Chapter 79
Justin kicked the door to Serene’s studio. He’s glad he did not repurpose this room on whim. It remained the same over the years. This had been his sanctuary and a silent witness to his struggles.
He knew Serene would not give him a chance to be with their children. It’s expected. He was even happy that she did that. After all the wrongs he did to her, he expected her to not want him near their children.
What he hated most was how he pushed her to Crystal. She did not see a flicker of pain in her eyes when Crystal introduced him as her fiancé. Neither did he see hesitation register in them when she pushed him to her. Did she really want him to build a family with somebody else?
Justin’s animosity to Crystal intensified. She added another hurdle for him to cross. It’s hard enough to gain Serene’s forgiveness. Add to that Crystal who did nothing but flaunt that he’s her fiancé. Fiancé, my ass!
He fished out his cell phone and dialed his secretary’s number.
“Joseph, I need something done,” he said and gave out his instructions to Joseph.
He had not touched cigarettes for a long time, but today was an exemption. He inhaled the pungent smoke and let it linger in his throat before puffing it out.
The cheerful faces of his children, especially Felicity, etched in his brain. He recalled how her high-pitched voice echoed in Serene’s studio. Even Pax’s excitement when he ran towards Mary. They would liven up any place. His villa felt quieter than it already was, further highlighting his loneliness.
“Serene,” he whispered. He looked up at the painting that hung on the wall. It was the painting of a sunset she drew. The couple looked out to the orange orb as it kissed the horizon. They leaned against each other, sharing a moment in silence.
That was them. That was their promise. His promise. He promised to spend the rest of his life with her.
An empty smile appeared on his lips. Can I still do that? Spend the rest of my life with her?
The more he recalled Serene’s actions, the more he doubted the possibility. For the past five years, he wanted nothing but to see her. Thinking that when he does, it’ll fill the void in his heart.
How wrong he was. He never felt lonelier than he felt today. Yes, he saw her, even held her and kissed her, but she had changed. She no longer looked at him with love.
It hurt the most to know that he no longer had a place in her heart. He felt Fate cheated on him. Fate lured him with the hope he and Serene could have a chance. And when they finally meet, Fate slapped him with the harsh reality. Things between them have changed. Like everything else in life.
He pined for the girl who used to paint or read in this room. Her face would light up at the sight of him whenever he enters. It felt like no one else existed in her world but him.
How could he have doubted her then? How could he not listen to her and give her a chance? Had he listened; he would have been there throughout her pregnancy. He would have held his children when they were born.
He lost so much for protecting himself from getting hurt. “Ha am I not hurting more now?” he sarcastically chided himself.
He took a deep breath and looked at the small mountain of ash in the paint palette. He had to get them back. Serene and his children. He could not give up, not now that they’re back. He had to try harder.
**********
Serene looked at the dress in front of her. As expected, it’s exceptionally crafted. She drew the dress on paper and painted on it. She painted three designs which she would give to Mary to show to Crystal. Once she picked a design she wanted, Serene could start painting it on the actual dress.
She blew a sigh and removed her eyeglasses. How ironic. Of all the people whom she would commission a dress for, it had to be Crystal, Justin’s fiancée. And of all the events the gown would be worn, it had to be on their engagement.
What a joke! She felt that her life got reduced to a joke. Imagine, the person who she fell in love with after Bryan, was Justin. The identical twin of Chester—the man whom Bryan chose over her. Now, this! She’s working on a gown for another ex’s fiancée. A gown she would wear on their formal engagement announcement. “If that isn’t life’s biggest joke, I don’t know what is.” Serene gave a shallow laugh at the thought.
Had she not owed Mary a lot, she would not accept this job. It stirred up a lot of emotions she buried in the past five years.
Serene touched her lips. She still felt Justin’s demanding kisses. How she missed him. But she knew better now. Justin is like the attractive warm flame on a cold dark night, and she’s a moth. She knew she would burn and die if she allowed the flame to lure her.
Times have changed. She could not think with her heart anymore. She had twins she needed to protect.
“I am taking everything that’s mine.”
The nerve of that man to even think her twins were his. Yes, 32 of his chromosomes were in their DNA, but that’s the extent of his relationship with them. He lost his right over them the night he told her to get out of his life. She would never forget she almost lost them from all the mean things he did.
It no longer mattered if she still loved Justin or not. That part of her died five years ago. Only one thing is clear to her. She would not let him touch even a strand of her twins’ hair.
She calmed herself and thought of ways how she could get her children out of Hyacinth Bay undetected. She had an arduous task on hand since Hyacinth Bay is Justin’s playground.