CHAPTER 5 — THE PHOTOGRAPH
576 Words
CHAPTER 5 — THE PHOTOGRAPH
Serena woke early the next morning.
The mansion was quiet.
She walked downstairs and found the housekeeper preparing breakfast.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Mrs. Cross.”
“Please call me Serena.”
The housekeeper smiled.
“Of course.”
Serena sat at the table.
“Where is Damian?”
“He left early.”
“Did he eat?”
The housekeeper looked surprised.
“He had coffee.”
“Only coffee?”
“Yes.”
Serena sighed.
“That man is going to destroy his stomach.”
The housekeeper laughed softly.
“You care about him.”
Serena immediately shook her head.
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
The housekeeper smiled.
“I didn’t say anything.”
Serena looked away.
After breakfast, she decided to explore the mansion.
There were rooms she hadn’t seen.
Long hallways.
A library.
A private gym.
An office.
She eventually reached a door at the end of the hallway.
It was slightly open.
She pushed it gently.
Inside was Damian’s private study.
Serena looked around.
The room was filled with books and documents.
There were photographs on the walls.
She walked closer.
Then she stopped.
One photograph caught her attention.
A young Damian stood beside his parents.
And standing beside them was her father.
Serena’s heart began beating faster.
“Dad?”
She picked up the photograph.
Her father looked much younger.
He was smiling.
He appeared close to Damian’s parents.
Serena turned the photograph over.
Her hands froze.
There were words written on the back.
AFTER TONIGHT, THE BENNETT FAMILY WILL PAY.
She swallowed.
“What happened that night?”
A voice came from behind her.
“Put it down.”
Serena turned.
Damian stood in the doorway.
His face was completely different.
There was anger in his eyes.
She held up the photograph.
“This is my father.”
“I know.”
“Why is he here?”
“Put it down.”
“What happened twenty years ago?”
Damian walked toward her.
“Serena.”
“Tell me.”
He stopped in front of her.
“You don’t want to know.”
“Yes, I do.”
“You won’t like the answer.”
“I deserve the truth.”
Damian’s jaw tightened.
“You’re a Bennett.”
“And you’re my husband.”
Silence.
Serena’s voice broke.
“Did you marry me because of this?”
Damian didn’t answer.
Tears filled her eyes.
“You did.”
He looked away.
Serena whispered,
“You never wanted me.”
“I never said I did.”
“You used me.”
“Yes.”
The word destroyed her.
Serena stepped backward.
“How could you?”
Damian looked at her.
“I needed a way into your family.”
She wiped her tears.
“So I’m just part of your revenge?”
“Yes.”
She nodded slowly.
“Then I hope you’re happy.”
She placed the photograph on the desk.
“You got what you wanted.”
Serena walked toward the door.
Damian didn’t stop her.
But after she left, he stared at the photograph.
For the first time, doubt entered his mind.
What if Serena really knew nothing?
What if she wasn’t responsible for what happened twenty years ago?
He pushed the thought away.
Revenge had been his purpose for too long.
He couldn’t let one woman’s tears change it.
Or could he?
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