She heard him respond with a faint acknowledgment.
Whether Adrian truly believed her or not, Serena felt that it no longer mattered.
Countless heavy blows struck the back of her head, the resulting pain echoing in an unending buzz.
After the ringing in her ears faded, she was left facing reality, laid utterly bare.
The thorns piled high and deep between them, piercing every defense in their love, until it shattered completely.
She didn't know who she was supposed to hate.
The whole world was against her—including herself.
The only thing she could do was to protect herself, and protect those she cared about.
The next day, as planned, they went skiing on the Matterhorn and spent a blissful, happy day together.
That evening at the candlelit dinner, Serena opened a bottle of Sassicaia red wine, raising her glass to toast their bright futures.
The diverging of paths in life so often meant that each person would find their own success and glory.
