"Are you certain about this, son?" Inquired Sébastien's father Harris upon seeing the divorce documents lying on the table. Despite his worldly wisdom, he harbored doubts about the events that had transpired two weeks prior.
"Oh, stop it, Harris! What do you mean by that? Seb was meant to marry Ariana, not that wench who came between them. They would have been married by now if it weren't for her interference." Interjected Sasha, her gaze icy as she retorted to her husband.
"Mother is right! My brother should be with someone of his own class. Not some beggar that Grandma brought in from the slums." Added Gwen, her love for a wealthy lifestyle evident in her comments.
"I must concur with my niece. Ever since Seb married that girl, most of my friends have distanced themselves from me. I cannot bear it any longer!" Joined in Emily, Sébastien's aunt, further insulting Serenity.
Grandma Williams remained silent, not contributing to the insults or stopping her family from making hurtful comments. She simply stayed neutral.
The rest of the family took a seat, finally getting a moment to relax. They had been at the hospital for almost two weeks, without proper rest.
Serenity listened to their words in silence, her eyes fixed on her husband who was busy comforting his childhood sweetheart.
Coming to a decision, Serenity stood up and hurried to her bedroom, leaving everyone confused as more insults were hurled at her back.
Soon, she returned downstairs with only a backpack and went straight to where everyone was sitting. She picked up the pen and signed the divorce papers without even bothering to read them.
The family was stunned by her actions. Though it was what they wanted, they had expected it to be more difficult to get Serenity to sign the papers.
The most surprised was Sébastien. His heart clenched for some unknown reason the moment Serenity signed her name on the agreement. What was that feeling? Why did it affect him so?
"Did... did you not read the agreement?" Sébastien finally managed to speak, finding himself curious.
As she wiped away the tears from her face, Serenity gifted him with a dazzling smile that nearly took his breath away. Her pearly white teeth and dimples on each cheek only added to her beauty.
Serenity's words brought him out of his trance. "I may be poor, heck an orphan at that, but when I saved your grandmother's life, I never expected anything in return. It was she who pleaded with me to marry you, in exchange for paying my school fees.
I do not know what benefits these divorce papers hold for me, but rest assured, I do not require a single penny as compensation. No amount of wealth or money could ever make up for the harm you have caused me." Serenity spoke, her words piercing through the tense silence. Then, with a determined look on her face, she unzipped her backpack and poured its contents out on the floor.
To everyone's surprise, there were only textbooks and pens inside. Serenity's actions left them all stunned, curious as to what she had planned next.
"When I entered this house, I had only these things with me. I knew that a prominent family like yours would never accept a poor student like myself as your daughter-in-law.
Still, I tried my best to live with you as a family, even though I knew you would never truly accept me. I became your servant, doing everything for you without question. Even when I was on the verge of breaking down, I still put on a smile. However, all I received in return was nothing but humiliation." She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"You all saw me as a gold digger, someone who married your son for money. Well, here is all your money. I, Serenity Montgomery, swear on my life that I have never spent a single penny that I received from any of you!" She declared proudly, looking at their shocked faces.
Then, she picked up a small notebook and handed it to Sébastien, along with a bank card.
"This notebook contains every penny you all gave me, along with the date and location. I have never used any of it. I simply opened up a bank account and deposited the money into it.
I once believed a day would dawn when you would reciprocate my feelings, and I would offer it to you as a gesture of my affection. But alas, I was mistaken.
Therefore, I am returning all that I have given you. Though I may be impoverished, I am no gold digger. I take pride in putting my hard-earned money to use, rather than relying on others." Serenity declared, extending her hand towards a stunned Sébastien, who could only dumbly accept it.
Noting his shocked daze, Serenity placed the notebook and card on the table before turning her gaze to Grandma Williams.
The elderly woman shifted uncomfortably under Serenity's icy stare, but remained silent.
"Mrs. Williams, you did indeed agree to cover my tuition fees in exchange for saving you and marrying your grandson. However, as I told you before, I did not need it. And now, I return to you the entirety of what you paid for my education. I was perfectly capable of covering my own expenses." With that, Serenity placed another card in the old woman's hand.
Grandma Williams felt as though she held the weight of the world in her hands, rather than a simple card. The card felt heavy, and tears sprung to her eyes.
But Serenity paid her no mind. She could cry blood, and still, it wouldn't affect her in the slightest.
Having said all she needed to say, Serenity packed her things and headed for the door.
"Wait! How can we be sure this card actually works?" Gwen, the lover of money, exclaimed.
Serenity paused and turned to face her with a cold gaze, causing her to shrink back in her seat.
It was the first time Serenity had ever looked at her with such hatred. And truth be told, her stare sent shivers down everyone's spines.
"You can't be so foolish as to not check with the bank, can you? Besides, unlike you who fear poverty more than death, I am not afraid of losing my wealth!" Serenity stated calmly, yet icily.
Again, everyone gasped in shock. Was this the same naive and submissive Serenity they knew? Why did she seem so different after the divorce papers were signed?