Serena put her phone down on the table. Ren slowly walked over to her. He didn't dare touch her, just stood a few steps away, waiting for her reaction.
"Serena,"
he called softly, his voice a little unsure. "No other woman has ever come to this house except you."
Serena raised an eyebrow, her expression seemed to say,
"Is Elena not a woman?"
Ren gave a soft smile, understanding what she meant.
"Elena is family, so she doesn't count,"
he explained with a small laugh. "You're not mad anymore, right?"
"No," Serena finally replied—short, but firm.
Inside, Ren felt a wave of relief. He had been genuinely scared and panicked at the thought that Serena might end their relationship. Fortunately, he had explained everything in time. Ren knew for certain—he would never let go of the woman he had fought so hard to be with.
Slowly, Ren reached for Serena's hand. She didn't resist. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly and burying his face into the crook of her neck.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"Huh...? For what?"
Serena asked, puzzled by the sudden gratitude.
"For not leaving me," Ren said honestly.
Serena pulled back slightly from the hug.
"If you had really cheated on me, Ren, I wouldn't hesitate to leave you,"
she said calmly but with a hint of warning.
Ren nodded slowly, his eyes serious.
"I would never do that,"
he said. And in his heart, he added,
"I'd never do anything that could make you walk away from me."
Serena let go of the hug and stood up.
"I'm going to take a shower," she said simply.
"Okay," Ren replied softly.
---
After showering and changing clothes, Serena and Ren now sat side by side in the mini theater inside Ren's house. The first time Serena saw the room, she had been quite surprised. No wonder Ren built such a big house—so that everything they needed could be done indoors.
They ended up choosing to watch a documentary film. Ren didn't have many movies in his collection, but they were entertaining enough.
Serena sat on Ren's lap. Her eyes were on the screen, but her mind kept replaying what had happened earlier.
"Ren," she called softly.
"Hm?"
"I want to ask you something," she said.
"Sure, go ahead."
"When you saw me with Andre, what did you think?"
The moment Ren heard Andre's name come out of Serena's mouth, he tightened his embrace. He didn't like hearing that name. In an instant, he felt what Serena had felt earlier—jealousy.
In his heart, Ren regretted feeling pleased earlier when Serena got jealous. Now he knew exactly how it felt.and he hate it !!
"I'll never make her feel like this again,"
Ren promised himself.
Feeling Ren's embrace grow tighter, Serena realized the topic was sensitive. But she still wanted to know.
"Ren..." she called again, gently.
"I don't know," Ren finally said.
"Huh?"
Serena frowned, confused by the vague answer.
"When I saw you with Andre, I erased him from my mind. I only focused on you,"
Ren explained. His eyes remained on the screen, but his attention was fully on Serena.
Serena sighed, half giving up at that answer.
"Why are you bringing this up now?"
Ren asked, curious.
"I just wanted to know... whether Andre and I looked like a couple or not,"
Serena replied softly.
Silence.
Ren didn't respond, surprised that Serena would say something like that. He looked at her face, trying to read what was in her heart.
Serena took a deep breath.
"Actually... my marriage with Andre wasn't what it seemed."
She hesitated to continue. But what happened earlier made her realize that a healthy relationship needs honesty and communication. There could be no more secrets.
"I can't tell you everything just yet," she continued gently, "but I'll try to tell you little by little."
Ren was surprised. He hadn't expected that there was a big secret behind Serena's marriage.
"I'll wait for you... for the rest of my life if I have to,"
Ren said sincerely.
Serena let out a soft laugh, her heart warming. She caressed Ren's cheek while glancing at him from within his arms.
"Are you sure you won't regret it?"
she teased.
Ren smiled, looking at her with certainty.
"Of course. I'll never regret it."
Serena was taken aback. Ren's gaze was so serious, so genuine. She returned his gaze.
Somehow, the atmosphere shifted—what had been light and warm turned deeper, more romantic.
Their eyes locked. Slowly, Serena's attention drifted to Ren's lips.
Without hesitation, Ren kissed her. It wasn't their first kiss, but this one felt different. There was passion, sincerity, and something burning beneath the surface.
The kiss was deep, full of emotion, and Serena found herself tangled in the skill of Ren's tongue.
"Mmm..."
Serena moaned softly as Ren gently sucked her tongue, full of desire. A strange tremble ran through her body, leaving her weak in his arms.
Hearing Serena's moan, Ren sank deeper into his passion. His hand wandered to Serena's waist, touching her warm skin.
"Ren,"
Serena said, half protesting as she felt Ren's hand slip beneath her clothes.
Ren stopped immediately. He looked at Serena—her face flushed, breathing heavy, eyes glistening, lips swollen from the kiss. She looked breathtaking… too breathtaking and seductive !!
But Ren didn't want to push her into something she wasn't ready for.
"Sorry... I lost control,"
he murmured, pulling her into a warm hug again.
Serena gave a small smile and gently returned his embrace. After a while, she tried shifting her position. But suddenly, Ren stopped her.
"Wait. Don't move yet," Ren said quickly.
Serena looked at him, concerned.
"Why? Are you okay?"
Ren swallowed hard and lowered his gaze. "Just... give me a moment to calm myself down," he said in a low voice.
At first, Serena didn't understand. But when she realized something ' firm and hard ' pressing against her, her eyes widened. Her face turned bright red as she understood what Ren actually meant.
"Ren...." Serena murmured, covering her face with her hands.
Ren only chuckled softly, still trying to catch his breath and calm himself down. Despite the slight awkwardness, a warmth lingered between them. Not just from the physical closeness, but from the honesty, the understanding, and the sense of belonging that was slowly growing—bit by bit, yet surely.
---