Chapter 6
“Is he a dog or something? Who goes back for their own mess without a hint of shame p>
Nadine’s voice crackled through the phone, brimming with indignation.
Seren didn’t respond.
Crass as Nadine’s words were, she couldn’t deny the truth in them.
Back then, when Sheridan lost the use of his legs, Willa had wasted no time abandoning him and running off to Meridia. Now, Sheridan could just let Willa back into his life-like nothing had ever happened. No remorse, no hesitation.
Most people couldn’t do that. Seren knew she certainly couldn’t.
Sensing the heavy silence, Nadine quickly shifted gears, her tone softening.
“So, what are you planning to do now that you’re back in Seaside City? Are you going back to Riverbend p>
“No. I’m not p>
“You’re sure p>
“I am p>
Nadine’s relief was palpable, her voice light and brash again.
“Good. There’s no point wasting another ounce of emotion on a guy like that. Coming back to Seaside City is the best thing for you. There are plenty of good men here I’ll introduce you to a proper local this time p>
“And don’t you disappear again, you hear me? These past three years, when I missed you, you were always thousands of miles away. Honestly, getting to see you even once a year felt nearly impossible p>
There was a hint of wistfulness in Nadine’s words.
Seren found herself reflecting, too. Three years ago, she’d uprooted her entire life for Sheridan, chasing after him all the way to Riverbend City. Since then, her visits home had been few and far between. After marrying Sheridan, she hadn’t come back at all.
Even a caged bird longs for its old forest-how could she, so far from home, not miss Seaside City?
Of course she’d wanted to return. But after Sheridan’s accident, he’d grown short- tempered and impossible to be around. The staff were too afraid to get close- everything fell to her. She couldn’t leave, not even for a moment.
And just like that, three years had slipped by.
Seren didn’t answer the rest of Nadine’s rambling. She only said, “Don’t worry. Once I’m back in Seaside City, we can see each other every day. This time, you won’t be able to get rid of me even if you try p>
“Deal! There are so many new places to eat in Seaside City. When you get here, I’m taking you out—we’ll feast until we can’t move p>
“Sounds good. See you soon. Now go get some sleep, you night owl p>
They didn’t drag it out. Seren hung up.
She knew from experience-if she let Nadine keep talking, the sun would be up before the call ended.
Afterwards, Seren sent a quick message to her mother, Zena Rutledge.
Mom, Sheridan and I have split up. If he calls or messages you, just ignore it. Seren hadn’t wanted to mention the breakup to Zena at all.
Partly because, back then, she’d chosen Sheridan against her mother’s wishes, stubborn to the point of foolishness. Now, admitting it hadn’t worked out felt like rubbing salt in her own wounds.
And partly because, honestly, Zena just didn’t care.
Despite being mother and daughter, they’d always been distant. Seren had always been headstrong, never the obedient, well-mannered daughter Zena had hoped for.
The Bradleys were a well-known
family in Riverbend City, and Zena
had always wanted to mold Serene
.n
into the perfect society lady: gracious, polite, fitting neatly into a carefully planned future All Seren had to do was follow the script.
But Seren refused. She was determined to follow her own path, even defying Zena to study painting with Mr. Shaw – which Zena believed was beneath their status.
What mother likes a disobedient daughter? Zena certainly didn’t.
Her younger sister, Carla Bradley, was the opposite-brilliant, eager-to-please, the picture of poise. If Zena wanted her to take up goff or equestrian lessons, Carla would do it without complaint the very
embodiment of Seaside City’s
upper-crust debutantes.
With Carla as the golden child, Seren-the black sheep-was all but forgotten.
Ever since Seren had insisted on pursuing art, Zena had washed her hands of her. Even when Seren left for Riverbend City with Sheridan, unmarried and unapproved, Zena only made a passing comment and never brought it up again.
For three years, not a single phone call. Not one message. In front of relatives
and friends, Zena never mentioned her at all.
Seren was a stain-something Zena preferred to pretend didn’t exist.
Her brothers, Swain and Slater Bradley, were equally cold.
If it hadn’t been for Nadine keeping in touch, Seren would’ve felt utterly alone.
Still, Seren knew Sheridan and Diana Yates both had ways to contact Zena. If they found out she’d left The Golden Age, they’d reach out to her mother for sure.
So she sent that one brief message, telling Zena only that she and Sheridan were over-never once mentioning she was headed home to Seaside City.