Martin rushed back to a scene of towering flas and the remnants of Serena’s past fading into nothing, a bad feeling sinking in his gut. "What happened? What’s gotten into her?"
Serena, sitting in her wheelchair at a distance, watched numbly.
"What’s going on??"
"Mr. Martin. Thank God you’re back. Serena ordered us to burn these things. She... she’s been crying today," Dora explained the day’s events.
Martin crouched in front of her wheelchair, his heart aching, "Serena."
"It’s okay." Her eyes, cold and detached, reflected the raging fire, "I just wanted to say goodbye to the past."
"You’ve co to terms with it? Let go?" Martin knew how much those things ant to her.
"From now on, I am just Serena Lott." She stared into the flas, her voice hollow, "The past is ash, and I’m starting anew."
"Alright." Martin’s hand gently rested on her leg, "I’ll be with you on this fresh start."
That evening.
Rosemary’s five brothers caused a stir on social dia by posting a new family portrait and snaps with Rosemary.
People flocked to their comnts section, leaving ssages and sharing the love.
David, in particular, was a hit.
His post got tens of thousands of comnts and millions of likes and shares within minutes.
Most of the comnts praised his sister, and David was thrilled. Scrolling through, he noticed a trending hashtag: #SerenaFriendSpillsTheBeans#
He clicked it to discover Serena’s forr BFFs and close friends were now airing her dirty laundry.
For instance, six months ago, Serena knew she wasn’t a true Collins, yet she flaunted the Collins na in high society, recklessly spending the Collins’ fortune.
There were seven or eight friends coming forward, and Serena was livid.
These backstabbers had once sweet-talked her for favors, and now they were kicking her while she was down!
Using a new number Martin had given her, Serena registered a burner account and lashed out in the comnts.
[How can you trash your old friends like that? Got any class?]
[Who’d wanna be friends with you now?]
Fuming with rage, Serena shut off her phone.
"Stop scrolling," Martin took Serena’s phone gently, and gently reassured her, "I know you’re bumd out. Let’s hit the mall tomorrow, take a little breather."
The next morning.
Martin was with Serena at Sumrfield’s biggest mall. Before they even stepped inside, his phone rang.
"Dad."
Whatever the man on the other end said, Martin’s face twisted with difficulty. He glanced at Serena and patted her shoulder, signaling that he needed a mont to talk.
Serena knew it must be his family causing trouble again. Though she was inwardly seething, she managed a tender nod.
Martin stepped aside, whispering, "I’ll be there as soon as I wrap this up."
The man on the phone seed furious. Martin’s eyes clouded with complexity. He saw Dora waiting patiently with a girl in a wheelchair, her silhouette tinged with loneliness. He’d been neglecting her lately, and guilt gnawed at him.
"Dad, like I said."
The man cut him off, his voice harsh. Martin could only suppress his frustration, replying, "Understood."
After hanging up, Martin collected himself and walked back to Serena. She spoke up before he could start.
"You go handle your business; Dora’s got ."
Her words deepened Martin’s remorse. "Serena."
"It’s alright. We’ve got a lifeti ahead. If you can’t stick around this ti, just make it up to later."
She softened her voice, "Kneel down for a sec."
Martin knelt beside her.
In the next mont, Serena kissed him lightly, "Don’t worry about , I’ll head ho after shopping."
The clouds in Martin’s heart scattered.
"Let’s roll, Dora."
Dora, witnessing their sweet exchange, smiled as she pushed the wheelchair, "Don’t fret, Sir. I’ll take good care of Serena."
"Call if you need anything," Martin reminded them as they moved away.
"Will do."
The mall was alive with cheerful holiday tunes, a festive spirit in the air.
Dora wheeled Serena to the directory. "Let’s check out the second floor."
"Holly," Serena wasn’t pleased, but she kept her grace, "Can’t you see ?"
Holly turned, slightly surprised, "Serena? Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t notice you. With the hat and sunglasses, I didn’t recognize you." Coոtent оf
Serena bristled at being addressed so informally. "Any new arrivals?"
"Holly, I recall you being far more accommodating on my previous visits."
Serena’s presence left Holly at a loss for words. Even putting aside everything else, just looking at Serena in her wheelchair, with a plainly dressed "relative" in tow, Holly wondered how much money Serena could possibly have to spend in their boutique after being cut off from the Collins family wealth.
Not that Holly wanted her money anyway.
The Collins family’s prodigal daughter’s hocoming banquet was live-stread yesterday, and everyone at the store had watched with a mix of fascination and disdain for Serena’s shaless actions.
Though Holly was just an average sales associate trying to make sales and earn a little extra cash for her family, she didn’t want a di of Serena’s money!
Just then, the store manager approached. "Holly, what seems to be the problem here?"
"Manager." Holly started with a hint of resignation, "Serena’s here."
Upon hearing this, the manager gave Serena a thorough once-over. "With that getup, Serena, anyone would think you’ve done sothing shady and can’t show your face."
Serena bristled at that. "What are you implying?"
"Co on, we all saw the Collins family’s live stream yesterday. I just don’t get how you have the nerve to show up here shopping today. The Collins took care of you for eighteen years and you tried to take down the true heiress of family. We don’t welco custors like you. Please, leave imdiately!"
Serena was fuming. "What, is this your store? You think you can just refuse service to ?"
"You’re welco to file a complaint with our headquarters if you like, but let tell you, RY has had several partnerships with LY. Let’s see if they give you the ti of day."
"How dare you!?"
"Blacklist her. She’s not welco in this store anymore." With that, the manager spun on her heel and left.
"Yes, Manager." Holly bowed slightly in acknowledgent, feeling a mix of satisfaction and feigned sympathy. "I’m very sorry, Serena."
"Dora, let’s go!" Serena had no desire to stay a mont longer.
Dora hurriedly wheeled her out, indignant. "This is outrageous, Serena! The custor is always supposed to be right. How could they treat you like this? I’ll tell Mr. Martin and he’ll sort this out."
"As if I need this shop to survive!" Serena scoffed, directing Dora to another destination—a high-end jewelry store called SHINING STAR.
SHINING STAR was known for its exquisite jewelry, where even the simplest necklace ca with a hefty price tag. Serena had been a regular spender here, but it was surprising to see a dozen or so
custors still in the store, considering it was just after the holiday.
As Dora pushed Serena inside, one of the sales associates spotted her and seed to recognize her but chose to pretend to be busy arranging the display instead of greeting them. The other associates were occupied with other clients, leaving Serena and Dora unattended in the awkward silence.
Dora was annoyed. If Martin were here, the sales staff would have flocked over.
"Isn’t Gladys here?" Serena asked for a specific associate, drawing curious glances.
Of course, a few of the salespeople did recognize her but chose to keep quiet. None of them wanted to deal with her and acted as if she were invisible.
The sales associate, Amy, who had pretended to be busy with the jewelry, reluctantly responded,
"Gladys is off for the holiday."
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