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)
“Women problems, no doubt,” Wilhemina murmured.
Willem wasn’t fooled by his grandmother’s tone. “Do not interfere, Your Majesty.” He had no doubt that the queen had already made it her business to find out everything between him and Serenity, who she had always expressed fondness for.
“Ah. So you admit that there is a problem.”
“Oma.” His voice was soft.
She raised her hand in a placating gesture. “Yes, yes, I understand. I shall not meddle.” The twinkle in her eyes faded, and concern lined her voice when she said, “I just want to make sure you are okay, dear.”
“I am.” He changed the subject. “I spoke with Gabe last night, by the way. I don’t believe he’s coming back anytime soon.” As the Crown Prince’s only legitimate son, Gabe was third in line to the throne, and local press had begun to question his prolonged absence from the kingdom.
Wilhemina was quiet for a moment. “We do not need to force him to come back yet,” she said finally, and with her words she let Willem know she was allowing herself to be sidetracked. With this grandson of hers, any interference from her would be considered a slight, an insult to his independence. And after everything he had suffered as a child, Wilhemina knew that she would rather hurt herself than make Willem feel weak again.
When it was time to end the video call, Willem made an effort to sound more his normal self as he bid the queen farewell. “I’ll see you soon, oma.”
“Of course.” But he could see with the way worry still shadowed her faded blue eyes that he had failed. Willem tiredly closed his eyes as he leaned back against his seat.
His life was a fucking mess, and even the queen – who was thousands of miles away – knew this.
Something had to fucking give, but what?
His mobile phone buzzed in his pocket, and after a moment, Willem resignedly took his phone out.
It was a text message from Serenity’s older sister.
“YOU LOOK HORRIBLE,” Melanie said by way of greeting when her stepdaughter entered the dining room. She had hoped to draw blood, but as always, her words seemed to fall on deaf ears, with Serenity only smiling wanly as she took her usual place at the table.
Bitch, she thought. She knew that most people thought of her stepdaughter as Willem Jr., and the implication that Serenity was as perfect as the Dutch billionaire irked Melanie to no end.
Had the world gone crazy? Even Willem de Konigh himself knew Serenity was far from perfect. Melanie didn’t believe a single word about her stepdaughter having to resign due to over-fatigue.
Yeah right, Melanie thought with a sneer as she looked at her pale-looking stepdaughter. No doubt, the billionaire had found her lack of personality tiresome and boring, but he was just too much of a gentleman to say so.
The only perfect thing about Serenity was her taste in clothes, Melanie thought grudgingly, but other than that, the girl was perfectly flawed. Ballet had been the only thing the girl had going for her. But no, the idiot just had to break her leg and, in the process, cause Melanie’s ex-husband to kill himself.
The reminder of Daniel Raleigh’s death made Melanie grit her teeth, and she snapped at Serenity, “I’ll need your next month’s rent in advance.” It was this girl’s fault Daniel was dead, this girl’s fault that she no longer had Daniel’s monthly alimony payments and was thus forced to work while her other friends continued to live in the lap of luxury.
“Yes, ma’am.”
The quick acquiescence should have pleased Melanie, but it only made her angrier. “I suppose you’re thinking I’m being greedy?”
“No, ma’am.”
“I could have chosen not to take the guardianship, you know. I could have let you go to Social Services.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
And so it went on. Serenity was used to Melanie blaming her for everything, and a small part of her believed every word her stepmother uttered.
If she had just danced like Daniel wanted, her father would not be dead. Melanie would still have her money. And she would have only known Willem de Konigh as Shane’s boyfriend.
When Melanie took a deep breath, Serenity wondered absently if it was fine to start eating now. Her stomach had started to rumble, reminding her that she had forgotten to eat anything since returning home.
Telling herself she had nothing to lose, Serenity started to reach for the ladle to have some soup—-
“Have you no manners?” Melanie hissed. “We should wait for your sister!”
Serenity quickly pulled her hand back and placed it on her lap. “I’m sorry.” She didn’t even consider reminding Melanie that she hadn’t known about Shane joining them, knowing it would only anger her stepmother more.
The minutes passed, and there was still no sign of Shane. Her stomach rumbled for the third time, now loud enough for Melanie to hear. She felt her stepmother glaring at her, but Serenity deliberately kept her gaze trained on her plate, pretending dumb ignorance.