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“CONGRATULATIONS.” SERENITY’Svoice was stilted as she forced the word out, and she only said it because she did not want Willem to think she was bitter or heartbroken. Even if both were true.

“Thank you.” The billionaire’s voice was pleasant, and just the sound of it seemed to mock the tense silence that otherwise reigned in the boutique’s private lounge, where the two of them sat apart on the same chesterfield sofa. “Although I must say, I am curious.”

“Oh?” She sensed Willem turning to face her and couldn’t stop wringing her hands on her lap.If only she was more confrontational, she thought helplessly. If only the thought of getting into a fight didn’t make her hyperventilate, she would have said no to Shane’s demand and stayed at home. If she had done that, then she wouldn’t be here now, feeling like she was about to faint any second from the pain she was experiencing.

Willem was going to marry her sister.

It was the end of her world.

It was the beginning for Shane and Melanie, both of whom had ecstatically allowed themselves to be swept away by the boutique’s senior sales consultants for an unlimited shopping spree, courtesy of her sister’s new fiancé.

Propping an elbow on the armrest so he could watch Serenity at leisure, Willem murmured, “What are you congratulating me for?”

As expected, the question had her head snapping towards him, incredulity in her blue gaze. “Excuse me?”

He shrugged. “You heard me. What are you congratulating me for?” One brow arched elegantly as he inquired, “Did you perhaps think I proposed marriage to your sister?”

Serenity’s jaw dropped. It was not a usual reaction for her, but right now she was beyond caring about what was poised or graceful. She could only whisper, “You’re not?”

Willem answered simply, “No.”

“I don’t understand,” Serenity said blankly. She was blinking at him in bemusement, long lashes like silken gold fans on her porcelain skin.Even the mere sight of it was seductive and tantalizing, Willem thought grimly.

Schooling his expression into an unreadable mask, he told her casually, “Your sister didn’t mention marriage either, did she?”

“I know, but she said your relationship’s moved to the next level—-”

“It has. It just doesn’t have to be marriage.”

“But she also said you want us at Contini, so the royal family could decide if we’re suitable—-”

“I lied.”

In a second, she realized what had just happened – what he had done – and Serenity didn’t even think.

She slapped him.“You bastard!”He had set things up, the jerk. He had known what she would think and he had still gone through with his stupid, painful trick!

His head snapping to the side, Willem gingerly touched his jaw as he slowly looked back at Serenity.

“Why would you let me think that?”

“Think what?” he challenged. When she only answered him with silence, he said it for her. “That I’m going to marry someone else?”

A cry escaped her, and even though anger still seethed inside him, Willem was unable to remain immune to the sound of Serenity’s pain.

Glancing at his bodyguards, he jerked his head towards the door and they immediately went out. Having been briefed earlier about their most important duty, they would remain outside the lobby and only come back to alert him of Shane or Melanie’s return.

When they were alone, he said under his breath, “I’m sorry.”

But pain still shadowed her eyes, and seeing her so frail and pale because of him, Willem was forced to accept the truth.

She was unable to live without him, and he was unable to live without her knowing she needed him.

But it did not mean they loved each other.

He only had to convince her that, and everything would be fine again.

“Sere.”He saw her blink rapidly, as if just hearing him use his special name for her was enough to bring her to tears. Sucking his breath in, he said tautly, “You know what kind of person I am. You know I’ve never explained myself to anyone but for you...I’ll try. Just once, just this time, because I don’t want you to keep hurting.” His jaw clenched. “I can’t bear to see you in pain.”