sour note,” she replied, her heart lifting at the thought.
In unison, they exclaimed, “Let’s find a tree!”
After a short search, Alice and Serena discovered a young, vibrant tree, its bark smooth and inviting. Together, they took out a small pocket knife and began to carve their names into the trunk. Around the names, they added a heart, inscribing the words: [Friends 4ever].
“It’s perfect,” Serena breathed, stepping back to admire their handiwork, a sense of accomplishment washing over her.
“Are you feeling better now?” Alice inquired, her tone laced with genuine concern.
Serena nodded, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “Yes, I feel much better. Just promise me one thing-don’t ever break my heart.”
Alice chuckled, her laughter ringing out like a melody. “How could I ever do that? You were my rock when I needed someone the most. I owe you so much for that.”
Alice had experienced her first heartbreak not too long ago. Just a year prior, she had been on the brink of marriage, only to discover her fianc? entwined in a betrayal with his secretary. During those painful days, it was Serena who had stood by her, offering comfort and solace. Now, however, the roles had shifted, and Alice found herself playing the supportive friend.
After their reflective moment beneath the tree, the two friends made their way back to the cabin, fatigue creeping in as they settled down for a brief rest. But soon after lunch, they gathered their things and ventured back to Alice’s apartment in Velmon City, where the bustling life of the city awaited them.
Alice had a night shift ahead of her. As she organized her belongings in the living room, her eyes sparkled with determination. “Tonight, I’m going to channel my inner Sherlock Holmes,” she declared, the thrill of the unknown igniting her spirit.
What she meant was that she would delve into Serena’s medical records and even those of her parents-searching for answers that lay hidden beneath layers of bureaucracy.
Serena bit her lip, a wave of apprehension washing over her. “Just… please be careful,” she urged, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I won’t get caught,” Alice reassured her confidently. “I’ve been working at the hospital for four years now. The owner trusts me implicitly.”
“If you say so,” Serena replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
While Alice took a shower, Serena seized the opportunity to make a call to the Medical Equipment Technology Firm located in Rexam City. It was still early afternoon, and she hoped to reconnect with their old friend, Xavier.
After five rings, a voice finally answered. “Hello, this is the Medical Equipment Technology Firm. How may I assist you?”
“Hi, I’m looking for Xavier Dorian,” Serena said, her heart racing with anticipation. “Mr. Xavier Dorian?” the woman on the other end echoed, her tone polite yet formal. “Yes, that’s right,” Serena confirmed.
“May I ask who’s calling?” the lady inquired, her curiosity evident.
“I’m an old friend of Xavier’s, trying to reconnect. Unfortunately, his number seems to be out of service,” Serena explained, hoping her words would bridge the gap.
“Miss, I can only take your name and number and pass it along to Mr. Dorian. He’s currently on a business trip and won’t return until the end of the month,” the woman informed her, her voice professional.
“That’s perfectly fine,” Serena replied, providing her contact information before ending the call, a mix of hope and anxiety swirling within her.
With the decision made to keep the baby, Serena realized that staying in Velmon City was no longer an option. Nathaniel’s influence seemed to stretch into every corner of her life, and she craved space-distance-a sanctuary where she could breathe freely without the looming threat of him discovering her secret.
She yearned for a familiar face, someone she could trust implicitly. Xavier had always been that person during their college years, just as Alice had been.
In the worst-case scenario, she thought, she might have to move elsewhere and confront life on her own. But who truly desired such solitude? Even the strongest hearts were not meant to beat in isolation companionship was a fundamental part of human existence
Serena had no close family to turn to. Her father’s side had distant relatives, but their longstanding feud with Victor meant they wanted nothing to do with her either.
Just then, her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen, surprised to see Dianna’s name flash before her. Dianna was her mother’s trusted assistant, and she felt a flutter of curiosity.
“Hello, Dianna?” she answered, her tone cautious.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.