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Had the world gone crazy? Even Willem de Konigh himself knew Serenity was far from perfect. Melanie didn’t believe a single word about her stepdaughter having to resign due to over-fatigue.

Yeah right,Melanie thought with a sneer as she looked at her pale-looking stepdaughter. No doubt, the billionaire had found her lack of personality tiresome and boring, but he was just too much of a gentleman to say so.

The only perfect thing about Serenity was her taste in clothes, Melanie thought grudgingly, but other than that, the girl was perfectly flawed. Ballet had been the only thing the girl had going for her. But no, the idiot just had to break her leg and, in the process, cause Melanie’s ex-husband to kill himself.

The reminder of Daniel Raleigh’s death made Melanie grit her teeth, and she snapped at Serenity, “I’ll need your next month’s rent in advance.” It was this girl’s fault Daniel was dead, this girl’s fault that she no longer had Daniel’s monthly alimony payments and was thus forced to work while her other friends continued to live in the lap of luxury.

“Yes, ma’am.”

The quick acquiescence should have pleased Melanie, but it only made her angrier. “I suppose you’re thinking I’m being greedy?”

“No, ma’am.”

“I could have chosen not to take the guardianship, you know. I could have let you go to Social Services.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

And so it went on. Serenity was used to Melanie blaming her for everything, and a small part of her believed every word her stepmother uttered.

Ifshe had just danced like Daniel wanted, her father would not be dead. Melanie would still have her money. And she would have only known Willem de Konigh as Shane’s boyfriend.

When Melanie took a deep breath, Serenity wondered absently if it was fine to start eating now. Her stomach had started to rumble, reminding her that she had forgotten to eat anything since returning home.

Telling herself she had nothing to lose, Serenity started to reach for the ladle to have some soup—-

“Have you no manners?” Melanie hissed. “We should wait for your sister!”

Serenity quickly pulled her hand back and placed it on her lap. “I’m sorry.” She didn’t even consider reminding Melanie that she hadn’t known about Shane joining them, knowing it would only anger her stepmother more.

The minutes passed, and there was still no sign of Shane. Her stomach rumbled for the third time, now loud enough for Melanie to hear. She felt her stepmother glaring at her, but Serenity deliberately kept her gaze trained on her plate, pretending dumb ignorance.

Two more years,Serenity thought, trying to rally herself. Daniel Raleigh’s will had been pretty specific and in keeping with his controlling personality. Serenity was to be awarded full access to her trust only if she continued to live with her stepmother until she was twenty-one. Otherwise, she was on her own until she turned thirty.

Two more years, just two more years,Serenity repeated to herself. But the more she thought about it, the more she was thinking maybe the money wasn’t worth it. Maybe she should just take the risk and leave. Not just her stepmother’s house but Netherlands. If she started fresh somewhere else, she might have an easier time forgetting the humiliating way she had thrown herself at a man who didn’t want her.

Serenity started chewing on her lip as she thought of all the what-ifs that could happen, and she was so lost in her thoughts that she was completely taken by surprise when the door to the dining room flew open and Shane came rushing in.

“He’s coming, Mother!” Shane’s voice was breathless with excitement.

“Who?” Melanie demanded as she jumped to her feet.

“Willem!”

Serenity froze.

“I invited him to dinner, and I was expecting we’d go out, but he told me he was in the mood for something home-cooked so I told him we could come here.” As if suddenly remembering there was someone else in the room, Shane swung around to face Serenity. “Andyou.” Warning sharpened her voice as she said, “I have no idea what made Willem fire you, but whatever it is – don’t you dare cause any trouble tonight. You better be on your best behavior or I’ll make your life hell.”