People may stand tall before the face of destiny, yet often yield to the weight of life's burdens.
Serena pondered, if not for Amelia, could she have married Phoenix smoothly? Could she just await his return in comfort everyday? Would she still be able to call him darling, sharing every grievance with him?
Instead, she stood barefoot on the cold floor of this desolate apartment, where even a pair of shoes belonging to her were absent. She even sacrificed the last shreds of her dignity.
Phoenix emerged from the bathroom after his shower, finding Serena in this state.
Head bowed, lost in thought, her feet touching the chilly floor.
"Being my mistress, do you feel wronged?" He emphasized the humiliating words, biting them out with deliberate clarity.
Serena's face flushed pale, the pain of her nails digging into her flesh helping her maintain composure. "Many would dream to be Mr. Lee's mistress, Serena certainly... "
Her words were cut short as Phoenix threw her onto the bed.
"Then why put on such a pitiful display for?" Phoenix loomed over her, his dark eyes swirling like a vortex, leaving Serena momentarily dazed.
Swiftly, his mocking tone brought her back to reality. "Considering the current status of Miss Nightingale, I'm ashamed to even claim you as mine! But for you, sleeping with me once to save your ancestral home, it's not a bad deal."
"Yes, Mr. Lee is right, I'm not losing out!" She smiled brightly, but the searing pain threatened to break her composure, tears almost spilling.
During the height of passion, when Phoenix murmured Amelia's name, the repetition echoing in Serena's ears, she finally snapped.
"Phoenix, look closely! I'm Serena, not Amelia!" She cried out, months of accumulated frustration bursting forth.
A crisp scent stifled her cries, his lips wiping away her tears in the darkness, Phoenix's eyes eerily clear.
She remembered how Phoenix would ache at the sight of her slightest stumble, gazing at her with that same look. But if he never cared, why be kind to her from the start, only to offer scraps of charity now?
Lips locked, the bitter taste of blood filled their mouths. This frenzied lovemaking was both ecstatic and torturous.
Afterwards, Serena dragged her exhausted body to the guest room for a shower.
Her belongings were few; she hadn't bought much since returning to the country. The contraceptive pill was purchased on the way, yet she never expected Phoenix to come after she had taken it.
"You're quite self-aware."
He glanced at the mess yet to be tidied, staring at Serena for a long while before uttering these words. His calm face revealed nothing, but the chill emanating from him was bone-piercing.
She lowered her head, hiding the bitterness in her eyes. "I won't inconvenience Mr. Lee."
"Serena, you're doing well."
With these words, Phoenix slammed the door shut, leaving Serena in a stunned buzz.
Days passed without much trouble from Phoenix. She tended to her mother during the day and took care of Phoenix's demands at night, followed by her medication and sleep.
Amelia's unexpected visit caught Serena off guard.
"Serena, have you no shame? Trying to seduce Phoenix!" She raged, her usual goddess-like demeanor shattered.
Serena sneered, "Me, seducing him?"
"Phoenix doesn't like you. Clinging onto him like this, Mr. Nightingale would turn in his grave if he knew it..."
Slap!
Amelia's tirade was interrupted by Serena's slap. "Do you have the right to mention my father? Our Nightingale family raised you, how have we ever wronged you?!"
"You hit me?" Amelia stared in disbelief, then shoved Serena, who was unprepared and physically fragile, causing her abdomen to collide with the corner of the table.
Warm liquid trickling down her leg, the pain in her abdomen sent Serena into panic.
She always took the pill...
"Phoenix, I didn't mean to, Serena hit me."
Phoenix had returned unnoticed, witnessing this drama unfold without their knowledge.
Noticing the red mark on Amelia's face, he cast a cold gaze at Serena. "What do you have to say?"
Serena, pale, knelt on the ground, speechless. If she told him she was pregnant, would he believe her? Even if it was an accidental pregnancy, he surely wouldn't want the child.
But she couldn't bear to lose it!
"Can you... take me to the hospital?" Serena begged, "I... I-I'm not feeling well."
"Serena, what act are you putting on now? Amelia pushed you once, and you're like this?" He scoffed, "Typical of you, always fearing death, rushing to the doctor for every little thing."
She feared death?
Would she have risked her life to save them if she truly did?
Serena's consciousness began to fade, as she fell, she thought she saw panic on Phoenix's face, heard the disturbance in his voice...
"Serena, why are you bleeding so much?"
"Serena, wake up. If this child is lost, forget about the Nightingale ancestral home!"
"..."
Did he want this child?
