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“Good.” The doctor nodded his approval. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did you and my patient first meet?” He was not surprised to learn that Serenity’s sister had something to do with it, but he was surprised at how things had progressed from there.

“As you’ve known my patient for over three years now, I’d love to hear what your thoughts are on her progress.”

“She’s become a lot stronger,” Willem answered readily. His gaze resting on the girl sitting so still beside him, he added quietly, “She’s also learned to appreciate herself and, from there, she’s slowly allowing herself to be...happy.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that, Willem.” The doctor turned to Serenity, whose eyes had become even brighter. It made himself wonder how the Dutch billionaire could be so blind as not to see what he was seeing.

“What about you, Serenity? Do you agree with everything Willem’s said?”

A measured nod, one that told the doctor how much his patient looked up to the billionaire, and Dr. Fergus found himself disturbed.

He continued with his questions for Willem and Serenity, keeping his thoughts and emotions to himself even as his concerns grew. When an hour had passed and it was time for Serenity to go, he asked for a private word with the billionaire.

Seeing Serenity’s concerned look, he said lightly, “He’s a billionaire, my dear. You really don’t think I’d pass up the opportunity to ask for a donation?”

“Oh.” Serenity’s relief was obvious in her smile. “I’ll wait outside then, and oh, umm...” She glanced at the billionaire. “Please be generous?”

Willem rolled his eyes. “What else can I be when you ask me with those eyes of yours?”

Any other girl would have returned the billionaire’s words with a flirtatious reply, but Serenity only said simply, “Thank you.” And then she was gone.

Watching the billionaire gaze after his patient like his heart had gone with her, the doctor said quietly, “What exactly are your intentions towards Ms. Raleigh?”

Stiffening at the question, Willem slowly turned to face the doctor. “What exactly are you insinuating?”

“Nothing at all,” the doctor answered. “All I want is a simple, straightforward answer to a question.”

“She’s the younger sister of the woman I occasionally see.”

“And do you treat the other younger sisters of women you date the same way?”

Willem didn’t answer, but a muscle started ticking in his jaw.

“The minds of girls Serenity’s age are very impressionable, Mr. de Konigh. I hope you remember that.”

“She’s just a child, for God’s sake,” Willem snapped.

“She is still a child...for now.” The doctor’s gaze held a warning. “But she will be eighteen next year, and she won’t be a child then, at least as far as the law’s concerned.”

The billionaire’s jaw hardened. “I have no wicked designs on her.”

“I’m inclined to believe you, but the thing is, Mr. de Konigh...that’s not the only issue here.” The doctor gestured towards the door, where they could hear Serenity happily chatting with the billionaire’s bodyguards. “Can you completely assure me, though, that she does not expect anything from you?”

****

“IS SOMETHING WRONG?” Serenity asked the question in a small voice even though she already knew the answer to it. Inside her heart, she knew, because for so long now, her heart had started beating with his and for his.

“No.” But the billionaire’s voice was abrupt, and his gaze didn’t stray to her like it usually did when they were talking. Instead, he kept staring outside the window, a chillingly aloof look on his handsome face.

She asked hesitantly, “Is it because the meeting took too—-”

“Don’t start with that,” Willem snapped.

She paled.

“Stop with the self-pity for now, ja?” His accent had thickened, and the fury in his voice was like a slap in the face. “Do you really think I’m that kind of a bastard to mind how long your meeting with the shrink takes? Do you?” He knew he was unfairly taking out his anger on Serenity, but he couldn’t stop himself. The doctor’s words had rattled him, more so than he wanted to admit, and now he was furious with both Serenity and himself.

Serenity had turned into stone in her seat. She was unable to move, unable to speak or think. She tried to think of what could have possibly gone wrong but could not come up with one reason why Willem would act like he hated her now.