Chapter 10

Alex stopped the car at a red light and turned to me. “We’re going home. I won’t tell you anything more. You’ll see for yourself.”

That was typical of Alex. Once he made up his mind, there was no changing it. The car pulled up in front of the Hastings residence, but I felt an overwhelming reluctance to get out and enter that house.

“We used to love playing on this lawn,” Alex said suddenly.

I glanced at the lawn in front of the residence. Alex’s father, my stepfather, was always particular about such things. The lawn was consistently well-maintained, and now that it was summer, it looked especially lush. Through the car window, I could almost picture two children playing there: Alex, always so mischievous, and the little girl, me, always following close behind him.

Thinking about those days, I couldn’t help but smile slightly. “It’s a shame those days are gone,” I said, my head turning slowly. Back then, I wasn’t the Hastings heiress; I was simply Nicole Burke’s daughter.

“Ms. Hastings, you’re finally back,” Simon Brooks, the butler, greeted, peering through the car window. His smile faded slightly. “Ms. Ashford has come too.” I nodded.

Simon said nothing more, turning to address Alex. “Mr. Hastings Senior is waiting for you in the study.”

“You can go up by yourself,” Alex said, pulling out his car keys and opening the door. “It’s the same room as before. When you’re done, I’ll take you back.”

I nodded again as Alex and Simon headed toward the study, and I followed. I could hear the maids inside greeting Alex with enthusiasm. Most were familiar faces, but their expressions toward me were far from the joy they showed Alex. Their greetings were polite but distant.

I went up to the second floor, to Mom’s room. She had been staying there ever since she married into the Hastings family. As I approached the door, I heard her voice from inside.

“Clara, thank you. Thank you so much,” Mom’s voice was filled with deep gratitude. “I’ve been feeling sick these past few days, so I had to trouble you with the lawn.”

A pang of sadness washed over me. Despite everything, she didn’t seem to be living a very comfortable life with the Hastings family. She was even taking care of the lawn herself.

I stepped inside, and the moment she saw me, a look of surprise flashed across her face. As if doubting her own eyes, Mom shook her head.

“Ms. Ashford, you’re back?” Clara Jameson, who had been pouring water for Mom, greeted me with a smile.

“Serena?” Mom sat up, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “You’re here?” Seeing me enter, Clara naturally turned and left.

I walked over and sat at the edge of the bed, my heart heavy with mixed emotions. “Serena, why have you lost so much weight?” Mom asked, her eyes full of concern.

I fumbled and tried to calm myself. “What’s wrong with you?”

“It’s nothing, just an old illness,” she replied with a gentle smile, but it only deepened the sorrow I felt. She fell down the stairs a few years ago. Whenever people asked about it, she would always say it was just an accident. But ever since, she had been suffering from a persistent…

I took a deep breath and gathered the courage to ask, “Mom, are you happy living with the Hastings family?”

The light in her eyes dimmed as she slowly lowered her head.

“If you’re not happy, you can get a divorce,” I said, looking at her. “I’ll be graduating soon. If you divorce, we can live together. I’ll take care of you, and I promise you won’t have to endure this any longer.”