Chapter
Tears welled up in Mom’s eyes. “About what happened back then. I was wrong too. Pus staying with the Hastings family to make up for my mistakes ”
I didn’t know how to respond
“Mom.” 1 said, raising my voice. “Why bother? Does anyone in the Hastings family even appreciate you?”
“Robert is actually gote good to me, and so is Clara.” Nicole’s tears finally tell “Serma, are you and Alex still.. the same?
I swallowed hard, slowly opening my eyes,
couldn’t bring myself to criticize Mom. Thad always known she hadn’t been living the fe of a wealthy housewife in the Hastings family, but I still couldn’t fully understand her. “Alex and I were never meant to be family,” I said as I stood up. “Mom, take care of yourself.”
Tumed to leave
Sena Mom called out.
“If you have time, come back and visit,” she added, her eyes rod. “After all.. we’re family
I wanted to say something, but in the end, I stayed silent and walked out of the room
After going downstates, I didn’t see Ale 1 gurd he was still in the study, so I decided to wait for him in the car.
When I was little, I loved the Hastings family. They had delicious food, a big lawn, and Alex. But now. I hated this place
Ased to leave, a voice called out, “Serina.”
I stopped and slowly med around. It was Mr. Hastings Senior–Alex’s father and my stepfather.
When I was younger, Mr. Hastings Senior had been kind to me, but everything changed over time. He never liked my mother, and naturally, he didn’t like me either. “Are you here to see your mother?” Mr. Hastings Senior asked, managing a strained smile,
I returned a forced smile. “Yes, Mr. Hastings Senior.”
He nodded slowly at the way addressed him. “Can we talk?
1 hesitated, but he had already turned and entered the study. With a heavy sigh, 1 followed him.
Alex was no longer in the room.
“Have a seat,” Mr. Hastings Senior said, pouring me a cup of tea. “Serena, it’s been a long time since you’ve been back.”
1lated to his familiar tone, but a lump formed in my throat
Since Mom married into the Hastings family, Mr. Hastings Senlot had never been openly hostile, but he had always been somewhat resistant Alex, on the other hand, had outright opposed it. The Hastings family clearly didn’t welcome me, so why was Mr. Hastings Senior saying this now?
*Mr. Hastings Senior, please just get to the point,” I said, taking a sip of water without responding.
Robert sighed. “Well, I’m hoping you can help me, Serena Could you persuade Alex to stop being so stubborn? It’s not good for han to keep avoiding us by never coming back.
home”
I furrowed my brows.
Alex Ladu’t been home?
As if reading my mind, Mr. Hastings Senior added, “Since you went to university and stopped coming here, Alex bought a new house and moved out. It’s been years, and unless something important happens beneat comes back “
Drommedieven deeper. What did that turan?
