Seven years ago, after Julian saved her from William’s grasp, William backed down for a while once he knew Julian’s identity. But later, he gradually became indifferent. "Serena, you think I don’t know?" "Julian doesn’t actually like you; he’s just playing with you." "What kind of family is the Lawson Family? What kind of family is yours? Serena, do you think you’re still the great Miss Sterling from before?" "The Sheridan Family ceased to exist long ago. It was I, William, who took you and your mother in. Otherwise, you’d be out selling yourselves!" "Starting this month, give me money every month!" Humiliation again and again, demands for money repeatedly escalated. Until that rainy day five years ago, she went to visit her mother, ensuring William was out before stepping inside. But her mother was not there either. Then, William returned home, heavily drunk. Seeing things going awry, she tried to leave, but he caught her. He demanded money, but she hadn’t received the payment for the songs she’d sold. "Aren’t you with Julian? Didn’t you say he likes you? Have him transfer money to you, now!" "William, I’ve told you, I won’t ask him for money, I’ll earn it myself. You wait... Ah!" Before she finished speaking, William grabbed her hair and slammed her forehead against the side of a door. Blood instantly flowed out. "What’s so noble about that?" Follow current novᴇls on novｅlfire.net "You say you didn’t ask Julian for money. Doesn’t that mean you went out and sold yourself?" "I didn’t!" Serena screamed, struggling. William held her head down and spat: "Pah! You still want to act pure and aloof in front of Julian? Serena, it’s been two years, how come I’ve heard you’re just his lapdog?" "Let go of me!" Serena continued to struggle. But William’s grip was tight, repeatedly slamming her head against the door, against the floor. With all her might, she bit his hand and he let go in pain, allowing her to crawl and run outside. But the blood blurred her vision, she couldn’t see the road, she ran wildly while pulling out her phone to call someone. "You filthy woman, biting me, see if I won’t beat you to death!" Her phone was flung away by William’s force. "Last time someone came to save you, this time?" "Scream? Call Julian Lawson, see if he comes to save you?" "Ha, why cry? You know he won’t come, right!" "Serena, let me tell you, from the moment your mother married me, you’re no longer a Sheridan but a Wyatt." "Serena, you can never escape this in your life!" The rain poured harder, tears mixed with blood. The pain was so overwhelming she could hardly breathe. She hated the feeling of helplessness, resented herself for not doing enough. Drunk William was strong, each time he slammed her head onto the ground, he did so forcefully. She thought she was going to die. The last thing she saw was a familiar figure coming into view. And a furious voice, "William, I warned you!" Julian saved her once again. The number she dialed randomly reached Julian. He chased William away and picked her up. "Don’t be afraid, I’m here," he said five years ago. And now, five years later, in a seaside restaurant. Serena took another sip of wine, suppressing her emotions. "He should laugh," Serena put down the wine, "After all, he hates me that much." Ten years of imprisonment. Five years ago, Julian gathered evidence, not only of his assault on Serena but numerous other illegal activities and sent him to prison. It’s unknown how he managed to get William and Sheila divorced. Thus, she completely severed ties with the demon. "So, you specially brought me here," Serena looked at Julian and said, "to reminisce?" Julian just looked at her, at her slightly red eyes. "I just happened to book this place," he said. Serena nodded, forcefully suppressing her emotions. She said, "If there’s nothing else, I think we can end this meal, right?" "You asked me to bring Seraphina here, and I came." "What else do you want to do?" The sky had turned completely dark. "Let’s dance," Julian looked at the woman in front of him. She had a slender frame, slightly red eyes, her hair intricately styled in a bun at the back, very pretty. But he saw her as she was when she was young. In those summers many years ago, countless days and nights, he was like a rat lurking in the shadows, secretly watching their family’s happiness. Now, he wanted to dance with her too. So, he said, "Like when you were little." Julian went to turn on the music and stepped in front of her, extending a dance invitation. Serena looked at his hand in front of her, feeling a bit sad. She thought of her father and mother again. Those years, the Sheridan Family was at its peak, Evan Sheridan was Aeston’s most promising candidate to become the fourth titan. The Sheridan Family, Mrs. Sheridan, Miss Sterling... The three of them were once so happy. She thought the three of them could be happy forever. Back then, her parents were so loving, but her father passed away, her mother... She remembered when she sought out her mother for Seraphina’s adoption, calling Sheila "Mom." But Sheila wouldn’t let her call her that. Over the years, her mother had always been distant. Perhaps in her mother’s mind, there’s another story. "Serena?" Julian called out. Serena snapped back from her memories, placed her hand in his palm, and stood up with his assistance. The music floated gently as they danced together. His presence surrounded her, guiding her softly in the music. "Many things weren’t what I wanted," he whispered in her ear, "but they ended up ." She looked up and saw him gazing down at her. "I know you’ve been angry." Julian softly said, "Angry that I ruined our marriage, angry that I had to accompany Vera, and still angry about Isla targeting your family’s old connections." "Five months later, everything will return to how it was, as if nothing happened, we will still be the same." Serena withdrew her hand from his. She stepped back, distancing herself from him. He seemed to want to say something, but she turned away, not looking at him. Still the same as before? They could never go back. Many things, once they happen, can’t return to how they were. If a heart dies, it won’t live again. "Tomorrow morning at 9," Serena said. Serena suppressed the mixed feelings in her heart, steadied her voice, and said to him, "Bring the receipt and all required documents." "We’ll meet at the civil affairs office entrance."