Serena's POV~
For a moment, everything went quiet again.
Then, she laughed softly and blinked, her expression melting back into one of gentle warmth. "Ah," she said, wiping the corner of her eyes with trembling fingers, "I'm just so happy."
Her voice quivered like she was holding back tears. "My daughter… my sweet little girl has finally grown up. She's finally found her father's love again."
Fake tears rolled down her cheeks as she spoke, every word heavy with exaggerated emotion. "I'm so happy," she whispered, her tone cracking just enough to sound believable. "My poor child has been so alone all these years without her father's affection. A mother's greatest wish is only to see her child happy."
I almost rolled my eyes right there. The fake pity, the trembling voice, the crocodile tears...it was all too much. She was putting on a perfect show, as always.
But then… something changed.
