Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 129687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
As the full import of the billionaire’s words became clear, Wayne blindly gripped the edge of the table to keep himself from falling. How the hell did this happen, he thought wildly. His mind immediately sought for an explanation that would not lay the blame on his door, and like any true bully, Wayne turned to Serenity accusingly. “You set me up! You flirted with me, led me on—-”
Willem’s jaw clenched. “I suggest you cease speaking nonsense if you know what’s good for you, Mr. Coleridge.”
But Wayne was already lost in his misery, and all he wanted was to make Serenity feel the same. “You’re a goddamn tease,” Wayne spat.
Willem cracked his knuckles.
“You won’t get away—-”
Wayne never saw the fist coming his way. It was too fast and too powerful, and the next second he was knocked down and lying flat on the floor.
Willem raised his hand, and with just a simple gesture his security team rushed inside, having been stationed outside the training center, watching through the office’s windows while they waited for their cue to interfere.
Willem nodded at the trash on the floor. “Take him out, and make sure he’s blacklisted from every establishment connected to DKE.”
“Ja, meneer.”
Willem’s grip on her hand suddenly tightened, making Serenity look up.
“You’re alright?” he demanded abruptly.
She nodded.
“We’ll talk in private.”
She nodded again, knowing that the less she said, the less she was prone to making any mistakes. From now on, after what Willem had said and done, all eyes would be on her, just like it was for the billionaire.
She expected him to take her to his office but instead they made their way to the basement parking lot, the chauffeur opening the passenger door of the limousine as soon as they stepped out of the elevator.
The first few minutes of the ride were spent in silence, Serenity unable to take her gaze off the billionaire’s coldly furious profile.
When he spoke, it was just one word.
“Talk.”
This time, she didn’t even think of hedging.
She talked.
As she unburdened herself, she could feel her mind becoming more chaotic, and she hated it. This was not her – this terrible, shaking, terrified, helpless mess – she didn’t want to be like the old, weak, selfish Serenity again.
When Serenity finished speaking, Willem said harshly, “Don’t cry.”
She bit her lip hard.
Everything in him wanted to haul her into his arms and tell her it would be okay. But he knew if he did, he would be lying. “He was harassing you, Serenity.” She whitened at his words, but he didn’t let it get to him. “And you were letting him.” She let out a small cry, but he didn’t let it get to him either. “Don’t hide from the truth, dammit.”
The anger in the billionaire’s voice made Serenity want to curl into a ball and weep. “I’m s-sorry—-”
“You should be.” He clenched his fists in an effort to keep his hands to himself. “Because the next time, I might not be there to put a stop to things.” Images tormented him, of Serenity suffering a worse fate in another man’s hands, and he sucked his breath in sharply. “I need you to listen to me very carefully, engel.”
Blue eyes made blurry with shock and pain met his.
“You must make a choice sooner or later, and I think now’s the best time to make your decision.” Before she could ask, he said heavily, “You need to choose if you really want to live or not.” Even as Serenity jerked at his words, he forced himself to continue. “I know what you’ve been through, and I know that a part of you still blames yourself for what happened to your father.”
He took another deep breath. “But I also know you’re not stupid enough to believe that you really are at fault. He made his own decisions, and they were the wrong ones. He chose to turn his own child into a pawn to further his own dreams. He chose to kill himself instead of facing up to his mistakes. He chose to abandon you.”
Slowly, Willem took the girl’s hands in his. They felt small and cold, and the chains that he had wound around both their souls tightened at the knowledge. “It’s your turn now, Serenity. Whether you like it or not, every time you choose to let someone walk all over you, every time you let someone turn you into a victim, you’re choosing to give your life away. You’re choosing to let your father still dictate your life all the way from the grave, and if that’s how things will always be – then why the hell did you even break your own leg in the first place?” He tightened his hold on her hands, and his voice turned low and savage as he demanded, “Why in hell are you even asking me for help if you’re only going to throw away your life over and over?”