Serena rubbed her temples, exhausted and irritated by the nonstop stream of phone calls that had been bombarding her since morning. She had already blocked several numbers—she just didn't want to be disturbed for a while.
It had never crossed her mind that her book would become a hit. The sudden success was overwhelming. Calls from the publisher came in endlessly, and Serena couldn't help but wonder how Riri, her ever-faithful editor, was coping with all this. If she herself was on the edge of losing her sanity, how was Riri doing?
Ring… Ring…
Another incoming call. Serena frowned, grabbed her phone from the table, and without hesitation, pressed the power button to turn it off.
"Ah… finally, some peace,"
she mumbled before dropping herself onto the soft couch in the living room.
She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to merge with the silence around her. But the silence felt different now.
She used to enjoy the quiet of her house—it was like an oasis for her tired soul. But ever since she started dating Ren, the silence felt more like emptiness. Something was missing.
Every weekend, Serena and Ren usually spent time together—taking walks, cooking, or just sitting side by side reading books. But Ren had been abroad on assignment for a week now. Serena was alone. And for the first time, she truly understood what loneliness meant.
"I think… I miss him," she whispered softly.
Her gaze fell on the powered-off phone lying on the table. There was an urge to call Ren, just to hear his voice, to make sure he was okay. But logic won over longing—maybe he was busy. Serena held herself back and took a deep breath.
"Madam…"
The soft voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Dori, Serena's housekeeper, stood at the doorway.
"Yes, Dori?"
"There was a call earlier from a woman named Grace."
Serena froze. That name hit like a bolt of lightning. It had been years since she last heard Grace's name. Grace was her mother Megan's personal assistant.
"Thank you,"
Serena replied briefly.
Dori nodded and went back to her chores.
Meanwhile, Serena's mind began to drift.
After her marriage, Serena's relationship with her parents gradually faded. She could count on one hand how many times they'd communicated. And even then, it was usually Grace relaying the messages like a professional courier.
Serena still remembered how broken, sad, and devastated she felt when she was forced to marry Andre. Before all that, her parents were the two people she trusted and loved the most.
But after the wedding, they vanished. They went off traveling the world, leaving her behind.
The one thing that stuck the most was the last thing her mother said before leaving.
"I raised you to adulthood. Don't bother us anymore."
Serena held her breath, her chest tightening. Those words weren't just cold—they froze her heart completely.
Her mother's eyes back then were just as piercing. Cold, empty—as if Serena wasn't her daughter anymore, but a stranger… maybe even an enemy.
To this day, Serena still didn't understand. What made them change so drastically? Was the love they'd shown all her life just a façade for appearances?
She wanted answers. But at the same time, she was scared. Scared the truth would hurt more than not knowing.
---
Knock… Knock…
"Come in,"
Frau said without looking up from the document he was reviewing.
He thought it was his assistant with the next report, but when no voice followed, he finally lifted his head. He brows furrowed the moment he saw who was standing at the door.
"What are you doing here?"
Frau asked coldly.
The woman at the door—Chloe—looked nervous. She straightened up and tried to smile.
Chloe, who was actually Frau's distant cousin, was clearly trying hard to keep her composure. She remembered Mrs. Knight's promise—that a "great reward" awaited if she succeeded in completing this mission.
"Auntie asked me to join you for lunch today,"
Chloe said quietly, her voice soft and slightly flirtatious.
Frau gave her a sharp look.
"Next time, don't listen to my mother. I'm busy. I don't have time for lunch, especially not with you."
His tone was firm, even harsh—making it crystal clear he wasn't interested.
But Chloe didn't give up.
"I can wait until you're done working."
"Are you stupid?"
Frau snapped.
"W-what…?"
Chloe was stunned, unable to believe what she just heard.
"If you were smart, you'd understand what I meant,"
Frau said, now rising from he chair. "But let me make it clear: I don't want to have lunch with you. Even if I did want to eat with someone, you wouldn't even make the list."
Chloe clenched her fists tightly. Embarrassment and anger flashed across her face. She had never been humiliated like this before. Still, she tried to keep a straight face, hoping to look hurt rather than furious. She was still trying to win Frau's sympathy.
"You're still here?" Frau snapped again.
"Auntie wants me to… carry your child…"
Chloe said softly, as if she had no choice but to follow Mrs. Knight's orders.
Frau paused, then let out a bitter laugh. He stepped closer and looked Chloe up and down.
"You think I'm going to fall for a disgusting scheme like that?" he hissed. "What are you, some cheap woman?"
Chloe's eyes sharpened instantly. She glared at Frau, filled with rage.
But Frau wasn't finished.
"A decent woman wouldn't try to steal someone else's husband. Let alone with a filthy plan like this."
The words hit Chloe like a whip. She gritted her teeth, turned around, and stormed out without saying another word. But she couldn't hide the fire in her eyes—Chloe would never forget the humiliation Frau put her through today.
Once Chloe disappeared, Frau called his assistant.
Even before the assistant could open he mouth, Frau shouted,
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING? ARE YOU COMPLETELY USELESS? NEXT TIME, THROW PEOPLE LIKE THAT OUT IMMEDIATELY!"
He voice echoed out of the room.
Chloe, who hadn't gone far yet, heard it loud and clear. Her eyes welled up. Humiliation and fury squeezed her chest. She walked faster, not wanting to be seen by anyone.
Word about Frau's angry outburst quickly spread throughout the office floor. Everyone fell silent, and the atmosphere turned tense.
They all knew—Frau wasn't the kind of boss who yelled. So if he raised his voice, it meant something really serious had just gone down.
That day became the most uncomfortable day for everyone working under Frau Knight.
---