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)
Willow: If you’re okay, then why can’t you make yourself talk to him? You need closure. You both do.
Serenity: Only people in love need closure.
She winced as soon as she hit Send. Way to go, Serenity. You are officially Little Miss Bitter.
Willow: You’re saying he doesn’t love you?
Serenity: He never did.
Just typing the words hurt, and she had to bite her lip hard to stop it from trembling. To distract herself, she stared blindly at the picturesque scenery outside the expansive windows of ODA. This side of the building faced the port, which afforded them tranquil views of sailboats traversing the city’s dark blue waters.
These days, most of her time was spent in the library, with Serenity finding it a safe haven from Melanie’s constant harping about money as well as Shane’s continuous gushing about Willem and how she was absolutely sure he’d propose to her in the future.
The first night following the billionaire’s visit, Shane had shared with them her rosy visions of the future. It had made Serenity want to puke, with the way Shane kept saying his name. Willem, Willem, Willem. It had made Serenity want to alternately cover her ears and scream. Willem was hers. She had wanted so much to tell her sister that.
But she didn’t.
Because it wasn’t true.
Even so, the urge hadn’t gone away, and Serenity had eventually found herself escaping to the library, staying there until its doors closed for the day. After, she would cycle up and down the canals, pedaling until she was bone tired, and going home only when she was no longer able to keep her eyelids open.
It was a good strategy to avoid speaking with either Melanie or Shane, but it had not worked at all in keeping Willem out of the picture.
Wherever she went, she saw Willem.
Whatever she did, she thought of Willem.
And no matter how much she prayed, she felt Willem – inside her, owning half of her heart.
Willow: I’m here for you, okay? I know I’m not good at comforting, but you should know that I’m the last person to judge you, with what you’re going through right now.
The message made Serenity press her fingers to her eyes, the need to confide making her want to cry. But how could she burden Willow with the truth when even she knew what was right?
Shane had met Willem de Konigh first, had slept with him, and knew him in ways that Serenity didn’t.
She, Serenity, was the third party here – not Shane.
“I DON’T UNDERSTAND why we have to bring Serenity with us,” Melanie muttered as she and her daughter walked past the black lacquered doors held open by a pair of uniformed men, Serenity trailing behind them quietly.
A mysterious smile played on Shane’s lips. “I promise, Mother, I have my reasons, and they’re reasons you’ll love.” Curling an arm around Melanie’s, she led her mother into the room reserved for the VIP guests of the House of Ivy, which was touted as one of Amsterdam’s best high-end fashion boutiques.
Melanie’s eyes widened imperceptibly when she realized where they were heading. “You know I can’t afford this,” she hissed under her breath. While her services as a party stylist was very much in demand by Dutch society, the fees she earned could in no way pay for a House of Ivy original. Vogue had recently featured the fashion house, and Melanie had been stunned to find the new label was charging five-digit prices for a single piece.
But her daughter only patted her hand. “That won’t be a problem, darling, because...” She paused for effect as the tinted, motion-sensor glass doors in front of them slid open, revealing a tall, blond man waiting for them, immaculately dressed in a charcoal gray suit and hand-sewn Italian leather shoes.
Melanie released a tinkling laugh. “Oh, it’s Willem again.” She shot her daughter a look of approval before moving forward to exchange air kisses with the billionaire. Oh, to have this deliciously rich man as a son-in-law, she thought dreamily. Her problems would be solved forever!
Serenity felt faint, unable to fathom how she had found herself once again in the billionaire’s company. Dazedly, she tried to recall what Shane’s exact words had been. The entire family had been invited to a private fashion event, and they all had to attend because she didn’t want to be bothered to make up excuses about Serenity’s absence.
Was that true, she wondered dizzily. But if it wasn’t, why would Shane lie?
Even as her thoughts continued to run wild, Serenity fought to stay calm and keep her gaze on the black-and-white patterns of the boutique’s velvet-flocked wallpaper. It was ornate and elegant at the same time, and she tried to distract herself, counting the swirls in her mind as Melanie and Shane exchanged pleasantries with the billionaire.
But only a few seconds had passed before she heard her sister calling her name, and Serenity knew she had no choice.