Serena slept soundly through the night.
As the first rays of morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, tiny specks of dust floated in the air.
Snuggle mewed softly, rubbing against Serena's wrist. The marks Cole had left on her yesterday had faded. Now, only the ticklish brush of the kitten's whiskers remained, nudging her awake.
Half-asleep, Serena sat up, unlocked her phone, and disabled the Do Not Disturb mode.
A flood of unread messages filled the screen.
Howard: "Nina, are you awake? We heard Mr. Larson Senior was hospitalized. We want to visit him today."
Howard: "He's bedridden and seriously ill. As his granddaughter-in-law, shouldn't you be there?"
Howard: "Reply as soon as you wake up! We're waiting near the hospital!"
Howard: "Hurry up, you ungrateful brat!"
Each message was more frantic than the last, hammering into her mind.
Finally, a ripple of emotion stirred in Serena's calm thoughts. She dialed Howard's number.
He answered in a fury. "So you finally remember to reply to me! If you won't fulfill your duty as a granddaughter-in-law, we'll do it for you!"
Serena scoffed over the phone. "Dad, you don't sound like you're worrying about Mr. Larson Senior. You sound like someone desperate to climb the social ladder."
"Don't talk nonsense! I just want to make a good impression on Mr. Larson Senior. That way, your life in their family will be easier…"
Serena let out a cold laugh as she got up. She pulled the curtain open and let the morning light spill in. But her voice remained icy.
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