Rowan Keller’s heart felt like it had been smashed to pieces.
Her pursed lips parted.
“Do you really have to be so cruel?”
“I just want to show you that your life will be a complete mess once you leave me.” Zion Hawthorne walked in front of her, gazing down at her from his superior height.
“Of course, if you really want to take some of it to sell just to make a living, you can ask Serena if she’ll allow it.”
Serena Sterling pointed to herself.
“Me?”
“You are the lady of this house, so what happens to these things is naturally your decision.” Zion Hawthorne’s words were directed at Serena Sterling, but his eyes were fixed on Rowan Keller, as if showing her the consequences of disobedience: being replaced.
Rowan Keller’s hands, hanging at her sides, clenched into tight fists.
A wave of humiliation washed over her.
“If Rowan wants to take something as a memento, I don’t see a problem with that.” Serena Sterling was an expert at fanning the flames.
“But if she plans to sell them, it feels like she’d be cheapening the love you had for her.
If it were me, I could never do something like that, no matter how desperate I was for money.”
Zion Hawthorne glanced at Rowan Keller.
“Did you hear that?”
Her response was to throw the items down.
CLATTER.
She threw the jewelry she was holding onto the floor.
She turned and walked out without giving either of them a second glance.
“Why is Rowan throwing such a tantrum?
Did I say something to upset her?” Serena Sterling bit her lip, her face a mask of self-reproach.
“Should I go and apologize?”
“Don’t,” Zion said.
Serena Sterling hesitated.
“But…”
“Go and see if there’s anything you don’t like.
If you find something, I’ll have it taken away.” Zion Hawthorne ruffled her hair, his voice full of affection.
“Everything in here is yours from now on.”
“Thank you, Zion.” Serena Sterling hugged him.
That scene.
Rowan Keller caught it out of the corner of her eye.
Even though she knew they would be intimate together, seeing him treat Serena Sterling with such doting gentleness with her own eyes made her heart ache nonetheless.
‘He had once told her that he loved her most—that she was his exception, his favorite.’
‘But all of that was gone now.’
“Still not done packing?
Or do you not want to leave?” Zion Hawthorne came to stand before her, looking down at her.
Rowan Keller slammed her suitcase shut.
“I just wanted to see how a decent person turns into a piece of garbage.”
“And did you find your answer?” Zion Hawthorne asked.
Rowan: “I did.”
Zion Hawthorne: “Then please leave.
You’re not welcome here.”
‘Aren’t you afraid I’ll just stay here, refuse to divorce you, and force Serena Sterling to be the other woman hiding in the shadows for the rest of her life?’ Rowan suddenly had the urge to say.
‘But then she remembered that was exactly what he wanted.’
“Don’t bother packing Summer’s things.
I’ll have them sent to you after you’ve found a new place,” Zion Hawthorne said, as infuriating as ever.
“I just hope you won’t end up selling his belongings to pay for your mother’s medical expenses.”
“Don’t assume everyone is as shameless as you are,” Rowan Keller shot back.
Zion Hawthorne took a step closer, leaning over slightly to trap her.
“In that case, I’ll be waiting with bated breath, eager to see you stand on your own two feet.”
Rowan Keller glared at him.
Just as she was about to shove him away, Serena Sterling walked out.
Seeing how close they were, the smile on her face vanished in an instant.
Afraid that Zion Hawthorne would see how jealous she was, she forced a nonchalant tone and said, “Zion.”
“What’s wrong?” Zion Hawthorne asked, turning his head to look at her.
“I like everything in there.
Can you give it all to me?” Serena Sterling asked, sneaking a glance at Rowan Keller.
Zion Hawthorne straightened up, his posture exuding a calm nonchalance.
“If you like it, it’s yours.
You don’t need to check with me.”
“But… these were your gifts to Rowan, after all.
Would it be wrong for me to take them?” Serena Sterling asked, her expression conflicted.
“If you really felt it was wrong, you wouldn’t have mentioned it.
Since you did, stop putting on an act.” Unsuppressible rage filled Rowan Keller’s delicate features.
“You’ve already stooped to being the other woman, so why pretend to worry about what’s right or wrong?”
Serena Sterling’s eyes welled with tears.
“Zion…”
Zion Hawthorne’s demeanor instantly turned cold.
He took a step toward Rowan Keller, closing the distance until they could feel each other breathe.
“Hasn’t anyone ever told you?
The one who isn’t loved is the real ‘other woman.'”
Rowan Keller slowly lifted her gaze.
It was as if she were hearing such a morally bankrupt statement for the very first time.