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)
“He’s not her boyfriend yet,” she blurted out.
“Is he not?” The doctor kept his voice bland.
“No. He’s not. The press makes it seem like he is, but he’s not. He’s never confirmed or denied it, so it’s...it’s bad to assume things. Right?”
“Of course.” He wondered if Serenity knew how defensive she sounded. “This man, Willem de Konigh—-he’s still dating your sister? I’m asking because I’d like to know how much he figures in your life.”
“They go out occasionally.” Just saying the words hurt.
“That’s the only time you see him then?”
She shook her head. “I’m working again as an intern at his company.”
“I see. And how is he, as a person, an employer, a friend?”
Serenity’s eyes shone. “He’s an incredible person, Doctor. You won’t believe how smart he is, how kind he is. He’s...everything.”
“Ah.” And now, the doctor was really beginning to see. But before he could ask another question about the billionaire, a knock on the door interrupted him, and Dr. Fergus frowned. “Are you expecting anyone, Serenity?”
“No, Doctor.”
Still frowning, he stood up and, opening the door, the doctor was stunned to find himself face to face with Willem de Konigh in the flesh.
“Mr. de Konigh?”
Serenity jerked in her seat.
Willem smiled politely. “I believe this meeting requires a personal friend of Ms. Raleigh to attend?”
When the doctor came back to the room, he was not alone, and Serenity stared wide-eyed as Willem gracefully lowered himself into the space next to her on the couch. “W-Willem?”
He murmured under his breath, “You didn’t really think I wouldn’t ever find out about this, did you?”
Serenity was unable to answer, with the doctor taking his place before them.
“Thank you for joining us, Mr. de Konigh.”
“It’s my pleasure, Doctor, and please call me Willem.”
“Willem it is then. Before anything else, I’d like you to know that this conversation will be recorded in its entirety, but everything will of course be protected by confidentiality laws.”
“Of course.”
“Good.” The doctor nodded his approval. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did you and my patient first meet?” He was not surprised to learn that Serenity’s sister had something to do with it, but he was surprised at how things had progressed from there.
“As you’ve known my patient for over three years now, I’d love to hear what your thoughts are on her progress.”
“She’s become a lot stronger,” Willem answered readily. His gaze resting on the girl sitting so still beside him, he added quietly, “She’s also learned to appreciate herself and, from there, she’s slowly allowing herself to be...happy.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that, Willem.” The doctor turned to Serenity, whose eyes had become even brighter. It made himself wonder how the Dutch billionaire could be so blind as not to see what he was seeing.
“What about you, Serenity? Do you agree with everything Willem’s said?”
A measured nod, one that told the doctor how much his patient looked up to the billionaire, and Dr. Fergus found himself disturbed.
He continued with his questions for Willem and Serenity, keeping his thoughts and emotions to himself even as his concerns grew. When an hour had passed and it was time for Serenity to go, he asked for a private word with the billionaire.
Seeing Serenity’s concerned look, he said lightly, “He’s a billionaire, my dear. You really don’t think I’d pass up the opportunity to ask for a donation?”
“Oh.” Serenity’s relief was obvious in her smile. “I’ll wait outside then, and oh, umm...” She glanced at the billionaire. “Please be generous?”
Willem rolled his eyes. “What else can I be when you ask me with those eyes of yours?”
Any other girl would have returned the billionaire’s words with a flirtatious reply, but Serenity only said simply, “Thank you.” And then she was gone.
Watching the billionaire gaze after his patient like his heart had gone with her, the doctor said quietly, “What exactly are your intentions towards Ms. Raleigh?”
Stiffening at the question, Willem slowly turned to face the doctor. “What exactly are you insinuating?”
“Nothing at all,” the doctor answered. “All I want is a simple, straightforward answer to a question.”
“She’s the younger sister of the woman I occasionally see.”
“And do you treat the other younger sisters of women you date the same way?”
Willem didn’t answer, but a muscle started ticking in his jaw.
“The minds of girls Serenity’s age are very impressionable, Mr. de Konigh. I hope you remember that.”
“She’s just a child, for God’s sake,” Willem snapped.
“She is still a child...for now.” The doctor’s gaze held a warning. “But she will be eighteen next year, and she won’t be a child then, at least as far as the law’s concerned.”
The billionaire’s jaw hardened. “I have no wicked designs on her.”
“I’m inclined to believe you, but the thing is, Mr. de Konigh...that’s not the only issue here.” The doctor gestured towards the door, where they could hear Serenity happily chatting with the billionaire’s bodyguards. “Can you completely assure me, though, that she does not expect anything from you?”