Chapter 14
Three years ago, Old Mr. Rutledge’s words weighed so heavily on her that she hesitated just before boarding her flight.
For someone as stubborn as Seren, it was rare for her to go against her pride and actually call home. But that day, she dialed the Bradley family number and told Zena she was heading to Riverbend City.
In most families, if a daughter was young and impulsive, parents would at least try to reason with her, maybe offer gentle advice.
But Zena didn’t do any of that.
She just snapped at Seren-twice.
The first thing she said was something Seren had never heard from her mother in her entire life.
The second was even worse: that Seren was shameless, throwing herself at a man, with not an ounce of dignity, and making the Bradley family a laughingstock.
From the other end, Seren could hear her father, Thurman, and her older brother, Swain, in the background. Not a word of defense from either of them.
Their silence was as loud as any condemnation; they agreed with Zena. To them, she was an embarrassment.
Carla, her younger sister, couldn’t resist chiming in from the side with that trademark snide tone: “Well, I could never be like you, Sis-giving up everything for love p>
As for her second brother, Slater, he just scoffed, “If she wants to be a doormat, let her. No point wasting breath. Some people are just hopeless p>
Seren couldn’t even describe what she felt that day.
Words that cruel, that venomous-they don’t hurt much coming from strangers.
But from your own family, they’re devastating.
It felt like her world was crumbling, her mind ringing with the sheer violence of their judgment.
Three years later, she still couldn’t remember how she ended that call. All she knew was that she boarded her flight and never looked back.
Yet the sting of those words lingered, their echo still clear in her ears.
“I heard from Nadine that you’ve got a date set up? Who’s the lucky guy? Do you
like him?” Old Mr. Rutledge’s voice cut through her thoughts.
He didn’t wait for her to answer before changing direction.
This was the real question he’d wanted to ask all along-not about Sheridan, but this.
That afternoon, Nadine had called him and casually mentioned it; she hadn’t even gotten to the details before she had to dash off for an emergency, ending the call in a rush.
Seren hesitated, then responded honestly.
“The Crestwell family. Lennon… I suppose I do like him p>
“That’s wonderful news!” Old Mr. Rutledge’s voice rose an octave, unable to hide his excitement.
“Bring him home for lunch tomorrow, and I’ll pick a good date for the wedding. You two should tie the knot as soon as possible p>
Seren had been wondering how to broach the topic of marrying Lennon with her grandfather.
Only now did it dawn on her that she might be rushing things.
But Old Mr Rutledge was in even more of a hurry than she was. The moment he heard the name Lennon, he was already planning the
wedd readyng the
to marry them off
on the spot.
Suddenly, something occurred to Seren. “Grandpa, do you know Lennon p>
“Of course do. Old man Crestwell brought him around to visit years ago. The boy’s impressive in every Way You’ve met him, but you were just a child-I doubt you remember p>
“I liked him back then, too. He was well-mannered, good character. I always thought you two would make a great match someday p>
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Seren remembered how, growing up, she’d had plenty of suitors. No matter who they were, Old Mr.- Rutledge always found fault, nsisting none of them were good enough for her.
But Lennon? He couldn’t stop praising him.
What surprised her most was that she and Lennon had actually met before. She genuinely had no memory of it.
“Let’s set it, then. Bring him for lunch; I’ll have Joyce prepare in advance,” Old Mr. Rutledge declared.
“Alright,” Seren agreed. She’d already planned to introduce Lennon to the Rutledge family, so she didn’t argue.
It was late. After confirming the arrangements, Seren said her goodnights and
hung up.
She set her phone aside and tried to sleep, but rest didn’t come easy.
Her mind kept drifting to dinner-the way every dish had been something she loved.
Was it just coincidence? Or had Lennon remembered her tastes and ordered especially for her?
She scolded herself for the flight of fancy.
After all, ten years ago she hadn’t remembered Lennon, and there was no reason
to think he’d remembered her.
She was attractive, sure-but a man like Lennon, with his looks and success, was never short of admirers. Especially beautiful ones.