Chapter 13
At that moment in Seaside City, Seren and Lennon were together over dinner.
She couldn’t help but notice: every dish on the table happened to be something she liked. Maybe it was just a coincidence, or maybe not.
What surprised her most was how much she and Lennon seemed to have in common-not just in taste, but in interests too. Even when she brought up topics like classical art, Lennon always had insight to offer. No matter what she mentioned, the conversation flowed effortlessly.
Outside, the river sparkled in the evening light. The view was spectacular, and the atmosphere so warm and easy that time slipped by unnoticed. The unpleasant phone call from earlier felt like a distant memory, pushed far from her mind.
By the time they finished their meal, it was ten o’clock. Seren made her excuses, thanked Lennon for dinner, and rose to leave.
Lennon stood as well, escorting her to the entrance of the bistro. He offered, in perfect gentlemanly fashion, “Would you like me to drive you home p>
She shook her head with a polite smile. “That’s all right—I drove myself p>
Seren had borrowed one of Nadine’s many cars for the evening-a sleek Porsche, much more practical than the collection of luxury vehicles usually gathering dust in Nadine’s garage.
Lennon nodded. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow, then p>
“See you tomorrow,” Seren replied, waving over her shoulder as she walked away, not once glancing back.
She had agreed to marry Lennon, yes-but right now, all she felt for him was a kind of detached appreciation, nothing more.
If she had turned around, she might have glimpsed the tenderness in Lennon’s eyes as he watched her go-feelings he couldn’t quite hide, lingering in the night air.
Back at Nadine’s spacious apartment, Seren parked in the underground garage. As soon as she cut the engine, her phone buzzed with a WhatsApp message from Sheridan:
[Enough drama. Come home p>
Drama? Seren let out a bitter little laugh.
Even now, Sheridan still thought she was being unreasonable.
Three years ago, she’d believed that if she gave enough, she’d earn real love. Only now, after running headlong into disappointment after disappointment, did she finally understand: give your heart to the wrong person, and no amount of effort will ever be enough.
She had said all there was to say to Sheridan. Anything more would just be dragging it out-a waste of breath and time.
Without hesitation, Seren closed the chat and blocked Sheridan on WhatsApp. Then, with a few taps, she found both Sheridan and Diana Yates’ numbers in her contacts and added them to her block list as well.
She’d made her decision. She was going to marry Lennon, and all ties to Sheridan-and the Powers family-needed to be severed, once and for all.
She expected to feel some sadness after doing all this. Instead, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders-a sense of relief she hadn’t known she was missing She would never aga have to face Sheridan’s suffocating temper, or the barrage of
accusations and questions from the Powers family.
Seren’s thoughts shifted to tomorrow: she’d promised to take Lennon to meet her
grandfather, Old Mr. Rutledge. She picked up her phone and called him.
The truth was Thurman and Zena were always busy with their careers-she’d grown up at the Rutledge family estate. Even as an adult, she only stayed at the Bradley house occasionally never forlong She’d always sensed that Zena didn’t care for her much.
But Old Mr. Rutledge adored her. Seren and Nadine were both his granddaughters, but it was Seren who’d grown up by his side, and he’d always favored her just a little more.
After a few rings, Old Mr. Rutledge answered.
Hearing his familiar voice, Seren felt her throat tighten. “Grandpa… I broke up with Sheridan p>
It had been a long day, and she hadn’t had the chance to tell him yet.
“I heard from Nadine,” Old Mr. Rutledge said. “To be honest, I never thought much
of Sheridan or his family. Their character always seemed lacking. No wedding, not even a proper engagement-how could you expect happiness in a family like that p>
“I kept quiet before because I knew you wouldn’t want to hear it, but I’m glad you broke things off. Don’t be sad, darling. Sometimes the best thing you can do is cut your losses before it’s too late p>
He’d wanted to say these things for years, and now he finally could.
“It’s over now, so leave it in the past. You’re an incredible young woman, Seren— you deserve so much better. Sheridan Powers never deserved you p>
There was no blame in Old Mr. Rutledge’s voice, only warmth and concern. Seren felt her eyes grow hot.
Three years ago, she’d been reckless-she hadn’t cared about Sheridan’s disability, or her own future. She’d run headlong into love, convinced that was enough.
Even then, Old Mr. Rutledge hadn’t
blamed her not once. He’d only told
her to look after herself, and that if
the Power’s family ever treated her badly if she was ever hurt, she could always come home the doors of the Rutledge family would always be open to her, here in Seaside City.