“And later, I’ll follow up with my distant cousin at social services,” Alice added, her determination palpable.
Dressed in her scrubs, Alice cast a quick glance over her shoulder at the bustling hospital hallway. “I’d better get back to work. I’ll see you at home,” she said, her tone brisk yet warm.
“Bye,” Serena replied, waving as Alice disappeared into the corridor, her dark hair bouncing with each purposeful step.
Stepping out of the hospital, Serena’s phone chimed, breaking the silence that enveloped her. A notification from her mobile banking app flashed across the screen: [Twenty million dollars have been credited to your account.]
Time seemed to freeze. A rush of emotions surged through her-hope intertwined with an ache that felt like a tight knot in her chest. This was it; she was finally severing ties with the house she had once shared with Nathaniel.
“This is for the best,” she whispered to herself, trying to quell the turmoil brewing within.
At noon, she found herself sitting across from the agent responsible for selling her matrimonial home. With a mix of trepidation and relief, she signed the deed of sale, her hand trembling slightly as she handed over all the passcodes.
“It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Miss Kline,” the agent said, rising to shake her hand, his smile genuine.
Serena stood as well, her grip firm as she returned the handshake. “Thank you for helping me sell the house,” she said, forcing a small smile despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her.
“I must be on my way now,” the agent said, glancing at his watch. “I wish you all the best in your endeavors.”
With a knowing smile, he added, “And Miss Kline, life has a way of giving back what it once took from you. Just hold on long enough to see it.”
His words took her by surprise, and she felt a sting in her eyes. “Thank you,” she managed to reply, her voice barely above a whisper.
Of course, he was aware of her circumstances. He had inquired about her reasons for selling the house, and she had shared just enough to satisfy his curiosity.
After their meeting, as Serena prepared to leave, she unexpectedly encountered another familiar face.
“Dennis Mercer,” she said, her heart sinking slightly as Nathaniel’s best friend appeared at the restaurant.
“What a coincidence,” he remarked, a friendly smile lighting up his features.
“Indeed. What a coincidence,” Serena responded, her frown betraying her discomfort.
“Having lunch?” Dennis inquired, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, exuding an air of nonchalance.
“I’ve already finished. I had lunch with someone,” she replied softly, her voice tinged with reluctance.
“Well, I’m hungry. Would you care to join me for old times’ sake? I’m alone,” he suggested, his tone inviting.
With nothing else on her agenda, Serena acquiesced. She ordered a cup of tea while Dennis dug into his meal. In the midst of his eating, he casually mentioned, “Nathan told me you’re looking for a job. I happen to need a Regulatory Affairs Manager.”
The Mercers owned four diagnostic centers in Velmon City, and Dennis held the title of overall General Manager.
Serena smiled, a flicker of gratitude lighting her eyes. “Thank you, Dennis. I considered staying in Velmon City at first, but I’ve changed my mind. I’d rather leave and find opportunities elsewhere.”
Dennis’s blue eyes scrutinized her, searching for the truth beneath her words. “To where? I thought you didn’t have family anywhere else?”
“I’ll figure it out,” Serena replied, taking a sip of her tea, the warmth soothing her nerves. “First things first: my divorce certificate.”
She caught the glimmer of pity in Dennis’s gaze, and it stung more than she expected.
Living in a new city without friends or family would be a daunting challenge, but what choice did she have? If Xavier didn’t reach out soon, she would have to learn to stand on her own two feet.
“It’s not like I’m a child, Dennis,” she remarked, her voice firm.
“No, it’s just that you’re going through a divorce, and the situation with your family that’s a fot to take in, he replied, his tone softening. “If you plan on leaving, would Alice at least go with you?”
“She’s considering it, but her family is here,” Serena said gently, implying she wouldn’t pressure her friend into leaving.
“I’ll ask around the medical community outside Velmon City and see if I can recommend a good place for you,” Dennis offered, his voice earnest.
“There’s no need for that,” Serena insisted, shaking her head. “I’ll handle things myself. But thank you.”
She couldn’t shake the thought that if Dennis recommended her to someone he knew, news of her pregnancy might eventually reach him-and Nathaniel too. She needed time to process everything before anyone else found out.
When Dennis finished his late lunch, Serena bid him goodbye. Her next destination was the warehouse company she had purchased. After that, she planned to prepare dinner for herself and Alice.
As the clock struck six in the evening, Alice navigated the underground parking area of Grand Mercy Hospital, her phone pressed firmly against her ear She was deep in conversation with her relative from social services.
“What? There is no record of Serena being adopted?” Alice asked, her brows knitting together in confusion.
“No, there’s nothing,” her distant cousin replied, sounding equally perplexed. “What makes you think she is adopted?”
It wasn’t her story to divulge, so Alice held back the details that swirled in her mind. “Never mind. Thanks for checking anyway,” she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.
Spotting her car, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. Just as she unlocked it, a sudden force slammed her against the vehicle.
A man.
His face was obscured, but she could feel his hot breath against her car as he growled menacingly, “Stop looking into the Klines, or you’ll get what’s coming to you.”
“Ahhh!” Alice screamed, the pain radiating through her torso as he shoved her hard against the car.
Her heart raced, and a tear slipped down her cheek, a mix of fear and disbelief flooding her senses.
When she turned around, the man had vanished into thin air.
“Oh my God,” she gasped, her breath coming in quick, shallow bursts.
For several minutes, she sat in her car, panic coursing through her veins, before finally mustering the courage to drive back to her apartment.
She must have looked pale as a ghost when she walked through the door because the moment Serena spotted her, she rushed over, concern etched on her face. “What happened to you?”
Alice forced a smile, trying to mask her fear. “Nothing. I’m just tired.”
Whoever had threatened her… if they thought fear would make Alice back off, they were sorely mistaken. She would do anything for her best friend.
She would keep digging.
Quietly, carefully.
Serena entered Alice’s room with an air of excitement that was palpable. “Alice, I have wonderful news!” she announced, her voice brightening the early morning gloom. “Remember those two online interviews I had for Oakridge Bay University? Well, they’re scheduling my final interview for next week! I’m actually flying out to Oakridge. It feels so promising! The job offer includes everything-a full package: an apartment, plane tickets, and even a car! Can you believe it? It’s unbelievably good!”
Alice turned to her, her eyes wide with enthusiasm. “For the Academic Research Lead position?” she inquired, and Serena nodded, her smile growing even wider.
“That’s fantastic!” Alice cheered, her excitement bubbling over. But then, her expression shifted slightly, and she wrinkled her nose in concern. “But what if Xavier reaches out to us soon? What will we do then?”
Serena’s smile faltered as silence enveloped the room for a moment. Finally, she replied, “What if he doesn’t?”
“He will,” Alice asserted firmly, her voice laced with conviction.
With a heavy sigh, Serena countered, “I know he probably will, but maybe he’s just swamped with work and hasn’t had the chance to check his messages. He could be facing challenges I’m not aware of. What I’m trying to say is that I can’t put my life on hold waiting for Xavier. I need to think about my future.”
Alice stepped closer, her voice softening. “Okay, okay,” she said, placing a reassuring hand on Serena’s shoulder. “I understand. I’m sorry for bringing it up. You’re right. When your final interview arrives, I’ll be right there with you. I can check out Oakridge Bay University too. Who knows? Maybe they’ll have a position for me as well.”
Serena’s expression turned serious as she revealed, “I haven’t told them I’m pregnant yet.” She grimaced slightly, the weight of her secret evident in her tone. “I plan to bring it up during the final interview.”
Alice shook her head, her voice steady. “Don’t stress about it. There are anti- discrimination laws in place for pregnancy. You’re not required to disclose that information. Besides, it’s a research position. It shouldn’t be physically demanding.”
“Yes, I’ve thought about that too,” Serena admitted, nodding thoughtfully. “But I also want to be upfront with them. Honesty is important to me.”
Alice took both of Serena’s hands in hers, squeezing gently. “Well, if this is where you’re meant to be, then that’s how it should be. Sometimes, the right path only reveals itself when we’re pushed to take a step forward.”
A week had slipped by since Serena’s last encounter with Nathaniel, and since she and Alice had submitted their DNA samples to the hospital. The anticipation was almost unbearable; she was just three days away from discovering the results. The wait felt torturous. Yet, she couldn’t afford to remain idle.
In the days that followed, Serena had diligently sent out dozens of job applications, casting her net far and wide-some to cities nearby, others to countries across the globe. One morning, as she scrolled through her emails, a job posting from Oakridge Bay University caught her eye. It felt almost serendipitous; the position seemed tailor-made for her, aligning perfectly with her expertise in biochemistry and her extensive background in clinical research. The thought of working in a university setting filled her with hope, envisioning it as a safe haven to rebuild her life.
“Well, it’s the weekend. What do you want to do? Should we go out?” Alice asked, busily tidying up her bed.
Serena frowned, shaking her head. “And risk running into Nathaniel? No, thank you. I think I’ll stay in.”
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.