But no matter what he said, she knew it could not be true.

True love did not betray. True love did not lie. True love did not hurt.

And in her innocence and inexperience, Serenity believed this to be true. She believed it so much that soon her tears turned her emotions into a feverish desire for revenge. She would make the billionaire pay. She would make him take a dose of his own medicine.

She would make him fall for her and then humiliate him the way he had humiliated her.










Chapter Five

“HEY THERE,” WILLOWSomerset-Manolis greeted sleepily when she saw her friend hovering awkwardly by the doorway. She was a violet-eyed brunette, petite and curvy, and – due to the doctor’s strict orders – was on enforced bed rest.

“Hello.” Serenity’s voice was grave, and she didn’t move from her position as she continued in the same tone, “I only wanted you to know I’ve arrived.”

Willow rolled her eyes. “Stop being so formal and come in here.” She pushed herself up to a sitting position and, while waiting for Serenity to reach her, she took quick but careful note of the girl’s face. What she saw didn’t please her at all.

Serenity sat gingerly at the foot of the bed, fearful of making any movement that might cause the pregnant woman pain. When their gazes met, she blurted out, “You seem to get bigger every time we meet.”

Willow grimaced. “Why do you have to be tactless just with me?”

Serenity flushed. “I’m sorry. It’s just that...” She shook her head. “But you reallyarehuge.”

Willow couldn’t help chuckling at Serenity’s worried tone. “Relax. How many times do I have to tell you? This is perfectly normal for someone who’s carrying twins, and then there’s the fact that Stavros isn’t exactly petite.”

Serenity wrinkled her nose at the mention of the Greek billionaire’s name. “I still think he’s made you pregnant too early, and it’s just his way of chaining you to him so that when you’ve regained your senses and realize he doesn’t deserve you, it will be too late, and you won’t be able to leave him.” Even now, Serenity couldn’t quite make herself forget completely all the things her friend had suffered in the name of love. In her opinion, Stavros Manolis would never deserve her friend, and it was something she had not attempted to hide from the billionaire.

Like now.

The door behind her opened, and when she glanced over her shoulder, Serenity and Stavros both grimaced upon seeing each other.

“I see your baby lioness has arrived to protect you,” Stavros murmured as he strode into the room. “She’s found out about my latest affair, hasn’t she?”

Serenity gasped. “How could you?”

Willow shook her head in amusement. “Stavros, you must stop teasing her. She’ll never—-” The rest of her words was cut off as her husband gave her an open-mouthed kiss as soon as he reached her side.

When he straightened, Serenity was furiously blushing, and so was his wife. “I hate you,” Willow grumbled. “You’re supposed to be conservative, you know.” But her violet eyes were full of love and desire as they rested on Stavros’ face.