The Second Marriage Chance

SarahAll text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

I’m having a leisurely day here at Serenity Pines Estate.

I spent some time playing “Death Marriage” on the same computer I used when Philip and I were married, reminiscing about old times in the computer and game room. If gaming didn’t suit my mood, I contemplated ordering my favorite meal from Highland Hills or indulging in well-deserved rest.

Today, I’ve chosen to take it easy, letting Philip handle his affairs while I focus on enjoying myself. There’s no point in dwelling on problems that no longer concern me.

As I sat in the kitchen, savoring a strawberry milkshake, the tranquility was interrupted by the arrival of Madam Cornell and Megan. Their presence didn’t surprise me; it was evident they came with ill intentions, likely to stir up trouble in Philip’s absence.

Madam Cornell wasted no time in expressing her disdain for my presence. “You have the nerve to stay here at Serenity Pines despite no longer being married to Philip. Leave at once!”

Ignoring their hostility, I calmly continued to enjoy my milkshake.

“Are you hard of hearing?” she jest, raising her voice at my insistence.

“Madam Cornell, do try to keep your temper in check. You wouldn’t want those wrinkles to deepen any further. It’d be a shame to waste all that effort on your buttocks!” my simple comment.

Her reaction was predictable; she was seething with rage. “You shameless woman! Leave Serenity Pines immediately! My son has already expelled you, yet you dare to return!”

“Madam Cornell, please, let’s all take a moment to calm down,” Megan implored, her voice trembling with emotion as she struggled to comprehend my presence in the villa.

I couldn’t help but shake my head at the unfolding drama between these two women.

“Megan, you’re far too generous to that uneducated woman!” Madam Cornell snapped, summoning the guards from the Cornell Mansion. “Escort her out immediately! She has no right to be here at Serenity Pines.”

But before her guards could heed her command, they found their path obstructed by a formidable figure-Philip’s steadfast bodyguard, Trey, whose loyalty was as unwavering as his imposing presence.

“I apologize, Madam Cornell, but I cannot dismiss Madam Sarah,” the guard asserted respectfully.

“Madam Sarah?” My former mother-in-law’s voice dripped with venom as she gritted her teeth in disbelief.

“Are you, too, falling under her spell, Trey? I’ve been warning everyone: Sarah has a way of ensnaring anyone she pleases! Why don’t you just follow Madam Cornell?” Megan’s words dripped with suspicion and frustration.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at that comment.

“I’m merely following the directives I’ve been given,” Trey replied resolutely.

“And who issued these directives to you?” Madam Cornell demanded.

“I did!” Philip stormed into the dimly lit kitchen, his tone brimming with frustration. “What’s going on? Why are you here?” he demanded, his anger palpable.

“Philip, you know Sarah’s presence will hurt Megan! Sarah is just trying to seduce you; that’s why you’re not thinking straight right now. Get rid of that woman!” Madam Cornell’s words sliced through the tension.

“Me?” I was rendered speechless by Madam Cornell’s accusation. If anyone was attempting to seduce anyone, it was that fox Philip, not me! I had no intention of seducing him! He’s the one who keeps stealing kisses from me!

“Yes, you, you little brat! Can’t you see what that woman is doing, Philip? She’s just lounging around in her pajamas. Obviously, she hasn’t done anything except laze around in this villa! All she does is drink milkshakes! That’s her attitude!”

I nodded simply, resigned to the fact that my mother-in-law was used to bossing me around in Serenity Pines. But that was then-when I was still Philip’s wife. Now, I don’t care about the world!

“Mother, whatever Sarah does here in Serenity Pines, she doesn’t need to explain to anyone. She’s staying here, and that’s not your problem!” Philip’s voice carried authority, his patience wearing thin.

Madam Cornell gritted her teeth in frustration. “I’ll report her to the police if you don’t get her out now! She has no right to this property because you’re no longer married!”

I remained silent, observing the escalating argument between mother and son while calmly sipping and finishing my milkshake. It felt like watching a drama unfold in a high-definition theater.

Philip’s anger reached a boiling point, his eyes narrowing at Madam Cornell’s threat.

“I’ll call the police, Philip!” Madam Cornell threatened, her voice sharp with anger.

“Do it! Yeah, why didn’t I think of that before?” Philip commented sarcastically before lifting his mobile phone to make a call. “Alex, tell my lawyer to transfer Serenity Pines property to Sarah Mitchell’s name!”

I choked and spat out the milkshake in my mouth. ‘What?’

I thought their mother-son drama was solely their own. How did I become entangled in it?

Philip continued, his tone dripping with contempt, “You are questioning the ownership of Serenity Pines. I’ll give it to Sarah! Maybe that way, you’ll understand and won’t bother my wife anymore!”

“Ex!” I interjected sharply, correcting his misconception about our relationship, but Philip disregarded it.

Megan and Madam Cornell’s eyes widened dramatically in sheer disbelief.

Philip’s mother turned to me, her voice trembling with fury. “Y-you! You’re the plague in my son’s life! You, uneducated woman!”

I could see in Megan’s face that she wanted to strangle me, but she tried to calm herself. “M-Madam Cornell, please calm down. Maybe Philip isn’t thinking straight at the moment.”

Philip sneered. “Megan, I’m the president of a multimillion-dollar company. Are you suggesting that I make decisions impulsively? Are you implying that I’m not thinking clearly?”

“N-No, Philip. That’s not what I meant…” Megan replied tearfully.

“Sarah will be the owner of Serenity Pines Estate, so if you two are planning to go here, you need to ask permission from her!” Philip reiterated sternly.

The sound of my dwindling milkshake crackling in the glass filled the room, followed by an untimely burp escaping my lips. Philip and Trey were left speechless, while Megan and Madam Cornell showed obvious disgust.

“She really has no manners!” Madam Cornell remarked with disdain.

“If that’s all, Mother, you are free to go,” Philip commented, dismissing her.

“This is not the end!” Madam Cornell declared defiantly as she stormed out. She was followed by Megan, who left with tears in her eyes and cast a glance back at me.

In the aftermath of the confrontation, I felt a sense of satisfaction. I had considered confronting Madam Cornell to end her meddling, and now I had proven it was the right course of action. She had aimed to remove me from Serenity Pines, but instead, ownership of the property would soon be mine.

I couldn’t forget how she had tried to sabotage my medication, treating me like a psychopath while attempting to harm me with those drugs.

With the drama concluded, I longed to retreat to the solace of my bedroom. Sleep seemed a far more appealing prospect than dwelling on my problems.

“Where are you going?” Philip questioned, blocking my path.

“To sleep.”

“No, you’re coming with me,” Philip insisted. “It’s Auntie Marietta’s birthday, and she’s expecting me to come. Jane will surely be there too. She’ll arrive tonight from London.”

My eyes lit up at the news. “Jane is coming home?”

I swiftly retrieved my phone from my onesie pajamas and confirmed Jane’s message. She had completed her studies and, as far as I knew, had applied for a position at Luminary Productions.

Jane: Love, I’m heading home to Highland Hills. Brother Philip mentioned you’re at Serenity Pines. See you soon!

I could only close my mouth in disbelief at the message. I was filled with excitement about seeing Jane again.

Another notification chimed on my phone. It was a message from Jakob.

Jakob: I’m leaving Henderson. See you later!

I quickly counted the days I had spent at Serenity Pines. Right! Tonight marked the agreement between Jakob and me. Tonight, he would rescue the princess from the clutches of the big bad wolf named Philip.

The brute shamelessly trailed behind me when I entered the room, even stealing a kiss.

Later, as I showered, I caught sight of him at the foot of the bed, unclothed, holding his huge hard shaft, his gaze intense.

Instinct urged me back to the shower, hoping to cleanse away the unsettling image, yet Philip embodied a magnetism I couldn’t ignore. After all, he was the sole man who ignited my insanity.

“Care to lend a hand?” he murmured, his tone laced with darkness, shattering any semblance of reason within me.