Promised Two Months Served Six Years
Deans father saved my life, Beck. Cant you just endure this for me? When you get out, well get married.
I nodded, tears blurring my vision. Two months, shed promised.
When I got inside, I learned the sentence was six years.
I tried to recant my confession, but all I earned was a beating.
Someone outside is keeping a tight lid on you. Who do you think you are, a filthy criminal daring to dream about someone like Miss Wells!
My eyes were bloodshot from the blows. The last thing I saw before I passed out was the prison TV, where Serena was walking arm-in-arm with her childhood friend, announcing their engagement.
My heart turned to ash. After six years of torture where every day felt like a lifetime, I was finally released.
But as I quietly boarded a train with my worn suitcase, Serenas assistant stood respectfully in front of me.
Mr. Miller, Ms. Wells wants to see you.
1
I sat in the car, watching the city rush backward.
Six years had changed Coronado Bay significantly.
The car passed a towering skyscraper. A news story was playing on a massive billboard: Coronado Bay Heiress Serena Wells Spends Nine Figures on a Watch for New Boyfriend; Couple Seen Entering Mansion.
Nine figures. I slowly counted the zeroes.
I looked down at the simple woven bracelet shed given me six years ago. It had cost maybe two dollars, and now the surface was dull and rough.
I gently unclasped it and tossed it out the open window.
In the blink of an eye, the car pulled up to a sprawling estate.
Lost in thought, I took the phone the assistant handed me.
Serenas light, pleasant voice drifted through. Beck, something came up. Wait for me at the house for a bit.
I listened silently, and only after three seconds of her pause did I manage a slow, muffled grunt of agreement.
Serena went quiet for a moment, sounding slightly confused.
I had grown silent over the past six years, no longer the person who used to chatter on endlessly to her.
After the call ended, I sat in the villa, waiting.
The cleaning staff behind me occasionally glanced my way, whispering.
Ms. Wells brought another one home. This one is too thin. Not very good-looking.
I think he came straight from prison.
Oh, God, how unlucky. Ms. Wellss taste is getting so strange. At least before it was actors, models, or rich kids. This one is just...
They sighed, shaking their heads, feeling Serena was settling.
I felt nothing, except for the urge to keep checking my wrist for a non-existent watch.
Serenas promised "a bit" had stretched into seven hours.
I hadnt eaten since leaving the facility. The air conditioning was set too cold, and I was simultaneously freezing and famished.
I finally asked the butler for any news of Serena, but after asking twice, he glared at me with clear impatience. He treated me like just another one of Serenas hangers-on.
Ms. Wells is entertaining Mr. Palmer. Theyre watching fireworks from a yacht right now. She doesnt have time for you.
Dean Palmer. His name flashed instantly through my mind.
Six years ago, hed drunk-driven and critically injured two pedestrians.
I took his place.
I went from being Beckett Miller, the beloved son of a respectable family, to a universally condemned inmate.
He, meanwhile, had been elevated to Mr. Palmer, adored by Serena, living a life of utter privilege.
But I didnt care anymore.
My familys collapse, my parents suicidenothing could stir a ripple inside me now.
Except for the two things Serena had promised before I went in: marrying me, and buying back my familys heirloom bracelet.
Now, I no longer wanted the marriage. My only wish was to retrieve the heirloom.
My thoughts snapped back. The wrenching pain in my stomach grew sharper. I clutched my abdomen and walked to the kitchen.
As I reached to prepare something, a maid unceremoniously slapped my hand away.
Dont touch anything. Ms. Wells and Mr. Palmer dont like outsiders eating here.
Youll have to wait.
She finished with an eye-roll and walked away.
After three more hours of waiting, Serena still hadnt returned.
I lay on the sofa. My vision turned black. I passed out completely.
2
When I woke up, I was in bed with an IV drip in my arm.
Serena was facing away from me, angrily scolding the staff.
Are you all idiots? The man is starving and you couldnt manage to make him some food?
One more time, and youre all gone!
Dean Palmer heard the commotion and walked in. Serena, dont be mad. Come out and have some tea.
He pulled her out of the room.
The maids looked at each other, their faces pale.
That scared me. Ms. Wells hasnt been that angry in a long time.
Its his fault! Putting on an act to make us look bad!
Dont get cocky. Hell be kicked out in two months anyway.
The women hurried away.
I pulled out the needle and slowly walked out.
The first person to see me was one of Serenas friends.
She clearly didnt know who I was, only saying with surprise:
Serena, is this the new housekeeper? Why is he coming out of your room?
Serena spun around, and when her eyes met mine, her pupils visibly flinched.
Unseen for six years, she was still poised and elegant.
I, however, looked like a traveler facing his final days, my expression weary and aged.
Dean let out a small, smug chuckle and strode over, puffing out his chest.
He addressed the woman in the silk dress like the master of the house:
Layla, this is a distant cousin of Serenas from out of state. Not a housekeeper.
I looked at Serena. She watched me silently, offering no denial.
She must have decided that the current me was too much of an embarrassment to acknowledge openly.
It made sense. I was now an ex-con. Our engagement had been six years agohistory.
As the silence stretched, the chef announced that dinner was ready.
We sat down. They chatted about recent events, which I didnt understand at all. I just kept my head down, focusing on my food.
But suddenly, Layla exclaimed:
Oh, right, Serena! That boyfriend of yours in prison must be out by now.
You never seemed that into him anyway. Just give him some cash to go away. Make sure he doesnt cling to you.
In an instant, the previously lively dinner table fell silent.
Dean glanced at me, a flash of mockery in his eyes.
Serenas face remained composed, but she didnt answer.
Layla sensed the shift and started to apologize, but I interrupted her with a small, calm smile. He wont.
Layla turned to me, curious, and asked why.
I slowly swallowed my rice, but before I could open my mouth, Serena cut in sharply.
Enough. Just eat.
She stared fixedly at me, her beautiful eyes churning with an unreadable depth.
I remained still, lowering my gaze to my plate.
After dinner, Layla noticed the grand piano in the living room on her way out. Thats a gorgeous piano. Who is it for?
Dean swaggered over and began to play a clumsy, elementary piece.
When he finished, he looked smugly at the appreciation in Laylas eyes.
I just started lessons, but my teacher says Im a natural. Better than some people whove been playing for ten years.
He glanced at me, clearly aiming the comment.
I had studied piano, violin, and guitar since childhood, with the piano being my strongest. I even performed at a famous concert hall in my twenties.
Dean had always been fiercely jealous, claiming hed be even better if hed had the money for lessons.
Now that Id been locked up for six years, he assumed my skills had withered.
He grinned, facing me. Beck, I hear you were quite the prodigy. Why dont you show us what youve got?
3
Serenas brow furrowed, as if she wanted to stop me.
But my fingers were already on the keys.
The next second, a rich, rhythmic melody flowed out effortlessly. It was a level of mastery that made Deans beginner piece sound like mere noise.
A look of surprise flashed in both Serenas and Laylas eyes. When I finished, they both applauded immediately.
Deans face was green with rage, and he glared at me with hatred.
Layla moved closer, her tone earnest.
Wow, youre incredible. I have a concert-grade piano at my place. Want to come over and try it sometime?
I opened my mouth, but before I could reply, Serenas voice came out, cold and sudden. Its getting late. You should go. Dean can take you.
Layla shot me a look of genuine disappointment. Dean looked annoyed but followed her out, glancing back at me repeatedly.
The vast living room was left to just Serena and me.
I pulled my shoulders tighter, shivering slightly. The air conditioning was high, but her face was colder than the air.
Serena suddenly grabbed my wrist. Her tone was ugly, almost cruel. Beckett Miller, youre out for one day and youre already trolling for dates? Were you dying in there?
I didn't react. I just gave a weak, indifferent tug of my lips.
I was barely a man anymore, having lost nearly thirty pounds. The confident spark of my youth was gone.
Seeing my silence, she seemed startled. I used to love fighting with her. But now, looking at my facea surface of dead watera sharp, needle-like pang hit her heart.
Her voice softened immediately. I didnt mean that.
I will give you what youre owed. Just not right now. Our marriage is still happening.
The word marriage made her pause. She lowered her voice slightly. What did you mean at dinner when you said he wont?
Serena fixed her eyes on my expression, clearly desperate to know what Id meant.
I countered with my own question: Where is the bracelet? My familys heirloom.
Serena froze, the light in her eyes flickering.
My heart seized up. My voice cracked. Tell me. Where is the bracelet?
She sighed in frustration. Dean took it to wear. I forgot to get it back. Ill call him now.
The ringing sound of her phone cut through the air. I closed my burning eyelids and waited.
Suddenly, Serena looked at my wrist. Where is the red string I gave you?
It broke.
Serena flinched. Seeing my careless indifference, her heart tightened inexplicably.
Thirty minutes later, Dean rushed back, sweat dotting his forehead.
Serenas eyes flashed with concern. She spoke with a hint of reproof. Did you have to rush?
Dean bit his lip. He spoke in a low, meek voice: I was worried Beck would be mad at you.
Serena stroked his head, a gesture that clearly meant thank you for your trouble.
Dean stuck out his tongue playfully, then turned and walked toward me, smiling.
Beck, I was the one who pestered Serena for the cuff. Youre a bigger man, please dont be mad at her.
Dean was a master of passive aggression, instantly placing me on the high ground of being an unforgiving villain, while he played the role of the pitiable, compassionate friend.
But I was tired of his games. I simply held out my hand. Give it to me.
Dean nodded and handed me a small, ornate box.
My heart hammered. I quickly raised my hand to take it.
But the moment my fingers touched the box, he let it go. It tumbled to the floor.
I lunged to save it, but I was too late.
The open box showed the cuff, now broken in two.
4
Dean looked genuinely horrified, but as he leaned in close to my ear, his voice slithered out like a viper.
If I cant have it, you cant either.
Seeing the triumph in his eyes, my head exploded. I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.
Dean crashed to the ground, his voice shaking with feigned terror.
Im sorry, Beck. You can hit me all you want.
He reached out to gather the broken pieces of the bracelet.
Seeing his act, I felt a surge of pure fury. I reached to push him away, but in the next second, Serenas hand clamped down hard on my wrist.
She shrieked. Enough!
A vein pulsed on her forehead. She looked enraged.
But when she met my desperate, tearful gaze, her voice finally softened.
Dont cry. Ill buy you another one. Dean didnt mean to.
She placed a gentle hand on my head to comfort me, but every word she spoke was an excuse for Dean.
I clung tightly to the shattered jade pieces, my entire body shaking uncontrollably.
Blood streamed from my palm, dripping onto the floor, blooming into stinging red stains.
Serenas eyes narrowed. She quickly pulled my hand away.
She stared at my bloody, lacerated palm. Just as she was about to explode at me, I saw black spots fill my vision. I crumpled to the floor.
I woke up feeling utterly exhausted, my head splitting.
My throat felt like I had swallowed razor blades, so I dragged my heavy body out to get some water.
As I reached the corner, I saw two figures standing in the dim hallway.
Deans voice was fretful, as if he hadn't recovered from the conflict.
Will Beck be upset if I sleep here?
I run this house.
Serenas voice was quiet but held an iron-fisted authority.
The feeling of being protected flooded Dean with satisfaction. He remembered the past again.
He sighed. Serena, thank you. If you hadnt come up with that debt-of-honor excuse back then, I would have been the one rotting in prison for six years.
Serenas face stiffened. She let out a small sigh.
I owe him for this, but making it up to him with the rest of my life is enough.
Her tone was casual, with a hint of distant sadness. Deans vanity was instantly satisfied.
He wrapped his arms around Serena, leaning down for a passionate kiss.
Serena froze momentarily but didnt pull away.
Watching their entwined forms, I felt as if Id fallen into a frozen lake. My legs were so weak I could barely stand.
Serena had always claimed Deans father saved her life. She said a person must repay kindness, which was why I had willingly become the scapegoat.
In the end, it was all a convenient lie.
My heart rate spiked suddenly.
Through my shaky vision, Dean panted: What if he finds out?
Serenas expression slightly hardened, then she slowly shook her head.
He wont find out. And even if he does, what can he do? Look at him now. Im the best option he has left.
Besides, I wont let him go.
Deans fists clenched. Not hearing the answer he wanted, a flash of resentment crossed his eyes.
Serena, I worry about you. He is totally unworthy of you now. People will mock you
Stop.
Before he could finish, Serena cut him off, her voice showing clear impatience. She distanced herself from him.
Go to bed. Im going to check if Beck is awake.
First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "335432" to read the entire book.
MotoNovel
Novellia
Bookworm« Previous Post
Too Late To Beg The Sister We Betrayed
Next Post »
This is the last post.！