Chapter 8
Her comment wasn’t meant as a dig at anyone. Since starting college, Serena had seen classmates her age undergo abortions.
Some were naive, persuaded by boyfriends to spend the night together without understanding the importance of protection.
Women are more prone to infections in their reproductive systems, yet many young girls remain unaware.
They stumble into relationships and unknowingly contract diseases–some incurable.
In her dorm, Amiya was a gossip magnet. Every time Serena heard these stories, she couldn’t help feeling sorry for those girls.
Love was beautiful, but it needed “protection” as well
“How does that have anything to do with me? Gabriel asked, his tone neutral, though he was perplexed.
He’d only ever been with Serena, and it had been her first time. He w…
Confused, he asked. “Do you have an illness?”
she was telling him this.
Serena quickly denied it. “Of course not! I’m perfectly healthy. f just reminding you.”
Hearing the anxious tone in her voice, Gabriel’s lips curved into faint smile.
“Who knows? “Tomorrow, you’ll come with me for a checkup,” he said casually.
“Me?” Serena blinked in surprise.
Gabriel nodded. “Yes. I’ll only feel at ease after we both get checked. After all, we didn’t take any precautions that night,”
Annoyed, Serena glared at him, but when Gabriel caught her gaze, she guiltily looked away,
Amused, Gabriel raised an eyebrow. His clear voice carried a trace of laughter. “What’s that face for? Were you thinking about slapping me?”
Serena didn’t dare admit it. Slapping Camron had already caused her enough problems.
She turned away quickly, her bravado fading, “I wasn’t! I just… I don’t know why my eyes did that.”
Gabriel pressed on, “Really? So, is it your eyes fault, or mine?”
Without missing a beat, she blurted out, “My eyes, of course.”
Her quick concession made him grin, and he dropped the matter, entertained by her blend of sass and adaptability.
When they reached the corner near Ashport University’s dormitories, Serena asked Darren to stop.
Tll walk from here,” she insisted.
As she reached for the door, Gabriel’s deep voice stopped her. “Next time you run into a scumbag like Camrun, don’t hold back. Slap his head off.”
Startled, she turned to him, her eyes shining faintly in the dim light.
He continued, “When you’re out, protect yourself. If anything happens, call the police… or me
14:25 Tue, Dec 24 TGG.
Chapter 8
He didn’t look at her as he spoke, his tone calm but firm.
Serena’s lips curved into a soft smile. “Thank you.”
With that, she slipped out into the night.
Gabriel watched her go, lowering his gaze to brush his fingers against the spot on his lip where she’d bitten him earlier.
“She suddenly brought up health–what was she getting at?” he murmured.
Darren, who had remained silent until then, finally spoke. “Mr. Horrington, maybe she knows about Carina and got the wrong idea.
Gabriel frowned. “I only took Carina and my mother out for lunch. She misunderstood that?”
That was unexpected.
Darren hesitated before adding, “I retrieved the necklace Mrs. Harrington gifted Carina earlier. Carina was wearing… quite a revealing dress, so I looked into her background afterward?
He handed Gabriel a tablet with the information displayed. “Canna’s a junior in college. Over the past three years, she’s had seven or eight boyfriends.”
Gabriel tapped his fingers thoughtfully on his knee before giving a decisive order. “Give her some money, and I handle my mother. There’s no need for Carina’s help again.
Girls like Carina were in an entirely different league from someone “clean and pure.”
Darren nodded, a playful edge to his tone. “You know, Miss Serena Murry would actually be a perfect choice. But I doubt you’d introduce her to Mrs. Harrington now
Gabriel closed his dark eyes, and Serena’s face appeared in his mind.
“If I did… it’d be chaos, he muttered to himself.
Serena left early that day and only received half of her wage from the Eternal Club.
“Serena, I’m so sorry! I never thought Eternal Club would have such blatant creeps hanging around. Amiya exclaimed the next day, apologizing profusely after hearing what had happened
“This isn’t your fault. It’s just fallout from the Rose Garden, Serena said, passing the milk tea she’d ordered to Amiya. “Besides, the pepper spray you gave me came in handy.”
“Wait, Serena, you haven’t touched latte all month. Are you sure I can have this?” Amiya hesitated, looking a little embarrassed.
Serena smiled warmly. “No worries, you have been sharing food with me nonstop. If you take this, I’ll be the one feeling guilty.”
“Okay, then! Thanks, sweety!” Amiya chirped.
She planted a playful kiss on Serena’s cheek before flopping back onto her bed to continue watching her show.
During the summer break, the dorm was mostly empty except for Serena and Amiya.
Though Amiya’s family lived nearby in Pashew, she often used part–time jobs as an excuse to return to the dorm, claiming her mom started nagging her after just two days at home.
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14:25 Tue, Dec 24 TGG.
Chapter 8
Having Amiya around helped lift Serena’s spirits and distract her from darker thoughts.
But Serena knew she wouldn’t be staying in the dorm much longer.
That afternoon, she had a 2 p.m. class at Stella Learning. On her way out, she ran into Chase.
“What a coincidence, Miss Shen?” Chase called, grinning as he twirled a basketball in one hand.
Dressed in casual sportswear, his tall frame and clean–cut features gave him an effortlessly fresh and approachable vibe.
Chase’s sunny personality made him one of the most popular guys on campus.
For over a year, he’d been pursuing Serena. Despite her constant rejections, he didn’t seem ready to give up.
Yeah, what a coincidence, Serena replied with a polite smile, continuing to walk.
Where are you headed? Let me give you a ride, Chase offered, jogging up to her.
697
Then, scratching the back of his head, he laughed sheepishly. “Oh, wait–I came in my cousin’s car. But I can call us a cab!”
I someone she used to know. Serena didn’t feel any romantic spark with Chase, but his earnestness always reminded her of
Because of this, she never treated him harshly. Instead, she responded with her characteristic warmth while gently turning him down.
“No need. Stella Learning’s close by. I’ll just take the bus,” she said kindly.
Chase’s shoulders drooped slightly at her firm refusal.
He appreciated Serena’s consistent kindness, even during the two months when he’d pursued her most persistently.
Back then, he had crossed boundaries and disrupted her private life.
She had responded with nothing more than a cool look and the simple words. “I don’t have feelings for you. So please, if you
can leave me alone”
He quickly replaced his disappointment with a cheerful grin.
Determined not to repeat that mistake, Chase nodded with a wave. “Alright, take care on your way!”
As Serena headed toward the campus gate, she suddenly felt someone watching her.
Looking up, she spotted Darren standing by a sleek Bentley, his smile as affable as ever.
She approached cautiously and greeted him, her eyes flickering to the back seat of the car. The window was rolled halfway down, revealing a familiar, stormy face.
“Miss Murry, I’m here to take you to the hospital for your checkup, Darren announced, his smule unwavering.
Serena waved her hands, attempting to refuse politely. “I’ll make time to go myself. There’s no ne-
“Get in.” The cold command cut her off abruptly.
Darren stayed in place, still smiling as though he hadn’t heard her protests. His composed demeanor made it clear he wasn’t leaving without her.
Serena glanced around nervously, worried that a passing friends might notice the scene.
With no other choice, she reluctantly climbed into the car.
Tue, Dec
Chapter 9
