SECOND CHANCE TO LOVE

CHAPTER FOUR

Serena’s Pov

Thr check felt so heavy on my hands. As I looked at it with mixed emotions—fear, relief and lots more. This paper was here to fix my life but because of it I have lost control over it.

“Thank you….Master Herdniberg.” I said with a shaky voice, which was low.

“Milliton.” correct me, “you are my wife now, you can drop the formalities.”

Wife? The word made my stomach turn, as I tried to push down the bile rising up in my stomach. I had to remind myself that it was nothing more than a business arrangement.

My eyes darted towards him. He stood there, his shoulder held up in pride. His presence alone screamed dominance and I was certain I had just signed away my life.

He beckoned on butler Kon, who stepped forward with another document which he handed to me.

“This is the activity that would follow up immediately. We would be announcing our engagement in the charity gala, which is next week and before that you would be moving in with me.”

“Wait…what!” I exclaimed

Milton’s brow furrowed “It is a necessary step. The press would be investigating us and anything that seems off will be tomorrow’s headline, beside” his voice became more commanding, “I need to make sure every detail is up to standard, that you are up to standard.”

His voice told me there was no room for negotiation but I tried anyway, “can we wait a little? My mother’s…..”

“Medication, her grocery and rent would all be sorted out. A team is working on it and by the weekend all debts from your end would be cleared.”

The way he spoke did not calm me down a bit but it added to my uneasiness. This man was taking control over my life.

Before I could say anything more, he continued, “Butler Kon would tell you more details. Be ready!“

He turned in his heels and strolled out of the room, while I watched him stroll out with my hands clench on the check. My hands trembled with the check but the face of my smiling mother appeared in my mind and I was quick to brush the pain of selling my freedom to the side.

My eyes darted to butler Kon who stood there with an unreadable expression. His presence made me feel more choked up.

“We have to get going, Ms. Serena. This way please.” His polite gesture snapped me from my thoughts.

“Hmmm….where are we going?” I asked slowly.

“To your new home.” he responded “but we would be collecting your belongings first like master Millton had instructed. A car is waiting outside.”

New home. Another foreign word. I wanted to scream out my lungs but I maintained myself as Kon was watching me closely.

I followed Kon silently, my frets heavy as I dragged them. A black car as intimidating as the owner was waiting in front as the driver opened the door and for a while, I hesitated.

I took a deep breath, “do.…do… I have to move….right now?” I asked in a low voice, trying to filter my words as I hoped that it would make them feel pity towards me.

“Master Milton wants it that way.” Kon replies to me, “The staff are there to help you settle in.”

We got in the car and drove to my house. I quickly packed my little clothes, told my mum I would be gone for a while but I would visit on a weekly basis and she should take care of herself and Liam as I handed her the check.

She looked confused but I told her I would call her to explain. She nodded and I hugged both her and Liam as I said goodbye to them with tears in my eyes.

The staff helped move my things to the car and I could see Liam looking at me with confusion but there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t take him with him and I wanted to but I quickly just wind up to stop myself from messing up the plan.

We drove off and the tears did not seize to flow.

Thirty minutes later

We arrived at a penthouse. The building was towered over the city, the glass exterior bringing in the sunlight as it gleams. The interior was just as expensive as the outside.

“This is where you will be staying, miss.” Kon announced as we stepped into the building.

My palms were sweating so badly. The house was—perfect and cold.

“Master suite is to your left.” Kon directed me, “The staff has arranged it as expected for your arrival.”

I looked around the house, it looked new and unused, “where is he?” I asked.

“Master Milton is out on a business meeting at the moment.” Kon replied, “he would be back tomorrow ... .till then, you have the house to yourself.“

I let out a deep breath. I was relieved that he wasn’t here and I was able to have the space to myself, even if it was for one night.

Kon stepped forward with another folder which he handed over to me, “this is your schedule for the week, ma’am. It contains all the details including the charity gala that will be happening tomorrow night. Master expects you to make yourself accustomed to everything in the file.”

I took the folder without a word. As Kon turned to leave, I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “Why does he have to control everything?”

Kon paused, his expression softening just a fraction. “Master Milliton values precision, Ms. Serena. It’s how he operates.”

With that, he left, leaving me alone in the cavernous space. I sank onto the couch, staring blankly at the skyline beyond the glass. The city buzzed with life, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside me.

I glanced down at the folder in my lap, then at the check still clutched in my hand. This was supposed to save me, to save my mother—but instead, it felt like I’d walked into a gilded cage.

For now, I’d focus on settling in. One thing was certain: as much as Milton wanted to control my life, I wasn’t going to let him dictate everything. This was still my story to write, no matter how tightly he held the reins.