5. Starting Over Alone

Serena’s Point of View

Finding a place to stay wasn’t easy, and I didn’t have the luxury to be picky.

After a few calls and visits, I finally found a room in a shared apartment.

Fortunately, they only required the monthly rent as a deposit.

The place was small, just enough for a bed, a table, and a small cupboard.

The shared spaces weren’t very clean or tidy.

It wasn’t ideal. Not at all. 

But it was mine.

And right now… that was enough.

I was exhausted at the end of the day, but still I couldn’t sleep at all. I spent the whole night planning my future.

Without a doubt, finding a job was my main priority. Soon, I would run out of the little money I had in my bank account.

I had worked as a data analyst before I resigned at Rowen’s request. It was a highly demanded, well-paid profession.

But after staying out of the field for more than a year in such a rapidly changing industry… It wasn’t easy to return.

Everything had moved forward while I had been busy maintaining a home for a husband who never respected me.

I knew I had to catch up, new tools, new frameworks, new expectations.

I applied to a few places just to test the waters, but the responses I received confirmed that I needed to push myself harder and close the gap before I could land a stable job.

However, I needed a way to survive until then.

A way to pay the rent. A way to put food on the table. A way to manage the bills.

So I applied for everything close to the apartment.

Waitress. Storekeeper. Cashier.

Anything.

But most people hesitated the moment they learned my situation.

Some rejected me politely.

Some didn’t even bother hiding it.

“We can’t hire someone who will leave as soon as they find a better job.”

“We need someone who can work long hours.”

“This might not be suitable for your condition.”

I understood their concerns. I truly did.

But I desperately needed a job.

I even had to schedule a scan with the doctor… and I didn’t have the money for it.

After closer to two weeks of rejections… I was exhausted.

I didn’t doubt the decision I had made. But I felt helpless. Because there was a little life growing inside me that deserved the world…

And I was still struggling just to begin.

But I didn’t give up.

I kept trying.

Until….

I found a job at Lena’s.

A small but popular Italian restaurant.

The place was warm and cozy, filled with the delicious aroma of food.

The owner, a middle-aged Italian woman named Lena, interviewed me herself.

I told her everything honestly.

That I was pregnant. That I needed a temporary job. That I would work as hard as I could.

She listened quietly. Carefully.

“You are honest even when it disadvantages you,” she said finally.

A small smile appeared on her face.

“I like that.”

“Start tomorrow.”

For a moment… I couldn’t even respond.

Relief hit me so suddenly that my eyes filled with tears.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

“I won’t disappoint you,” I promised with all my heart.

When I stepped out of the restaurant, the cold air hit my face immediately.

It was freezing.

But for the first time in days, my heart felt warm, and I didn’t feel suffocated.

I pulled my coat tighter around me and took a deep breath.

I have a job now.

It wasn’t much.

But it was the start I needed.

I stepped onto the street and looked up.

The building where Lena’s was located towered above me. It was a well-known commercial building in the heart of the city.

4Axis.

The name glowed in gold at the top against the gray sky.

My breath paused when I noticed what was written just below it.

HENRIX PROPERTIES

That name felt far too familiar. Because Rowen worked for them.

Inside one of the many offices owned by Henrix Properties…I had lost the only family I had ever known.

I knew the company itself had nothing to do with what Rowen or Michela had done.

But still…

Looking at that name…Something inside me shifted.

Something heavier. Colder.

For a moment, I stood there, just staring.

Then I let out a quiet breath.

Turned around. And walked away without looking back.

__________________________________________

Adrian’s Point of View

I came to the office at six thirty in the morning.

I had a dinner meeting with an important client last night and had to leave early, so I had documents I needed to check and approve.

As I finished one file and picked up the large folder for the new apartment project, my eyes paused for a moment on the words printed in bold golden letters on it.

HENRIX PROPERTIES

The company I had taken over from my father a few months back. The company that once actually belonged to my mother.

But it wasn’t my destination.

It was a milestone, yes. A significant one. But my destination was far beyond this.

That was why I had to be efficient. Focused. Relentless.

By eight in the morning, Watson, my assistant, entered the room.

“Good morning, sir,” he said in his usual respectful tone.

“Good morning,” I replied, my eyes still on the document in front of me.

“If you had informed me you would be coming in early, I could have come sooner as well,” Watson said, sounding slightly regretful.

“That’s fine,” I said. I didn’t want to inconvenience him when I could manage on my own.

“Should I arrange your breakfast?” he asked.

“Give me my schedule.”

There was a brief pause before Watson began outlining my day: internal meetings, a lunch meeting with a client, and the board presentation.

“Sir, the meeting at 4Axis regarding the new investment plan, I’ve scheduled it for four on Friday.”

“Okay.”

“One more thing, sir.” Watson lowered his voice slightly, as he always did when speaking about something outside routine work.

“Shall I reserve a table at Lena’s for after the meeting?”

I lifted my head and looked at him.

“Yes, thank you,” I replied.

It had become somewhat of a habit for me to visit Lena’s when I was in the area. Not just because the food was good, but because Lena had shown genuine concern for me at a time when I truly needed it.

Watson nodded and stepped back toward the door.

“Watson.”

He stopped immediately.

“The Rowen Gilbert performance file. Have it on my desk.”

“Today,” I added.

If that man still worked here, some things needed to be addressed.

There was a brief pause before he replied, “Of course, sir.”

The door closed behind him.

I usually don’t allow myself to get distracted while working. That was not how I had trained myself over the years.

But…

Still…

I remembered the way she looked that day near the elevator.

As if she had lost her entire world… And was trying to hide it from everyone.

Fortunately, I was fast enough to catch her before she collapsed. I didn’t hesitate before lifting her into my arms.

She was not someone who deserved lies and betrayal.

She deserved better. So much better.

I took her to the hospital.

But I didn’t stay.

I didn’t want to be there when her husband arrived.

So I left… Before she could see me.

And yet…

I found myself wondering, 

How is she doing?

Has she already left that man?

I picked up my pen.

But those questions stayed in my mind.