Leap OF Fate

Chapter 86

Serene felt an arm hug her from behind and a chin rested on her shoulder. Definitely not one of her

twins. She sleepily turned around to look at the person and saw Mary’s clear face.

She had not been answering her calls for the past week; it drove her crazy.

As if knowing what was in her mind, Mary softly said, “I’m sorry, Mama Bear,” and she hid her face on

her neck.

“I’m the one who should be sorry. You received all that shit from protecting me and my children. Forgive

me?” she pulled her friend away to look her in the eyes.

“Shen, you don’t need to apologize. Yes, Justin was a big and mean bully for doing that to me, but I

don’t regret protecting you and those adorable munchkins.” she smiled up at her. “But you shouldn’t

have risked your safety by rushing right in the lion’s mouth,” she said sternly while poking her finger on

her friend’s forehead.

“Admit it, that was brave of me, huh?” she teased her friend.

“Nuh-uh, Ms. Ellis,” she waved her index finger in front of her. “What you did was stupid, not brave.

That asshole could have followed you here!”

“I know. It scared me too. Did he bother Susie? I used her restaurant to escape,” she asked, guilt

written on her face.

“He can try! Susie will just kill him with kindness.” she said and smiled at her friend, who still looked

worried. “Relax, Shen. He did nothing to Susie and I think he won’t bother you for some time because

he’s got his hands full.”

Serene’s brows knit but did not open her mouth to ask. Mary got up from the bed and took the tablet

from her bag. She swiped and scrolled through the screen before giving it to her.

A news article showed on the crystal display. The article featured a pixilated photo of a woman in what

appeared to be in the middle of a sex act with two men. The article named the woman as Crystal

Smith, the Jewelry Heiress and fiancée of tycoon Justin Rain. Apart from the photographed threesome,

the article mentioned she also used drugs.

Serene covered her mouth with her hand and looked at her friend in horror. “Is-is this true?” She asked

the obvious to which Mary just answered with an eye roll. “I mean, she’s not framed, is she?”

“I don’t think so, Shen. Her drug use is an open secret in the industry.”

“That’s too bad. I like that girl.”

“Me too.”

Mary sat beside her friend, who still continued to look at the article. Her disbelief got deeper for each

time she re-read the article. After a while, she seemed convinced that the article was true; she returned

the device to her then gave a deep sigh.

“Let’s forget Crystal for a moment,” Serene said, and shifted her body to face her friend. “Are you

familiar with the designer Pierre Ingram?” she asked.

“Who in the fashion world doesn’t? Of course, I know Pierre Ingram!”

“Well, he’s a client, and he told me he’s accepting an apprentice. I hope you don’t mind that I gave him

your business card,”

“Shut the fuck up, Serene Ellis!” Mary said, her voice high-pitched as she jumped off the bed to look at

her best friend. “Tell me you’re just pulling my leg.”

“It’s true, Sis. He’ll be here to attend a private function then would fly back to Paris after, hopefully with

you,” she said and smiled at her friend. Mary looked dumbfounded one second, then her eyes welled

with tears in another. “It’s the least I could do for all the trouble I caused you. So please, say yes to

Pierre?”

Mary gave her a tight hug and showered her face with kisses.

“I want a kiss too,” Pax’s high-pitched voice said as he rushed into the room to give her and Mary

kisses.

“Me too!” Felicity followed suit and gave them sticky kisses with her chocolate smeared mouth.

The atmosphere at the Rain mansion was the opposite of Serene’s suite. Nick, who had not been

feeling well, forced himself to get out of bed when he learned about Crystal’s situation and immediately

summoned Justin.

“What did you mean you’re not lifting a finger to get this fixed?” Nick’s raspy voice filled the study. His

fists pounded on the table as he looked at his son with sharp, murderous eyes. “It’s your responsibility

to help her out. She’s your fiancée for crying out loud!”

Elaina held on to her husband’s arm and coaxed him to calm down. “Justin, you gotta help Crystal.

People are smearing her reputation. Your father is correct, you need to take responsibility.”

“I am not taking responsibility for her actions. Everyone knows about her drug abuse. Neither am I

marrying her,” Justin rebutted, his voice calm but firm. His expressionless eyes met his parent’s furious

stares.

“What do you mean you are not marrying her? We already sent the invitations for your engagement.”

“Then let’s send out another communication for the cancellation.”

“You bastard! I think you are the one who’s taking drugs. What craziness are you talking about? Cancel

the engagement? Are you kidding me?” Nick once again stood from his seat and shouted at his son.

“I never agreed to this engagement. I never said that I will marry her. I will only marry my children’s

mother.”

“Are they really yours, Justin? Did you confirm it?” Elaina’s excited voice confused Nick and alternately

looked at his wife and son.

“Yes. I had DNA tests done on both of them since she won’t admit that they’re mine --”

“What the heck are you two talking about? What DNA test?” Nick asked the other two people in the

room. The feeling of being left out fueled his anger.

“Well…” Elaina started. Her eyes darted to Justin who just sat calmly across them, his crossed leg

swinging from time to time. “I accompanied Crystal to commission her dress to be hand-painted.

Remember the artist that I’m fond of recently, Felicity Pax?”

“Yes. Please don’t go around the bush, Dear.” Nick said, a little exasperated from all the preamble his

wife gave.

“Right. So, it turned out that Felicity Pax is none other than Serene. And she gave birth to twins. Look, I

took their pictures.” Elaina ignored her husband’s irritation and showed him the photo of Felicity and

Pax she sneakily took.

Nick squinted his eyes as he looked at the digital screen. He zoomed on each child’s photo and

lingered more on the boy’s face. He looked at Justin with incredulous eyes. “What did you say the

reason for your breakup again?”

“Dad…”

“Didn’t you say she cheated on you?” He looked at his speechless son and saw the guilt and regret

displayed on his face. “How old are they?”

“They’re four. Turns out they’re friends with Kendrick. He even went to their Birthday party.” Elaina

answered, her eyes dancing in excitement.

Nick contemplated but did not remove his eyes from the smiling faces of Felicity and Pax. They looked

so much like Justin. They’ve already grown, yet Serene kept them out of their radar. He sighed and

once again looked at his son. His eyes no longer furious but solemn.

“She must have a reason to not let you know about the children. She even denied paternity, despite the

obvious resemblance. Tell me, Justin, did she really cheat on you five years ago?”

“Dad…” Justin looked at his father, feeling like a five-year-old who was being scolded for missing his

nap. He swallowed hard, opened and closed his mouth, but no words came out from it.

“I knew it. You must have done something to make her hide her pregnancy and deny you your children.

There’s really no end to the troubles you’re bringing.” Nick shook his head as he looked at his son.

“How do you plan to get them back?”

“I still don’t know Dad. Serene’s adamant on keeping them.” Justin said in a low voice and ran his

hands through his hair. “I know I did her wrong. I’ve been looking for her in the past five years to make

up to her, but to no avail. I just want her back,” Justin’s voice broke as he suppressed his emotions. He

did not want to have a breakdown in front of his parents.

Nick and Elaina had never seen Justin in such a state in his thirty years of life. He’s always been strong

and confident. But now, he looked lost and broken. As parents, their hearts bleed for him. They did not

know the details of their breakup five years ago, but looking at Justin now, it’s beyond them what he

could have possibly done to make Serene resist him this much. Add to all this, the mess that Crystal is

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