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More benign smiles.

The three of them started walking.

“It is just like old times, is it not, Ms. Raleigh?” Mr. Molen asked complacently.

Serenity sighed, and in a small voice, she said, “The two of you know, don’t you?”

“From the day Mr. de Konigh made an excuse to visit you at school,” Mr. Smit answered.

Keeping her gaze resolutely ahead of her, she said softly, “It’s just me, though.” Her heart ached, wobbled, and lurched at the same time as she remembered the billionaire’s words.

The one thing you have to understand now is that I do not love you back.

That day you kissed me, you looked like you had been hit by a bolt of lightning.

You looked like the sun rose and set—-

The point is...everything you felt...it didn’t happen to me.

Serenity closed her eyes. “He told me himself, and I...believe him.”

****

WILLEM:Where are you now?

Serenity:In the fitting room. As ordered.

Willem:Good girl.

Serenity:Only because you left me no choice.

Willem:I meant every word I said.

Serenity:That’s what I’m afraid of, Mr. de Konigh.

He almost, almost smiled.

Serenity:Where are you?

Willem:Still with your family. They’re likely to start shopping again.

Serenity:I see.

Willem:You only have to say the word. I will let them know the truth, and I’ll make sure they will not be able to blame you.

Serenity:It’s okay. It’s too early to say anything anyway.

Willem:You doubt me?

Serenity:I doubt myself.

Willem: What does that mean?

When a full minute passed and Serenity still didn’t answer, he knew he had to get to her before she started thinking crazy thoughts again. He remembered the way Serenity had sat in stiff, pale-faced silence as Shane spoke of having sex with him, and his lips compressed. When he had been unable to catch her gaze, Willem had known the day would not end without him getting to talk to Serenity. Not because he demanded an answer from her, but because he needed to make sure...

He took a deep breath.

He just needed to make sure she was okay.