Chapter 2

That evening, I had dinner with a few friends at an upscale restaurant in Boston’s Back Bay.

As we were settling the bill, I ran into Abigail Finch.

“Serena, Dominic is here too. Do you want to go say hello?”

I waved her off lightly. “No, I have plans with my friends. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

Abigail’s eyes suddenly brimmed with tears. “Serena, I know my background doesn’t match his.”

“But could you stop speaking poorly of me in front of the Fletcher family elders?”

I stared at her in disbelief. “Miss Finch, I have never mentioned you to anyone.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked at me, her voice trembling. “I understand. You’ve been his fiancée since childhood and have always loved him deeply.”

“It’s normal that you’d struggle to accept our relationship at first.”

“But Serena, we’re both women. Can’t you learn to let go?”

I’ve never been one for subtlety or playing games. Her words ignited a fire in me, and I snapped, “Abigail, stop spouting nonsense—”

Before I could finish, Abigail suddenly went limp and collapsed to her knees.

“Serena, I’m begging you,” she whimpered.

I was startled and instinctively reached out to help her.

Before my hand could reach her, she flung herself backward.

“Serena Brooks, what are you doing?”

Dominic Fletcher’s furious voice rang out behind me.

A powerful shove sent me stumbling, and I slammed into the marble railing nearby. Pain shot through my arm like a lightning bolt, spreading instantly across my body.

“Dominic, let me explain. This is just a misunderstanding—”

“Don’t even try to deny it!” he roared. “How long have you been playing these games?”

He wrapped Abigail protectively in his arms, glaring at me with eyes full of disdain, as though I were some criminal who had betrayed the family.

“Serena, apologize to her. Now.”

“Dominic…”

“Shut up and apologize!”

Abigail trembled in his embrace, silent tears streaming down her face, painting her as the perfect image of fragile innocence.

Meanwhile, my arm was already bruising, the skin turning an angry shade of purple as blood pooled beneath the surface. The sight of my injury was stark and undeniable.

But Dominic didn’t even glance at it.

The way he looked at me, it was as though I were nothing more than a disgrace to my family name.

I forced a bitter smile and refused to argue further.

“I’m sorry,” I said flatly.

Dominic paused for a moment, as if taken aback, but his expression quickly hardened again. “That’s not sincere enough.”

I straightened my back, ignoring the searing pain in my arm, and bent forward in a deep bow. “Will this suffice?”

Abigail looked at me, the corners of her lips twitching upward in a fleeting smirk before she quickly masked it with soft sobs.

“Forget it, Dominic,” she murmured. “How could I possibly accept such an apology?”

Dominic’s expression softened instantly.

“Serena, I’ve told you before—Abigail isn’t like other women.”

“Bullying her like this only makes me despise you more.”

“And makes me love her even more.”

With that, he tightened his hold on Abigail and walked away, leaving me standing there, clutching my injured arm.