Chapter

Tears welled in Mom's eyes. "About what happened back then," she said, "I was wrong, too. Putting up with the Hastings family was to make amends for my mistakes."

I didn't know how to respond.

"Mom," I said, raising my voice, "why bother? Does anyone in the Hastings family even appreciate you?"

"Robert has actually been good to me, and so has Clara," Nicole's tears finally fell. "Serena, are you and Alex still... the same?"

I swallowed hard, slowly opening my eyes. I couldn't bring myself to criticize Mom. I had always known she hadn't been living the life of a wealthy housewife in the Hastings family, but I still couldn't fully understand her. "Alex and I were never meant to be," I said, standing up. "Mom, take care of yourself."

I turned to leave.

"Serena," Mom called out.

"If you have time, come back and visit," she added, her eyes red. "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 downstairs, I didn't see Alex. I guessed 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.

As I prepared to leave, a voice called out, "Serena."

I stopped and slowly turned 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 I addressed him. "Can we talk?"

I hesitated, but he had already turned and entered the study. With a heavy sigh, I 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."

I listened to his familiar tone, but a lump formed in my throat. Since Mom married into the Hastings family, Mr. Hastings Senior 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 tea.

He sighed. "Well, I'm hoping you can help me, Serena. Could you persuade Alex to stop being so stubborn? It's not good for him to keep avoiding us by never coming home."

I furrowed my brows. Alex hadn'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, he never comes back."

I frowned deeply. What did that mean?