Ren held Serena tightly. In his arms, the woman he loved sobbed—her cries barely audible, as if afraid the world would know just how deep and real her pain was.
Ren didn't say a word. He just gently stroked Serena's back, occasionally kissing her forehead and hair with patience. He knew this wasn't the time for questions. This was a time to simply be there—unconditionally. To be her shelter from a storm that hadn't even passed.
After quite some time in Ren's embrace, Serena slowly pulled away.
"I must look pathetic, huh?"
she asked with a forced smile, her eyes still swollen and her cheeks wet.
Ren looked at her deeply. "Not at all."
He reached for her hand and helped her to her feet.
"Come on, let's get out of here. I know a place with food so good, it won't make you cry—even from the spice,"
he said with a playful wink, trying to lighten the mood.
Serena chuckled softly, though her eyes were still red.
"Where is this place?"
Ren pretended to think.
"If you're curious, you'll have to come with me to find out."
Serena nodded in agreement. Quietly, she felt a little lighter. At least someone still tried to make her smile through the chaos in her heart.
Before they left, Serena excused herself to the restroom to freshen up—and to finally do something she should've done earlier: she sent a message to her housekeeper, instructing her to pack up Adrian belongings and have them sent to the address she provided. A short but firm message, like the final full stop in a painful sentence.
Afterward, she looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her eyes were puffy from crying. She sighed.
Serena couldn't hide it—and maybe this time, she didn't need to. She had to show up as she truly was.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the restroom. She was surprised to see Ren already waiting outside, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets.
When he saw her, Ren smiled, then gently took her hand and led her toward the back of the restaurant.
"We're going out the back?"
Serena asked, puzzled.
"Yup. Your eyes are puffy. The restaurant owner is worried guests might think the food made you cry, so they kindly asked us to exit this way,"
Ren replied playfully.
Serena smiled at the joke. She knew Ren had actually asked to leave through the back so she wouldn't feel embarrassed or draw attention. A small gesture that meant a lot.
In her heart, Serena felt grateful—grateful that someone still cared this much about her.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
Adrian sat in his office, staring at the door that Serena had closed just a few hours ago.
Before him, piles of documents and reports were nothing but decor. None of them could hold his attention.
All he could think about was Serena's expression—the empty stare and the fake smile so clearly painted on her face. A smile that cut deeply.
Adrian sighed. He opened a drawer and took out a document he had brought from his father's office. It was the agreement between Serena and Andre.
He pondered. What made his father so willing to hand everything over to Serena? He still had Mr. Shine… and Adrian himself.
A knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Sir, the delivery from your residence has been received by the hotel," Rio said, explaining his arrival.
Adrian fell silent. So, his stepmother had really kicked him out. Even though he was the one who refused to go home and avoided facing her, hearing those words from her own lips… still stung.
"What did I do wrong?" he wondered silently.
---
Serena raised an eyebrow as she looked at the house—or rather, the mansion—in front of her. It turned out Ren had brought her to his own home.
"So this amazing food place you mentioned is… here?"
Serena asked, eyeing him with playful suspicion.
Ren chuckled and nodded.
"Yup. Tonight's special meal comes straight from this house's very own chef."
He took her hand and led her inside. Serena quickly noticed how Ren had designed his home to feel as cozy as possible—warm, full of light, and far less formal than she had imagined.
"So, what do you think? Do you like it?"
Ren asked as they walked around.
"Hmm… It feels warm and comfortable," Serena replied with a smile, and Ren looked pleased.
After the short tour, Ren invited her to sit in the living room while he headed to the kitchen.
"You're cooking tonight?"
Serena asked, seeing Ren put on an apron with a cute design.
"Absolutely! But I can only cook simple dishes. Still, I promise you'll love the taste," he said confidently.
"Ah… really?" Serena smiled. "In that case, I'll be waiting to try your cooking."
Ren smiled and gave her a thumbs-up. Serena chuckled softly.
While waiting, Ren handed her a few books from the coffee table to browse. She picked one that caught her interest and began reading without hesitation.
From the kitchen, Ren occasionally glanced at her. Seeing her absorbed in the book, he sighed with quiet relief. At least for now, Serena could take her mind off the pain.
He suspected that her current sadness most likely stemmed from her family. If not her in-laws, then her stepson.
Though curious and eager to help, Ren decided to be patient. He would wait until Serena was ready to talk and ask for his help.
---
"Well?" Ren asked as Serena tasted his cooking.
Her eyes widened. She hadn't expected Ren to actually be able to cook something this good.
"It's delicious!" Serena exclaimed, giving him two thumbs up.
Ren grinned with pride, thrilled that his dish had earned Serena's approval.
Dinner that night was filled with warmth, laughter, and Serena's genuine compliments. For a while, she was able to forget the sorrow she had been carrying.
Outside, the rain had started to pour heavily—adding to the cozy and romantic atmosphere around them. Thunder cracked in the distance, but it couldn't disturb the comfort of the moment.
For the first time in what felt like ages, Serena felt… safe.
---