The next morning, Christian sent a car to pick me up. To my surprise, ten bodyguards were already seated inside.
A faint unease started to creep into my heart.
Had he found out something?
As the car gradually came to a stop, I was led into a garden overgrown with thorny bushes.
The leading bodyguard finally spoke. "Madam, Mr. Leighton said he won't send you back until you've picked ninety-nine white roses."
As if I had long since given up, I obeyed with surprising calm.
"Give me the tools," I said coolly as I lowered my gaze.
"Mr. Leighton said Miss Stone only likes the ones picked by hand."
That reply made me momentarily frozen. I couldn't help but stare at the garden bristling with razor-sharp thorns before me. I realized that I had no other option.
When I stepped out from the garden, covered in wounds, clutching a full 99 blood-stained white roses, my pristine white dress was already soaked crimson. My once delicate, pale fingers were now drenched in blood.
There was a time when Christian wouldn't even let me touch cold water and gently cradle my hands. "Serena, your hands are meant to hold a paintbrush, to create the greatest masterpiece in this world."
My vision went completely black. I couldn't stand it anymore and fainted.
Meanwhile, in the luxurious party hall, Jocelyn appeared arm-in-arm with Christian, radiating the grace of a princess.
For a moment, everyone present was stunned.
"Isn't that the 'Star of the East,' a gem of which there is only one in the entire world? Mr. Leighton actually bought it for Miss Stone."
"Indeed. It seems Mr. Leighton truly spares no expense to win a smile from his beauty."
Whispers of admiration filled the room, every eye fixed on Jocelyn with envy. She naturally basked in the spotlight and her smile was exceptionally brilliant.
Nevertheless, only one person remained distinctly out of place. That was me, Serena Clarke.
Exhausted from blood loss and the recent abortion procedure, my body was severely weakened. As a result, I had fainted again.
The moment I opened my eyes, Christian forced me downstairs.
"Serena, you're here," greeted Jocelyn, who spotted me standing alone in the corner.
She feigned surprise, her voice soft yet clear enough for everyone present to hear.
I didn't want to get tangled up with her. But just as I was about to leave, Jocelyn grabbed my wrist.
Her eyes instantly welled with tears, giving her a pitiful, vulnerable look. Even so, beneath that gaze lay blatant provocation and undisguised smugness.
"I know you dislike me, but I came to join this family, not to tear it apart. Serena, you'll always be Mrs. Leighton. All I want is Chris' love."
Before I could even object, I was sharply rebuked by Christian, who had rushed over after hearing the commotion. "Serena, haven't you made enough of a scene? Today is Jocelyn's celebration party. Do you absolutely have to cause a commotion so everyone focuses only on you?"
"Apologize to Jocelyn immediately and hand over the gift you prepared for her," he barked.
I stared into Christian's unfamiliar, icy eyes. Though my heart boiled with refusal, the thought of my brother forced me to swallow back my words.
The bruises on my body ached faintly, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my heart.
In front of everyone, I held out the blood-stained bouquet of ninety-nine white roses to Jocelyn.
Under Christian's cold gaze, I closed my eyes as if quietly awaiting death itself. I could only sigh softly, "I'm sorry. Everything that happened before was my fault."
As soon as I said that, the crowd murmured. A wife apologizing to the mistress was truly a rare sight.
Jocelyn looked at the flowers I offered and slightly frowned. "Thank you, but as much as I like this bouquet, I can't accept it."
