Chapter 60
Carla looked up in surprise, her eyes lighting up. “You’re back, Ethan p>
Ethan’s gaze softened with quiet affection. “Yeah, I’m back p>
As Carla lifted her face, Ethan immediately noticed the bright red handprint on her cheek. His expression darkened in an instant. “Carla, what happened to your face p>
Carla instinctively tried to shield her cheek, her voice timid and uncertain. “It’s nothing, Ethan. Really, it doesn’t hurt p>
“Who did this to you p>
She hesitated for a long moment, fiddling with her fingers, before finally steeling herself to answer. “It was my sister. She just got home p>
Ethan’s eyes narrowed, his voice sharp. “Why would she hit you p>
Carla recounted what had happened, embellishing the story here and there to make herself sound even more pitiful. When she finished, she lowered her head, her hands wringing together.
“I really don’t know why she hit me. Maybe I said something that upset her p>
Ethan’s face was thunderous.
He’d spent the past few days reflecting, wondering if he’d been too harsh with Seren. Maybe that’s why Lennon had gotten so angry, pulling their company out of the partnership. He’d even considered apologizing to Seren for slapping her that day.
And now this.
It was all clear to him now-he wasn’t the one at fault. It was Seren.
She was vindictive, petty, and apparently had even turned Lennon against him with her whispers. And now, without so much as a reason, she’d hit Carla as well.
No remorse, just growing arrogance!
He hadn’t been too harsh that day-Seren had deserved everything she got.
“I can’t imagine what the Crestwell family was thinking, letting a woman like that into their lives and indulging her like this. Sooner or later, they’re going to regret it p>
Ethan’s fists clenched tight, his anger barely contained.
Swain had already retreated to his room, his mind in turmoil. He began rummaging through his things, searching for any trace of Seren in his life— something to prove to himself that he hadn’t treated her so badly after all.
But there was nothing. The room felt cold and empty.
His shelves and display cases were filled with gifts from Carla, all sorts of awards and certificates he’d kept for her. But there wasn’t a single thing from Seren.
And yet, she had given him gifts.
Back in school, it was trendy to fold
paper stars and give them to friends.
Seren had spent days folding a whole jar of them just for him, her eyes red with exhaustion Hed thought it was childish and ugly, and tossed it aside somewhere. It must have gotten thrown out by the housekeeper, because he hadn’t seen it in ages.
He’d only learned later, by chance, how much effort she’d put into it. But even knowing that, he hadn’t cared much. It was just something that happened, nothing more.
A strange pang twisted in Swain’s chest.
On impulse, he pulled out his phone to scroll through old messages with Seren, hoping to find something that would reassure him.
But there was nothing. No message threads, barely even a couple of call logs. He opened WhatsApp-her chat window was empty, except for the lone message he’d sent her days ago still sitting there unanswered.
He checked her social media and saw she’d posted an update. Swain’s eyes lingered on the post for a long time. Only now did it strike him: Seren hadn’t posted anything in ages.
Beneath her post was a comment
from Nadine, with Seren’s playful
reply. Their banter was lively, full of
inside jokes. Swain realized with a jolt that he’d always scrolled right past Seren’s updates, never paying attention never commenting. habit so ingrained he’d never questioned it.
His fingers trembled as he liked her post and left a stilted comment: Congratulations.
He waited a long time, hoping for a reply. None came.
Swain told himself she was just busy, that was all.
Then a notification popped up-someone had commented on Seren’s post.
Swain’s heart leapt as he tapped to open it.
But it wasn’t Seren replying to him. It was Nadine again, chiming in:
“Nadine: This is such big news! You’d better treat me to dinner soon. After all, I’m basically your matchmaker p>
Disappointment flickered in Swain’s eyes.
A moment later, another comment appeared:
“Seren replied to Nadine: Of course. Just let me know when you’re free p>
Seren hadn’t replied to him at all, but she’d answered Nadine right away.
Swain’s heart sank, the light in his eyes dimming until it was gone.