جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 20

Serena’s parted lips trembled faintly, a delicate contrast to her shallow, erratic breaths. The effects of the psychedelic drug made her gaze misty, her usual sharpness was dulled. Her eyes, misted and unfocused, held a vulnerability that tugged at Alexander in a way he hadn’t anticipated. Alexander’s mind flickered with images he had deliberately tried to forget, but her current state brought them rushing back—memories of the way she had looked at him that night.For reasons he couldn’t quite comprehend, his heart skipped a beat.Feeling his steady warmth beneath her trembling fingers, Serena instinctively tightened her grip around him, her petite frame pressing closer against his rigid form. She wasn’t thinking—she couldn’t. All she knew was that Alexander felt like the only anchor in her swirling, feverish world. Michael, standing mere feet away, grew increasingly bewildered. His‘Didn’t Alexander deny that she was his wife earlier today? So what’s going on now?’ His mind spun with

Serena stood barefoot, dripping wet, her long hair plastered against her back. Droplets of water trickled down her neck, soaking the towel clutched tightly around her chest. Her bare toes curled subconsciously, as if seeking stability on the cold floor. She looked fragile yet resilient, her discomfort betrayed only by the slight tremble in her posture. Alexander’s gaze flicked down, lingering momentarily on her soaked figure. Her drenched clothes clung tightly to her form, outlining every curve. He closed his laptop with a soft click, leaning back with a sneer. “Honey?” he echoed mockingly, his tone sharp. “You’re not even bothering to hide your agenda anymore, are you?” His words sliced through the already fragile atmosphere, making Serena flinch inwardly. Serena instinctively glanced down at herself, only to notice her current state—drenched, with the outline of her underwear starkly visible beneath the thin towel. Embarrassment surged through her like a tidal wave. Her face, pale

The room grew silent, the ticking of the wall clock amplifying the tension. Alexander remained still, caught off guard by Serena’s composed response. For a moment, he wondered if he was hallucinating. Did she just call him her husband? Had she mistaken him for someone else, or was this part of a ploy he didn’t fully understand?Under the soft glow of the crystal chandelier, Serena’s face was serene as she continued. “I can’t remember what happened that night in detail, and I assume you’ve forgotten as well. I apologize for addressing you improperly earlier.”Her tone was even, devoid of any trace of awkwardness. She shifted the conversation effortlessly back to business. “If you’re interested in my design work, feel free to share your requirements.” Her professionalism made it clear that she had no intention of dwelling on what had transpired. Araminta’s scheming may have led to that night, but Serena wasn’t about to let it dictate her future.Alexander remained silent, his mind drift

Serena casually offered a lie, her tone steady and convincing. “My husband is a programmer.” With a gentle smile, she added, “Marriage requires effort from both sides. I can’t let him bear all the responsibilities alone.” Gracefully, she pushed the coffee toward Alexander. “Even though his income is modest, he takes excellent care of our family.”Her description painted a picture of an ideal partner—one who, ironically, was nothing like Alexander.Curious to gain more insight, Serena asked, “And you, Mr. Vanderbilt? The lady earlier mentioned you’re married. What’s your wife like?”The question caught Alexander off guard. He furrowed his brows slightly, answering bluntly, “I don’t know.”It was an honest admission. He had sent the divorce papers to the Morales family long ago, but there had been no response. His so-called wife seemed content to cling to the Vanderbilt name without any real connection to him.Serena was momentarily stunned by his frankness. Before she could respond, th

Rachel had always been refreshingly blunt, her sharp tongue rarely sparing anyone. Yet, beneath her direct manner was genuine concern for those she cared about. It was one of the qualities Serena appreciated most in her longtime friend.Serena lowered her eyes, unable to hide the disappointment weighing heavily on her mind. Her father, Alfonso Morales, was getting old. Never a particularly gifted businessman, his declining health and advancing years had only further dulled his already limited acumen. He seemed more desperate than ever to cling to any lifeline that could salvage his struggling ventures.Rachel, always quick to notice Serena’s mood shifts, decided to steer the conversation in a lighter direction. “So, you mentioned something about getting paid on time. What’s the story? Did you take on a project for Alexander?”Serena sighed, grateful for the change in topic. “Yeah, I landed a deal to design his house in Manhattan.”Rachel’s eyes widened in disbelief, and she immediatel