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They would simply pop out of nowhere—-

And in the blink of an eye, Serenity would be back on that awful, awful morning.

Like now.

She was only ten minutes into the half-hour train ride to Amsterdam-Zuid when suddenly an image of Willem superimposed itself on her mind. He had his back to her, and even though she knew it was unreal, her throat started tightening up—-

The imaginary Willem began to walk away.

Her lips started to tremble, and she deliberately sank her teeth into it, trying to keep herself from reacting.

In her mind, he was still walking away.

Wait. Please. Wait.Her mind screamed the words, and her eyes started to sting.

Her heart was bleeding, her chest heaving at the pain that was trying to tear her apart.

“Miss? Are you okay, Miss?”

With a start, she realized she was crying, the tears blurring her gaze forcing her to blink rapidly until her vision cleared. Embarrassed, she wiped the tears away hastily as she mumbled a reply. She could feel people’s gazes on her now, staring and no doubt wondering why she had broken down in tears out of the blue.

Serenity fixed her gaze numbly on the windows.

Because I loved,she thought dully. It was that simple, agonizingly so. She had loved, but it had not been returned.

****

SERENITY’S MELANCHOLICmood did not leave her even when she had made it to the VU and was surrounded by lively chatter and laughter from students her age. She saw but didn’t really see them. It didn’t feel right, to be here, and she had a terrifying fear that Netherlands would never feel right again, not as long as she knew the Dutch billionaire was also living in the same country, breathing the same air she did.

She was supposed to go to the university’s admissions office, but instead she found herself drifting to the university’s library. There was a newsstand, and right in the center of the front pages was a photo of Willem himself. Before she knew what she was doing, she had already plucked the newspaper off, her eyes quickly scanning the article.

One word jumped out of her.

Milan.

According to the report, no one had expected Willem to be at the Milan business conference, and his presence had sent everyone in a flurry. Analysts voiced out their wildest predictions, which ranged from the Dutch billionaire being interested in rescuing an iconic but financially struggling Italian company to simply being there because he had a dalliance with an Italian starlet.

They hadn’t known at all, Serenity thought,but Shane had.

Her sister had known as early as yesterday.

And suddenly, she’d had enough.

****

MELANIE WAS STILL SCREECHINGand raging.

“Do you think I’m just going to let you leave like that, you ungrateful little bitch?”

Serenity remained quietly in her seat, appearing to listen but not really hearing anything.

“Answer me!” Melanie’s fist slammed down, and the plates on the table rattled at the impact.

Serenity opened her mouth to answer, but before she could do so, the door to the dining room opened and her half-sister came sailing in.

“Jesus,” Shane drawled, “that’s quite a racket you’re making, mother dear. What’s wrong?” She bent down to kiss her mother’s cheek before claiming the seat across Serenity. She allowed herself a quick survey of the younger woman’s features and was satisfied at the sight of Serenity’s red and swollen eyes.

Boo-hoo-hoo, Shane thought without an ounce of pity.