Chapter 3

Serena's POV

Adrian's steps paused slightly. Gianna seemed to notice something too. She turned her head in his arms and saw me standing quietly at the top of the stairs.

Her expression showed a hint of awkwardness, but she quickly resumed that cold, distant look and tried to struggle.

"Mr. Thorne, put me down. I can walk myself."

"Don't move."

Adrian tightened his arms and continued walking up with her, stopping in front of me.

He looked at me, his tone as calm as if stating the most ordinary matter. "Serena, Gianna's foot is injured. The hospital conditions aren't as good as home, so I brought her back. It's also more convenient to take care of her here. During this time, she'll stay here to recover."

Gianna immediately chimed in, looking reluctant and proud. "Miss Wells, please don't misunderstand. I didn't want to come. He insisted on forcibly bringing me from the hospital. I'm being forced too."

Adrian glanced down at her, a helpless yet indulgent smile appearing on his handsome face. "Yes, I forced you. Happy now?"

Then he looked up at me. "Serena, Gianna is just temporarily staying here to recover. Don't hurt her."

My gaze moved from Adrian's smiling face to Gianna Carson's innocent yet stubborn face in his arms, then slowly swept over the subtle atmosphere between them that outsiders couldn't penetrate.

The place in my chest seemed to have gone numb from pain, or perhaps I'd long grown accustomed to this dull knife grinding into flesh.

"I understand."

I calmly withdrew my gaze, turned around, and walked back to the master bedroom.

The door closed behind me, shutting out everything outside.

I walked to the vanity, pulled open that delicate jewelry box, and took out a plane ticket and lighter.

The lighter's flame leaped up, igniting the paper's corner, slowly burning another ticket to ash.

The ninety-seventh.

Two left.

I looked at those ashes, my eyes empty, as if what burned along with them was what remained of my feelings for Adrian.

Gianna was arranged to stay in the guest bedroom next door.

I sat in the wicker chair on the master bedroom balcony, looking at the newly bloomed magnolias in the courtyard below.

Suddenly, I saw several luxury shopping delivery vehicles pull into the villa one after another. Staff members got out carrying large and small shopping bags printed with various luxury brand logos.

Those expensive clothes, bags, and shoes were continuously delivered to the guest bedroom.

But before long, the sound of various items being thrown out came from the guest bedroom.

I walked out the door and quietly watched the farce they were creating.

"Adrian Thorne!" Gianna's voice carried obvious anger and the humiliation of being offended. "I told you I won't accept anything from you! Take all of this away!"

"Alright, alright." I heard Adrian's voice. He was so patient. "Your foot is injured. Don't move around. These are all prepared for you. If you don't like these styles, I'll have them bring different ones."

"I don't need them! Adrian Thorne, even though you forcibly brought me here, that doesn't mean I've accepted you, and it certainly doesn't mean I'll accept your gifts!"

Adrian's voice held hidden helplessness. "You're staying here. You can't not have a change of clothes and daily necessities."

"If you insist I stay here to recover, then please have someone bring my things over. I only want my own clothes and daily necessities. Otherwise, I'm leaving right now. Even if I have to crawl, I'll crawl back!"

Her voice was stubborn and unyielding.

If it were anyone else making such a fuss, Adrian would have been furious long ago.

But facing Gianna, the indulgence in his eyes nearly overflowed as he compromised. "Fine. I'll personally go get your things. Satisfied? Rest well in your room. Don't wander around. If you need anything, call the servants in the villa."

Only then did Gianna's expression soften, though her face remained cold. "Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Thorne."

Adrian quickly went downstairs, actually going personally to fetch Gianna's things.

I returned to the balcony and watched the Maybach drive away from the villa. I suddenly felt like laughing.

Before, Adrian used to dote on me this extremely too.

He could even drive 20 kilometers to a Michelin restaurant just because I had no appetite, personally buying my favorite cupcakes to coax me.

Back then, I thought I would be his only one, the person for whom he could abandon all pride and status to love.

But now, the person he abandoned his status to love had become another woman.

I forcibly suppressed the emotions in my heart, then picked up my phone and dialed a number. "Attorney Hunter, please help me prepare a divorce agreement."