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)
Serenity fixed her gaze numbly on the windows.
Because I loved, she thought dully. It was that simple, agonizingly so. She had loved, but it had not been returned.
SERENITY’S MELANCHOLIC mood did not leave her even when she had made it to the VU and was surrounded by lively chatter and laughter from students her age. She saw but didn’t really see them. It didn’t feel right, to be here, and she had a terrifying fear that Netherlands would never feel right again, not as long as she knew the Dutch billionaire was also living in the same country, breathing the same air she did.
She was supposed to go to the university’s admissions office, but instead she found herself drifting to the university’s library. There was a newsstand, and right in the center of the front pages was a photo of Willem himself. Before she knew what she was doing, she had already plucked the newspaper off, her eyes quickly scanning the article.
One word jumped out of her.
Milan.
According to the report, no one had expected Willem to be at the Milan business conference, and his presence had sent everyone in a flurry. Analysts voiced out their wildest predictions, which ranged from the Dutch billionaire being interested in rescuing an iconic but financially struggling Italian company to simply being there because he had a dalliance with an Italian starlet.
They hadn’t known at all, Serenity thought, but Shane had.
Her sister had known as early as yesterday.
And suddenly, she’d had enough.
MELANIE WAS STILL SCREECHING and raging.
“Do you think I’m just going to let you leave like that, you ungrateful little bitch?”
Serenity remained quietly in her seat, appearing to listen but not really hearing anything.
“Answer me!” Melanie’s fist slammed down, and the plates on the table rattled at the impact.
Serenity opened her mouth to answer, but before she could do so, the door to the dining room opened and her half-sister came sailing in.
“Jesus,” Shane drawled, “that’s quite a racket you’re making, mother dear. What’s wrong?” She bent down to kiss her mother’s cheek before claiming the seat across Serenity. She allowed herself a quick survey of the younger woman’s features and was satisfied at the sight of Serenity’s red and swollen eyes.
Boo-hoo-hoo, Shane thought without an ounce of pity.
Melanie threw a fuming look at her stepdaughter. “Maybe you can talk to this ungrateful little bitch instead,” she gritted out to Shane. “The fool wants to leave my house to study in Greece!”
Shane’s eyebrows arched up in surprise. “Greece?” She disliked the idea immensely, only because it would mean not being able to torture her sister every day and seeing the impact of her words on Serenity’s face. “I agree with my mother. It’s not a good idea for someone like you to—-”
Serenity quietly interrupted, “But I am going.”
Shane’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?” She waited for Serenity to back down, like she always did, but instead her younger sister only met her gaze, pale-faced and unspeaking. Serenity had never gone against either her or Melanie, and for one crazy moment, she wondered if Serenity had found out the truth.
No, impossible, Shane thought even as her heart raced in apprehension. That night Willem had come knocking on her door, he had been unequivocal and adamant in his request: Serenity was to believe he and Shane continued to see each other, and for Shane to say whatever was necessary to keep Serenity away from him.
“Before I agree, I want you to answer me first.” Shane turned to face him. She was dressed in a near-transparent nightgown and was completely naked under the loose, flowing lace. She watched his expression obsessively, but to her fury and humiliation, the Dutch billionaire only looked at her as if he was seeing another man.
“I know what you want to ask, and my answer is that it doesn’t matter.” The billionaire’s voice was clipped, his face hard. “I can see on your face you know I’ve spent the night with her. It was the first time – and it will be the last, with your cooperation.”
“Was it because she was a virgin and I’m not?” Shane couldn’t stop herself from demanding harshly. “Is that your new fetish? Deflowering—-” The icy anger that blazed on Willem de Konigh’s blue eyes cut her off, and she had to swallow the rest of what she wanted to say.
“Never,” the billionaire said very softly, “say something like that in my presence again.”
“I’m sorry.” At the face of Willem de Konigh’s anger, Shane was quick to apologize. “But you can’t blame me, Willem. I know you don’t love me, but my sister? Why her, of all people?” She, too, knew Willem long enough to read him. She knew, just by looking at him, that the game was up as far as her innocent charade was concerned. But she also knew she still had a shot to remain in his good graces, if she played her cards right.