Chapter 20
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Serena didn’t even blink when she handed in her resignation as a teaching assistant at the art center. Queenie and the director spent ages trying to talk her out of it, but Serena wasn’t budging.
She knew her coworkers felt sorry for her, but sympathy wasn’t going to fix things–or stop those parents from raising hell over her lack of a college degree. Honestly? They had a point. A high school diploma didn’t exactly cut it in their eyes.
Back at her shared apartment, Serena flopped onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow. Tears spilled over before she could stop them
Her thoughts spicaled, but one question kept echoing. What now? And then there was the nagging suspicion- Could Gabriel have been behind this?”
He had told me before to quit and focus on school. But pulling strings behind me back! That wasn’t his style. The thoughts rendered in her mind. If Gabriel wanted me out of a job, he would make it loud and clear, no sneaking around.
By the time the evening rolled in. Serena had drifted in and out of sleep, though her thoughts wouldn’t let her rest. Whenever life got too overwhelming, she would crash, hoping to sleep it off. But even then, the past had a way of creeping
She thought about when she was twelve. When their whisking her overseas. She had been shattered, but jo
peared, her elder brother, Jonathan, had stepped up. it all together.
She remembered their time in Faliden. Jonathan cooked for her, made sure she went to the best schools, found her and took her out to art exhibitions on weekends to keep her spirit up
tutors.
“Once I finish college, we’ll head back to Aspellis, and you’ll ace the SAT exam. All you need to focus on is your grade.” Jonathan had promised. And for a while, everything seemed like it might be okay.
Then, just as Jonathan’s business was starting to take off back home, a car accident turned their world upside down. He’d been in critical care overseas ever since, clinging to life.
Her phone buzzed, jolting her out of her thoughts. It was Jonathan’s doctor.
“Ms. Murry,” said Dr. Ziegler, his tone grave, “Mr. Murry suffered another respiratory arrest. We have managed to stabilize him, but his condition is deteriorating
Serena’s heart sank. “Dr. Ziegler, is there anything else we can do‘ she asked, barely keeping it together.
Jonathan had been in and out of the hospital in Faliden ever since his accident. Serena had once thought about bringing him back home, but his doctor had quickly shut that idea down
The journey alone could be fatal–if he went into respiratory arrest or developed other complications mid–travel, it could be the end.
Jonathan had taken out medical insurance during his studies abroad, and even after returning to Aspellis, his account had remained active, covering most of his treatment costs.
But this year had been brutal. His episodes of respiratory failure were happening more frequently, and new symptoms kept Cropping up.
“Dr. Ziegler, if this continues… will my brother… Serena’s voice cracked. She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence
“We’re worried too,” Dr. Ziegler sighed, his tone heavy with concern. “But there is a new treatment that’s recently been approved here in Faliden It’s specifically designed for patients like Mr. Murry. Would you be willing to give it a try?”
Serena’s heart skipped a beat, but she kept her cool. “If we go through with this, what are the chances it’ll actually wake him
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Chapter 20
up? And will it hurt him?”
She wasn’t about to gamble with Jonathan’s life. If the risks were for high, she’d rather not take them.
“There’s always some level of risk–no treatment is comp
in Dr. Ziegler confirmed. “But this one comess
Serena hesitated, weighing her options. “And how much would tour
“That depends on the patient’s condition, laut roughly around 200,000 dollars”
bout
ed as if the word hit her like a brick The cost was astmnomical. Till think about int
“Okay” Serena’s
maxbreath Please decide soon, Dr. Ziegler urged gently. “Your brother’s condition is worsening by the day”
Serena hang up the call, and stared at her phone, finger hovering over Gabinel’s WhatsApp contact. He could afford it without batting an eye. But would he?
Before she could decide, a message from her coworker, Lindsey popped up
Serena, that parent who complained: They’re way out of our Iraque You’re in a tough spot, but tell me–did you piss off Gabriel sonchow!)
Attached were two names. Serena recognized them instantly. They were the clients she’d met earlier that day. Her chest tightened.
Last time Gabriel brought his senior execs to the golf c
Now, the picers were starting to fall into place–was in m corner just to force her hand? Her stomach churned at
a had clocked them instantly
everything? Did he tank her job and hack her into a
But that night in the rain when she leaned on him, it wasn’t just out of despair. There was something else she couldn’t quite
Tears splashed onto her phone screen. This was the truth she’d been running from: the possibility that man she thought he was. Yet, a part of her still clung to the hope that he wouldn’t stoop so low
“Bam!” A sudden pounding on her front door jolted her back to reality. Her heart leapt into her throat.
“Who’s there?” Serena yelled in fear.
sweetheart,” a slurred voice drawled. “Aren’t you let me in for some
Gabriel wasn’t the
Serena froze. It was her sleazy neighbor, and he sounded wasted. She shoved a cabinet against the door, her hands trembling, but the hanging only got louder. The doorframe groaned under the pressure.
“You’re not scared your girlfriend’s going to hear this?” she shouted, trying to stall.
The man chuckled darkly. “She’s out cold. Come on, baby. Let me in. You’re too damn fine to be leaving alone…”
His words grew more vile, making Serena’s skin crawl. She fumbled for her phone on the bed, her fingers shaking so badly she almost dropped it.
“Bang The neighbor had found something heavier to smash against the lock. In her panic, she accidentally swiped the
“Serena? What’s
going on? Why’s it so loud voice cape out immediately from the phone.
“Andrew?” Serena whispered, her voice cracking She hadn’t even realized he’d called
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The pounding carried through the line, and Andrew’s tone sharpened. “What’s happening? I’m in Pashew right now. Where are you?”
Serena swallowed hard. I’m at my apartment. The guy next door is drunk, and he’s trying to break in
“Hang up and call the cops. I’ll be there in ten minutes, Andrew said, his voice steady but urgent, “Block the door with whatever you can. And listen–if he gets in, don’t hesitate to fight back. Got it?”
Serena nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. “Okay”
She hung up, dialed 911, and stacked every piece of furniture she could find against the door. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited, every thud on the door rattling her nerves.
She stayed pressed against the door, bracing it with her weight and waiting for Andrew, until another knock startled her.
“Serena, it’s me. Open up.”
“Andrew?” she asked cautiously
“Yeah, it’s over.” Andrew answered gently, “He’s out cold now
After a moment of dragging furniture aside, Serena crack the door open. Her wide, tear–filled eyes peered out, her face pale with fear.
Andrew gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s okay. You’re safe no
Minutes later, the police arrived and hauled the drunk neighbor away. Andrew stayed by her side as she gave her statement, his presence a calming anchor through the ordeal. By the time they left the station, Serena was still visibly shaken
“You’re not staying here another night,” Andrew said firmly as they got into his car. “Pack up tomorrow and crash at my place. This apartment’s a death trap.”
Serena nodded wordlessly, her exhaustion catching up to her.
As they pulled away, Andrew’s assistant glanced over from the front seat. “Mr. White, Mr. Harrington is now at the Eternal Club. Should we drop by?”
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