As my father opened the door, a light, deliberate step followed. His voice was soft as he said, "Come in, darling. We're just about to come into the mansion."
I stayed frozen on the staircase. My heart was pounding so fast I thought it might burst. Who could this be? The whole thing was so damn annoying.
Then she appeared.
Serena stepped into the living room like she owned the place. She wore a stunning black dress that hugged every curve perfectly. Not just beautiful—sexy. Her hair was white as snow, her face cold and flawless, and her sharp green eyes looked like they could see right through anyone.
She forced a polite smile, but I tried to read her and couldn't. She was beautiful, and my father was right—she was exactly the kind of woman I was into. Young, confident, and unbearably attractive. I was twenty, and she looked just a little older than me.
My father greeted her warmly. "Serena, welcome to my home."
Then he called out my name. "Jace."
I stood up from the staircase and walked toward the living room.
"My son, Jace," my father said. "Serena, this is him."
She turned to me with that same practiced smile and glanced down at my messy hair and the shoes I was still putting on. Then she extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you," she said, charming as hell.
I was out of words, stunned by her beauty—and the irritating fact that she was going to be my stepmother. I didn't say anything or take her hand. I ignored her completely.
"She's trying to be nice, Jace. Shake her hand," my father said quietly.
I didn't answer. Instead, I turned and walked away.
But I couldn't stop watching her.
Her jawline was sharp, her nose perfectly pointed. Her white hair was almost the same color as her skin.
I knew she wasn't here just to be his wife.
She was here to take control of everything.
Serena's thoughts:
Who is that young fool? He's so stupid. A beauty like me reached out my hand to him, and he just ignored me? Don't worry—I'm going to be his stepmom soon. His name is Jace, right? He better watch closely as I take everything. Even if I don't take it all, his father has already promised me.
When I marry him, I'll take over the company. I'll be a billionaire. The only reason I agreed to marry his father was because I need to run my organization. So he'd better be prepared.
And that bastard around my age—James? I'll put him in his place. He'll regret ever crossing me.
Serena stared at James as he walked away, a cold smile on her lips.
"Sorry about that. I hope you're not angry, Serena, my love," my father said.
"Don't worry about that, Mr. Ethan. It's fine," Serena replied smoothly.
"It's Jace, actually," my father corrected.
"Ethan, you'll also be carrying my son's name when he gets married. That's a good thing," he added.
"Yes, it's a lovely name," Serena smiled.
"Please, come have a seat. Let me get you something to drink," my father said, standing and heading to the freezer. He returned with a bottle of wine.
Serena sat gracefully, crossing her legs in high heels. Her sharp, colorful eyes scanned the mansion—it was beautiful to her, just like the man who owned it.
Jace, however, was far from happy.
He stormed straight to his room and slammed the door behind him.
Frustration bubbling over, he punched the wall repeatedly.
Why? Why now? Why does he need a stepmom? Why?
He didn't understand. His mother was dead. The least his father could do was honor her memory by staying single.
But that wasn't his problem anymore.
Tomorrow, he planned to check out an organization a friend had connected him with—one that might help him find a lead on who killed his mother.
He stared into the mirror, his hand bleeding from the punches.
The pain was sharp and sudden.
He stopped, grabbed a cloth to wrap his hand.
Later, he went to is bathroom, then returned to his room. There, he washed the blood away and applied ointment until the bleeding stopped.