Chapter 45
As soon as they entered, Zena and Thurman went to greet their guests.
With years of experience in the business world, the couple mingled easily, laughter and conversation flowing naturally as they charmed everyone around them.
Slater, unwilling to engage with Seren-especially with Lennon present-quickly excused himself to avoid any awkwardness.
Soon, only Swain, Carla, Seren, and Lennon remained together.
Seren had never enjoyed noisy gatherings. She disliked making small talk with strangers or getting drawn into the endless gossip of the older women. In truth, she’d never attended such parties before and found the whole affair loud and tedious.
She glanced around, searching for a quiet corner, and slipped away from the crowd.
But before she could get far, Carla stepped in front of her, all bright smiles and practiced charm.
“Sis, aren’t you going to introduce me to your husband? You were gone in Riverbend City for three years, and I still haven’t met him p>
The words “Riverbend City” and “three years” hung in the air, and the nearby guests immediately perked up, their gazes turning toward Seren with new, probing interest.
They’d nearly forgotten: three years ago, Seren had disappeared with a man to Riverbend City, unmarried and unacknowledged. That scandal had branded her as a cautionary tale-a stain on the family’s reputation.
Since then, she’d been whispered about as the rebellious example, the one who refused to listen or repent.
Lennon’s expression didn’t change. He glanced at Carla, then silently stepped closer to Seren, positioning his tall frame protectively between her and the prying stares.
Trailing behind Seren, Swain’s face darkened as he caught what was happening. Stepping forward, he grabbed Carla’s hand. “Carla, what nonsense are you spouting? Your sister’s not married-how could she possibly have a husband p>
Carla froze, momentarily stunned by Swain’s sharp tone. He was clearly defending Seren-something he’d never done before. He’d always sided with Carla, no matter what.
“Swain, Carla’s always been thoughtful and well-behaved. How
could she possibly be talking nonsense?” Seren sneered, her lips curling into a cool, faint smitë
“Carla’s right about ones
thing I did
spend three years in Riverbend City-taking care of an ex-boyfriend who was bedridden after an
accident. But it’s over now. We broke up p>
She met Carla’s eyes, unflinching. “Everyone makes mistakes when they’re young. Who hasn’t loved the wrong person once or twice? Büt Carla, there’s no need to bring it up in front of everyone unless y want people to question your intentions p>
To the Bradley family, those three years had been a deep
าวเ
embarrassment, but Seren had never been ashamed. She’d done nothing wrong, nothing to hide or be ashamed of. She a faced the world with a fear conscience, never afraid of idle gossip.
Since Carla had brought it up, she might as well set the record straight.
Carla’s face flushed red and then white, her composure faltering.
“So, she went to Riverbend City to care for a man who wouldn’t even marry her? The nerve of that guy,” someone whispered.
“Yeah, and now he’s just her ex. Poor girl, wasted three years on someone who didn’t deserve her,” another chimed in sympathetically.
“If my son was paralyzed and a girl stuck by his side for three years, I’d marry her into the family in a heartbeat! Seren’s loyalty is something you don’t see every day p>
Suddenly, the guests who had once gossiped and judged were now murmuring in her defense, indignant on her behalf.
Swain, however, was silent, stunned by Seren’s calm refusal of his protection. Hearing his old phrase “Carla’s always been thoughtful and well-behaved”-now echoed back at him by Seren herself, stung far more than he’d expected.
Seren turned back to Carla, her smile still cool. “But as it happens, I am married. I suppose now’s the perfect time to introduce you to my husband p>
She looked at Lennon, and this time her eyes sparkled. Without hesitation, she took his hand. “This is Lennon Crestwell-my husband p>
Lennon squeezed her hand, his face steady, but his trembling fingers betrayed the storm of emotion inside. He’d waited ten years for this moment.
“What? You married Lennon Crestwell?!” Carla, usually the picture of composure -the darling of Seaside City’s social scene-couldn’t contain her shock. For once, she completely forgot her poise, blurting out her disbelief for all to hear.