Filed to story: Second Chance Mafia Bride Drama Novel
She shot Serena a look full of resentment, as if she’d been stabbed in the back.
It was just a misunderstanding, was it really necessary for Serena to make such a scene? Did she have to be so ruthless?
Serena met her glare with a cool, faint smile.
If it had truly been a simple misunderstanding, Serena wouldn’t have minded. But Alice’s attitude made it clear: if she didn’t put her foot down, this girl would never take her, the lady of the house, seriously.
Eyes shining with unshed tears, Alice looked to Nicholas. “Mr. Salerno, you promised to give me a present…”
He actually promised her a present?
Serena couldn’t help glancing at Nicholas, an odd pang of jealousy twisting in her chest.
He was always so distant-how could he be so attentive to Alice?
Sensing Serena’s gaze, Nicholas paused and clarified, “I never said I’d get you a present. When your acceptance letter arrived, you asked for a reward. Because of Mary’s sake, I agreed, but you still haven’t told me what you want.”
So Alice had asked for it herself, and he’d just gone along with it? Serena’s mood lifted instantly.
Alice’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. The way Mr. Salerno said it, it was as if he couldn’t wait to distance himself from her.
“Well, say it now. What do you want?” Nicholas’s tone was icy, patience running thin.
Alice glanced at Serena, biting her lip. “I want a bouquet exactly like hers!” Serena’s smile vanished. She snapped her head toward Nicholas, eyes wide. This was the first time he’d ever given her flowers.
If he gave Alice an identical bouquet, it would feel like a slap in the face.
She glared at him, eyes fierce but pleading, silently begging him not to agree.
With a look that obvious, there was no way Nicholas could have missed it.
A trace of helplessness flickered across his face. He’d never been the type to worry about other people’s feelings, but the thought that if he agreed with Alice, she might lose her cheerful spark and slip back into sulking gave him pause.
He spoke at last, his tone calm but final. “Pick something else.”
Serena let out a silent sigh of relief, the corners of her lips curving up slightly.
Alice, unwilling to give in, opened her mouth to argue, but the moment she met Nicholas’s gaze, her breath caught in her throat.
“…I haven’t decided yet,” she muttered, biting her lip and dropping her head, her voice trailing off as she lost her nerve.
Nicholas replied, “Then come back when you have.”
“…In that case, Mr. Salerno, I’ll get back to work.” Alice spun around, eager to escape.
But Nicholas called out, “Hold on.”
Alice froze, a wave of unease washing over her.
Just then, Mary hurried over, trying to smooth things over for her daughter. “Mr. Salerno, I’m afraid I’ve spoiled Alice. She can be a little thoughtless at times. I hope you won’t hold it against her.”
Nicholas looked up, his expression unreadable, his tone measured. “Mary, you’re her mother. If you know she’s being thoughtless, then teach her better. I don’t want to see her speaking to Mrs. Salerno like that again, nor do I want a repeat of what happened today.”
Mary’s face paled a shade. The warning was clear.
In the past, whenever she spoke up, Mr. Salerno would usually show her some courtesy, but today-right in front of the staff-he didn’t bother saving her pride. He was angry.
She ducked her head quickly. “Yes, Mr. Salerno. I’ll make sure Alice understands.”
Nicholas nodded. “Get back to work.”
Mary hurriedly took Alice by the hand and led her away.
Nicholas’s gaze fell to the bouquet sitting on a side table. He reached out his hand.
Logan got the message and stepped forward to pass it to him.
The bouquet was stunning-crimson petals, lush and romantic, just like roses.
Before Serena could react, the bouquet was suddenly in front of her.
She stared down at it, a little dazed.
When she didn’t take it, Nicholas looked at her, a hint of confusion in his eyes. “You don’t like it?”
Serena’s heart gave a sudden flutter. “I love it!” she blurted, wrapping her arms around the flowers, fingers lightly tracing the delicate petals. The more she looked, the more she adored them.
Nicholas gazed at her, thinking she was even lovelier than the bouquet itself. “Are you happy now?” he asked softly.
“What?” Serena blinked up at him, not quite understanding.
Logan spoke up from the side, “Mr. Salerno noticed you weren’t in the best spirits this morning, so he had these flowers prepared for you.”
Serena stared in surprise. She hadn’t expected that this simple gift carried so much thoughtfulness.
A bittersweet ache welled up inside. Without realizing it, her mind drifted back to her past life. How many times had he quietly done things for her, things she never even noticed?
When she didn’t answer right away, Nicholas’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “If-“
Before he could finish, a sweet fragrance filled his arms as the girl threw herself against him, hugging him tightly.
“I’m really happy! Thank you, darling!”
Whatever Nicholas was about to say died in his throat. He froze for a split second, but didn’t push her away.
Instead, Serena, suddenly shy, pulled back quickly, cheeks flushed. “I’ll go put these in some water!”
She dashed upstairs, her footsteps echoing up the stairs as she made her escape.
Down the hall, Alice had just finished talking to Mary and was heading back to her room. She caught a glimpse of Serena hurrying past, clutching that bouquet, and her teeth clenched in jealousy.
Her phone buzzed-a message in the group chat.
[Grace: @AAAlice, when are those flowers arriving? I can’t wait! *rubs hands together*]
Annoyance flickered in Alice’s eyes as she hammered out a reply on her laptop. [Alice: Sorry, something came up. I can’t give you a ride after all. *crying emoji*]
Upstairs, Serena hurried into her bedroom, carefully set the bouquet of flowers in place, and then headed back down. To her surprise, Nicholas was still waiting in the living room.
She hesitated for a moment, then crossed the room and sank into the armchair beside him the seat closest to where he sat.
“Did you put the flowers away?” Nicholas asked.
“Mhm!” Serena nodded, then her delicate brows knitted together in worry. “I just hope they don’t wilt too quickly. Maybe I should find a bigger vase and add more water? That way, at least they’d stay fresh a bit longer.”
Nicholas’s stern expression softened as he watched how seriously she considered the fate of those flowers. Clearly, she cared about them-a lot.
“Why were you upset this morning?” His voice was gentler now.
Caught off guard, Serena glanced at him, then pouted and muttered something under her breath.