The dream felt so real that I was left with a lingering sense of fear. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.


    When I got up, I found that Mom was already awake and busy in the kitchen.


    "Mom, why are you up so early?" I rubbed my eyes as I walked over to her.


    "I couldn''t sleep," she said with a smile. "So, I thought I''d make you something nice to eat."


    A wave of warmth spread through my chest, and I stepped forward to hug her. "Mom, thank you."


    Breakfast was simple-just a bowl of steaming hot oatmeal with a few side dishes. Even so, it filled me with a deep sense of contentment.


    "Serena," Mom suddenly called. "Have you been troubled by somethingtely?"


    I froze for a moment, not expecting her to ask that. "No. Why?"


    "You seem distracted these past two days," she said with concern. "Is it because you''re having trouble finding a job?"


    I hesitated for a moment but decided to swallow my words. "It''s nothing. I''ve just been busy and didn''t get enough sleep."


    She didn''t seem entirely convinced but didn''t press the matter further.


    "Just make sure to rest when you can. Don''t overwork yourself," she said.


    I nodded in response. After breakfast, I got ready to head out.


    As I reached the entrance of the apartmentplex, I spotted Lucas'' car parked by the roadside. He was leaning against the car door and holding a cup of coffee in his hand, seemingly waiting for me.


    The sight of him made my heart sink.


    I sighed and walked straight toward him. "How did you know I moved here?"


    He took a sip of his coffee and said, "I have my ways. You just need to know that no matter where you go, I can find you."


    I rolled my eyes, not in the mood for his banter. "Do you need something?"


    "Can''t I juste to see you?" He handed me the coffee in his hand. "Try it. It''s a new vor."


    I took the coffee, hesitated for a moment, and then decided against it.


    I said casually, "Thanks, but I''ll pass."


    "What are you thanking me for? You''re not even drinking it." He raised an eyebrow. "There''ll


    nyel


    future." el


    plenty of chances to thank me in the


    I didn''t want to get caught up in his nonsense. "What do you really want? If it''s nothing important, I''m leaving."


    The smile on Lucas'' face faded, reced by a more serious expression. "What


    are you nning to do about the Hastings family?"


    My heart skipped a beat. So, this


    was why he was here. "My mom and Mr. Hastings Senior are already


    divorced, and I''ve left Hastings Group. There''s nothing left tying me to them."


    "You don''t want to get back at him?" Lucas took another sip of coffee.


    He hesitated for a moment before finally saying the name, "Mr. Hastings Senior."


    I bit my lip. To be honest, I hated him for all the suffering he had put me and Mom


    through. But what would revenge really aplish?


    "Even if I take revenge, what will it


    change? said with a bitter smile. "The past is already behind us,


    Want to keep getting tangled


    up in it."


    Lucas looked at me with aplicated expression. "Are you sure that''s what you really want?"


    I nodded, avoiding his gaze.


    He casually changed the subject. "You''re not working right now. How about grabbing a coffee with me?"