Chapter 16 - Serena's Last Secret

I had reached the point where "there's something you need to know" felt like a threat.

Serena sat across from me.

"I didn't come to your wedding to expose Marcus. Not originally."

"Then why?"

"Lorraine asked me to keep him calm until midnight. She knew he was close to confessing the affair and backing out of the trust financing."

Marcus looked at her. "You were working for my mother?"

"At first."

My jaw tightened.

Serena didn't look away.

"She promised to clear my name if Harbor Ridge collapsed. She had emails that made it look like I approved the shell vendors. I was scared."

"So you helped her manipulate him."

"Yes."

"And me."

"Yes."

The honesty was brutal.

She continued. "But I copied the files because I realized Lorraine wasn't going to protect me. She was building a case to blame everything on me."

Marcus said, "The kiss?"

Serena's eyes dropped.

"Part of me wanted proof you were still willing to betray Danielle. Part of me wanted you. Neither reason is good enough."

I sat back.

For months, I had imagined the other woman as a symbol.

Beautiful. Silver dress. Enemy.

The real Serena was worse and sadder.

She had choices.

She made bad ones.

So had Marcus.

So had Lorraine.

So had my father.

No one person owned the whole disaster.

But some people owned more of it than others.

"Are you cooperating with police?" I asked.

"Fully."

"Then do that."

She nodded.

"I am sorry."

"I believe you."

Her eyes widened.

"That doesn't mean I forgive you."

She nodded again.

Fair.

After she left, Marcus sat across from me.

"Do you hate me?"

I thought about it.

"No."

He looked almost relieved.

"I don't trust you either."

Relief disappeared.

"I understand."

"I loved you this morning."

His eyes filled.

"I know."

"Part of me still loves you now. That's the humiliating part."

"It isn't humiliating."

"Don't tell me what my feelings are."

"You're right."

He looked down.

I opened the annulment envelope.

Then my phone buzzed.

It was the hotel manager.

"Ms. Carter, we found something in your bridal suite safe. It has your name on it, and police asked us not to move it."

"What is it?"

"A second wedding ring."

I looked at Marcus.

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He looked genuinely confused.

Then the manager added, "And a note from Lorraine Hale that says, 'This is the ring Marcus was supposed to give Serena.'"