Chapter 5
Seren snapped out of her thoughts, straightened up, and hastily apologized. “Sorry, sir p>
The man’s voice was low and calm. “It’s all right.” he said.
The car rolled into the heart of the city, neon lights flickering outside. The driver, ever considerate, hopped out first to unload her suitcase from the trunk.
Before getting out, Seren paused and turned to the man in the backseat. “Thank you,” she said again.
The man, who’d been silent this whole ride, actually turned his head. His gaze landed on her face; his lips parted as if he rarely spoke.
“It’s not safe for a young woman to be out alone this late. Please take care of yourself p>
Then his pale, elegant hand reached out, offering a business card.
“My personal number’s on here. If you run into anything you can’t handle, call me p>
Seren blinked, a little stunned, before taking the card. She lowered her gaze and murmured a soft thank you.
The car door clicked shut. The black Bentley pulled away into the night, leaving her standing on the curb with a mix of emotions.
Did she just sense… the faintest trace of concern in his voice?
But Seren quickly shook off the thought.
Reading too much into a stranger’s tone wasn’t a good sign; it just meant she’d gone too long without anyone caring about her. So long that a few casual words from a stranger could make her imagine tenderness that wasn’t there.
She sighed, pushing away the stray thoughts. He was probably just being polite. Showing some sympathy for someone who’s hit rock bottom-the way you might feel sorry for a stray animal.
She slipped the business card into her pocket without a second glance, hefted her suitcase, and continued down the sidewalk.
As luck would have it, her hotel was just around the corner.
Tonight, she’d have to stay here; after all, she had no friends or family in Riverbend City. There wasn’t a soul she could call for a spare couch.
Sometimes Seren thought back on the past three years and felt a little dazed. How had she managed to survive in this strange city, completely alone?
Once inside, she checked in and headed up to her room. The very first thing she did was book a ticket back to Seaside City.
There were over a dozen flights from Riverbend to Seaside every day; she chose the earliest one, departing at nine.
She sprawled out on the hotel bed, but sleep wouldn’t come. She’d always had trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places.
It was a high-end hotel, at least. She pulled open the curtains and stared through a wall of glass at the city below. The night was pitch black, the wind howling between buildings, and scattered fights twinkled in the distance.
Three years ago, Seren would have snapped a picture and posted it with some poetic, moody caption, secretly hoping Sheridan would read between the lines and understand her feelings.
But that was three years ago.
Back then, she’d just turned twenty, still a hopeful girl, starry-eyed about love and the future. She’d thought love had to be epic, dramatic, life-changing.
At twenty-three, she was different more steady, more grounded. She finally understood that love didn’t require grand gestures or earth-shattering passion. It just had to be real.
Even fairy tales, she knew now, had to contend with bills and everyday reality.
Seren curled up in the corner of the sofa by the window, knees hugged to her chest, letting herself relax for the first time all day.
She checked her phone. It was already past two in the morning-no missed calls, no unread messages.
She scrolled through her contacts, page after page, until she landed on “Nadine Brewer p>
Never mind the hour. Seren dialed.
Nadine was her cousin—really more like a sister, since they’d grown up side by side. Nadine had always looked out for her, and Seren’s first instinct was to reach out now.
A male singer’s soulful voice was cut off halfway through the ringtone, and then Nadine’s groggy voice came on the line. “Hello? Seren? What’s going on p>
Seren’s voice was steady. “Nadine, I’m coming back to Seaside. My flight’s at nine this morning p>
“Nine? Okay, I’ll pick you up at the airport. Wait, why are you coming back all of a sudden? Did you have a fight with Sheridan p>
Seren shook her head, even though Nadine couldn’t see. “No, we didn’t fight. It’s just… Willa’s back p>
“Willa? Sheridan’s old flame?” Nadine’s voice shot up several decibels.
“Wait a minute, let me get this straight. You took care of Sheridan for three whole years, got him back on his feet, and now the second he’s better he goes running back to that ex who totally dumped him
“Seriously, how can anyone be so thankless after everything? And so weak- willed p>