Chapter 2 I'm Done!
Serena watched the ruthless way he treated her, contrasted with how tenderly he protected Brielle. She slowly began to smile—cold and final.
After a moment, she nodded. "Fine, Chase. Since this is your choice, go ahead and be with her. I'm done playing these games!"
"Then just leave already and stop with the whole 'breaking up every few days then begging to get back together' routine. It's pathetic!"
Chase had been pushed to his limit and finally said what he really thought. He didn't believe for a second that Serena would actually leave him.
Serena looked at him one last time. Without another word, she turned and walked out.
The entire room's atmosphere plummeted. Their friends rushed to smooth things over: "Chase, Serena's obviously just talking out of anger. She loves you way too much to actually leave."
"Yeah, Chase, everyone in our circle knows Serena can't live without you. Even if she says she's breaking up in the heat of the moment, she'll be back within three days max."
"But honestly, I think Chase went too far this time."
That comment came from Daniel Brooks, the youngest in their group and the one who'd sent Serena that message.
Chase's expression turned thunderous. The other friends quickly jumped in: "No way, no way. You're too young to understand how much Serena loves Chase. I bet she'll be back by his side within two days."
"I'll put up my brand new Maserati—three days."
"I'll bet my villa in Scenic Bay—four days."
"My yacht says seven days, tops."
Chase glanced at the door that hadn't quite closed all the way and smirked. "What's there to bet? She's definitely at home waiting for me. I'm not going back tonight—let her think about what she did."
Outside the door, Serena had lingered just long enough to hear every word. She heard what Chase said too.
This was the man she'd given up her family business for, abandoned her inheritance for, cut ties with her relatives for, broken off an engagement for, offended the Locke family for—the man she'd loved unconditionally for seven years?
In that moment, endless desolation spread through Serena's heart. She yanked the door shut and left the club.
Sitting in her car, after a brief silence, she pulled out her phone and sent a message: [Sarah, you were right. Chase isn't worth giving up everything for. I'm not getting married. I've decided—I'm coming home.]
Sarah: [Did he hurt you?]
Serena didn't want her sister to worry and hadn't figured out how to respond when another message came through.
Sarah: [Since you've decided, then come back. I'm giving you one month to clean up your mess there. If you're not back in a month, don't bother calling me your sister anymore.]
Serena: [I understand.]
She tossed her phone into her purse and drove home. The unfinished white wedding dress still lay quietly on the living room sofa. This dress that had absorbed all of Serena's heart and soul now seemed like a cold observer, silently watching the world's cruelty, mocking all their once-sweet memories.
It had been just one step away from completion. Just like Serena and Chase's love story—only one step away from the finish line.
Serena's eyes slowly filled with tears. Without hesitation, she grabbed a lighter and set the dress on fire.
Then she started packing her things. She'd lived here with Chase for three years, and most of their household items they'd bought together. Now that she didn't want this man anymore, she certainly didn't want these things either.
She contacted three companies: a cleaning service, a luxury consignment shop, and a shipping company. She paid extra for rush service, so even though it was the middle of the night, people came to help.
In just three hours, she'd shipped her personal belongings to the Rothwell family. She sold Chase's luxury gifts at secondhand prices. The clothes and essentials she'd need immediately, she packed into a single suitcase.
She dragged the suitcase downstairs and took one last look around the place she'd called home for three years. Every trace of her existence had been erased. Perfect.
Without lingering, she left the villa key on the entryway table and walked out into the deep night, never looking back.
Chase stumbled home at five in the morning, drunk and supported by Brielle. She took in the beautiful garden, then the three-story villa with its opulent living room, her eyes gleaming. Finally, she'd gotten rid of that woman. Finally, she could be with him openly.
Thinking this, she tightened her grip on Chase's arm, her voice sweet and cloying. "Chase, let me help you upstairs to rest."
"Just go home." Chase pushed her hand away and staggered upstairs alone. He needed to find Serena. After a whole night, she should be done with her tantrum. As long as she apologized properly, he'd still be good to her.
These fuzzy thoughts carried him to bed, where he promptly passed out.
When he woke up, it was past nine in the morning. He sat up, rubbing his pounding temples, and habitually reached toward the nightstand. Whenever he drank too much, Serena always had coffee waiting for him.
This time, his hand found nothing. He looked toward the nightstand—not only was there no coffee, but his water glass was missing too. That glass matched Serena's in a couples' set that she'd always treasured.
Now it was gone? Not just the glass—lots of things were missing. The enormous bedroom felt completely empty everywhere he looked.
Chase's expression darkened. That woman hadn't even waited for him at home?
His face grew uglier by the second. Suddenly, the sound of clinking dishes drifted up from the living room downstairs. It sounded exactly like Serena making breakfast every morning.
The ice on Chase's face melted, replaced by a confident smile. He knew it—Serena would never leave. She loved him too much to walk away. Besides, they were getting married in a month. She'd waited so many years for this wedding—how could she leave him now?
Brimming with confidence, he walked out of the bedroom.
