Seven Years Loving the Wrong Man

It was the seventh year of Serena Williams and Raymond Scott's union. Serena felt more like a bed-mate for Raymond to relieve his physical needs than a lover. After another round of s*x, Raymond nonchalantly brushed past the top of Serena's head. "When I turn thirty, if I still haven't found her, I'll settle down with you." Serena knew who the figure in Raymond's heart was. It was the little girl who had pulled him out of the sea over twenty years ago. Raymond said he had promised her back then that he would marry her when they grew up. Serena had asked him more than once, what if he never found that girl? She'd asked for seven years. However, Raymond never responded. But today, she finally got the answer she had longed for. Because after midnight today, Raymond would be thirty. Serena couldn't help but feel a surge of elation. Tonight, Raymond held a grand banquet at the manor on the outskirts of the city. Right now, they were in the castle's penthouse, making love. An hour from now, they would stand hand in hand before the castle gates and embrace their future together! Serena held her sore waist, gently kissed his Adam's apple, her eyes dreamy. "Wait for me." An hour later, she wore a fishtail dress, clutching a pair of prepared couple rings. She thought, after tonight, they could leave the past behind and truly begin. But when she turned around, she saw Raymond tightly embracing another woman. The man, usually so aloof that he was even stingy with smiles, now had eyes filled with the ecstasy of finding something lost, his voice trembling. "I finally found you!" The woman wore a white dress, her eyes like a startled fawn. Serena stood in place, the warmth in her fingertips instantly turning cold. It was Irene Miller, the daughter of the Williams family's maid. Irene had lived with her mother at the Williams estate since she was young, and Mark Williams, Serena's father, had always treated her kindly, even sponsoring her to study abroad seven years ago. However, their personalities didn't match, and their relationship had always been lukewarm. Irene timidly said, "Mr. Scott, you... you must have mistaken me for someone else." Raymon released her, his fingers gently brushing the emerald pendant hanging around her neck. His voice was gentle, as if he were afraid of disturbing a precious treasure. "Back then, this is the token I gave you when you saved me. Why have you never come to find me?" Irene looked bewildered. "I... I nearly drowned as a child and ran a high fever. I forgot some things. I don't remember who gave me this pendant." "It was me." Raymond's eyes shone brightly. "I told you back then—you would be my only bride." Those words stabbed into Serena's heart like a knife. Irene's gaze went past Raymond's shoulder, looking directly at Serena. "Mr. Scott, you're already married to Ms. Williams." Raymond turned to look at Serena. The warmth in his eyes instantly vanished, as if he were looking at a stranger. "Before the marriage, I told her that my heart only belongs to you. She made her own choice." A crushing pain spread from her heart, making it hard for Serena to breathe. She recalled seven years ago, when the Scott and Williams families first proposed the marriage alliance, the first time she met Raymond, she found herself captivated by his icy gaze. He had clearly told her then that he was waiting for someone and would not fall for her. Yet she refused to believe him, assuring Raymond, "I can wait. If you find her, I will willingly step aside." Back then, she was too young and too confident. She'd thought proximity would eventually win his heart, that she'd someday capture the moon. Just last night, he had held her and said, "Serena, let's have a proper wedding." At that time, nestled in his arms, her heart raced, thinking she had finally reached for the stars. But now, he claimed his heart belonged solely to Irene.