"Rena, I really want to talk to you," Zach said.
"I don''t."
Serena felt a dull headacheing on. She no longer saw the point in talking to him.
In their youth, they had loved so deeply that they exhausted every sweet word they could ever say.
When they first entered the business world, they worked relentlessly to establish their careers. Their partnership flourished, ultimately leading to the founding of Zarena Group.
Now, love was gone, leaving behind nothing but a heart riddled with scars.
What seeped through the cracks was nothing but rot. Every word they exchanged was a de meant to wound.
What was left to say?
She turned to leave-only to see someone rushing toward her.
It was Gene.
The ever-reliable, good-natured Gene jogged up, carrying two bags of food.
"Mr. Larson ordered your meal in advance, customized to your tastes," he said. "He was concerned that after the shock, you''d be too drained to go out, so he had me deliver it to you right away. I almost got a ticket on the way, but luckily, the food''s still hot."
"In advance?"
Serena froze for a moment. It had barely been half an hour since they''de downstairs to handle thepensation.
She nced at the restaurant logo on the bag-it was from a ce over an hour away.
That meant that while she and Hugh were still on their way home, he had already nned ahead and ced the order for her.
A softugh escaped her lips. "He really is thoughtful. Please thank him for me. I''ll be sure to enjoy this meal with gratitude. And I''m relieved you didn''t actually get a ticket-safetyes first. Drive safely on your way back."
"Thank you for your concern, Ms. Jansen. I''ll be careful on my way. Please enjoy your meal," Gene replied with a warm smile before jogging off.
Serena weighed the two food bags in her hands-they seemed enough for two.
Too bad Hugh was busy. It seemed like she''d have to finish both portions on her
own.
With that, she turned and headed upstairs.
Zach''s frustration grew as he watched the warmth in her smile when she epted the meal. Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed her arm.
"Let go!" Serena quickly shoved his hand away, her eyes zing with fury. "Why are you being so persistent? If you keep this up, I''ll call the police right now and@eport you for harassment!"
She was in a hurry to eat.
Zach failed to hold onto her, but he wasn''t ready to back down.
"Why do you like Hugh so much that you''d rather be his mistress just to stay by his side? Just because he orders you food and protects you once twice? What about the 3 years we spent looking out for each other? Serena, did you leave me without a word just to run into Hugh''s arms?"
She hadn''t left without a word-Zach had simply never noticed the sound of her footsteps as she walked away.
Back then, he hadn''t cared that she was leaving. Now, she owed him no exnation.
Serena remained silent and kept walking.
Zach gritted his teeth and followed.
Behind them, Wendy could no longer bear to watch. To her, Zach had always seemed distant and out of reach. Yet now, he was chasing after Serena like a desperate fool.
Unwilling to ept the scene before her, she rushed forward and grabbed his
arm.
"Zach!" she shouted. "Can''t you see Serena for who she really is? She doesn''t care about you anymore, nor does she feel the need to exin the past. Why lower yourself by chasing after her and demanding answers? You''re only humiliating yourself!"
Zach snapped. "I just want an answer! Wendy, let go of me!
"Serena, don''t go. Just give me an answer. I need to know. Why did you leave back then? Why did you leave so decisively? Did our 13 years of history mean nothingpared to Hugh?"
Hearing the two of them snapping at her like rabid dogs, Serena let out a slow, heavy breath.
Finally, she turned, her icy gaze locking onto Wendy.
"Instead of demanding answers from me, why don''t you ask your beloved Wendy what she did? If you really want to know why I left—she knows better than anyone."