“It’s nice to see you again, Serenity.” Dr. Fergus shook hands with his patient.

“It’s nice to see you, too, Dr. Fergus.”

After being discharged from the psychiatric ward, a fourteen-year-old Serenity had then requested him to be her therapist. After giving the matter serious thought, he had accepted, even though it required him to fly to Amsterdam several times a year and rent clinic space in a hospital near Serenity’s home.

Today was their first meeting for the year, and at seventeen, he was pleased to see that Serenity Raleigh had blossomed into a breathtakingly beautiful woman. She was dressed fashionably in a military green parka thrown over a white diamond-printed sweater, denim shorts, and black leggings. The doctor knew that she would only become more stunning over the years and could only wish that she would also become happier. God knew she deserved to be.

Pressing the record button, he set the player on the coffee table between them and asked, “How are you?”

“I’m fine as I can be, Doctor.”

Still suffering from guilt, but less so than last year, the doctor thought. It was obvious with the way her lips curved ever so slowly and cautiously, as if the girl still wasn’t convinced she had the right to smile.

To put her at ease, he changed tack and said conversationally, “Mrs. F has been keeping me abreast of all the latest gossip about you.”

Serenity’s cheeks flushed. “Most of it isn’t true, Dr. Fergus.”

He raised a brow, asking teasingly, “So that rumor about you and a certain Continian prince---”

She shook her head vehemently. “He is not my boyfriend and never was. I…I have never had one, Doctor.”

“I see. Why’s that?”

“Just not interested.”

The words came out as a mumble, which interested the doctor greatly. Perhaps his patient had a crush, someone she didn’t feel comfortable talking about? But if so, why?

“Do you have any crushes, Serenity?”

She shook her head quickly, too quickly.

He changed tacks again. “How’s your life at home?”

“It’s okay.” Serenity was staring hard at her hands, avoiding his gaze.

“You’re getting along with your stepmother?”

“Yes.”

“You know you shouldn’t lie to me, don’t you, Serenity?”

The younger girl bit her lip. “She’s…the usual.”

“Which means?” he prodded gently.

She shrugged uneasily. “Just that…she doesn’t talk or look at me, and I c-can’t blame her. I’m not her child, and if not for the will, we both know our lives would have never crossed.”

“And your sister?”

Serenity didn’t speak right away. Even now, the shock hadn’t really worn off. Ever since that scene during her first internship, the local media had become obsessed about her, and Serenity’s own sister had fanned the flames, using every opportunity to drop not-so-subtle hints about Willem having taken Serenity under his wing because of their relationship.

“Are you getting along well with Shane?”

Serenity gave the doctor another discomfited shrug. “As well as we could be, considering we didn’t really grow up together.”

“Is that why then,” he asked quietly, “you’ve always come to our meetings alone, even though I’ve told you I’d appreciate meeting any member of your family?”

A slow nod. “But it’s not their fault, Doctor. I was never…I’m not really a part of their family, and it’s unfair to force them to treat me like I am when I’m not.”

“What about friends? I told you I’d like to meet any friend of yours if possible.”

Serenity shook her head. “I have friends, but not the type I could invite to…this.”

The doctor raised a brow. “Not a single one?”

Another shake of her head.

Because of how she looks probably, the doctor thought, and because of how famous she is now. This made him remember the very cause of Serenity’s sudden surge in popularity, and he asked slowly, “What about your sister’s boyfriend---”

“He’s not her boyfriend yet,” she blurted out.

“Is he not?” The doctor kept his voice bland.

“No. He’s not. The press makes it seem like he is, but he’s not. He’s never confirmed or denied it, so it’s…it’s bad to assume things. Right?”

“Of course.” He wondered if Serenity knew how defensive she sounded. “This man, Willem de Konigh---he’s still dating your sister? I’m asking because I’d like to know how much he figures in your life.”

“They go out occasionally.” Just saying the words hurt.

“That’s the only time you see him then?”

She shook her head. “I’m working again as an intern at his company.”

“I see. And how is he, as a person, an employer, a friend?”

Serenity’s eyes shone. “He’s an incredible person, Doctor. You won’t believe how smart he is, how kind he is. He’s…everything.”

“Ah.” And now, the doctor was really beginning to see. But before he could ask another question about the billionaire, a knock on the door interrupted him, and Dr. Fergus frowned. “Are you expecting anyone, Serenity?”

“No, Doctor.”

Still frowning, he stood up and, opening the door, the doctor was stunned to find himself face to face with Willem de Konigh in the flesh.

“Mr. de Konigh?”

Serenity jerked in her seat.

Willem smiled politely. “I believe this meeting requires a personal friend of Ms. Raleigh to attend?”

When the doctor came back to the room, he was not alone, and Serenity stared wide-eyed as Willem gracefully lowered himself into the space next to her on the couch. “W-Willem?”

He murmured under his breath, “You didn’t really think I wouldn’t ever find out about this, did you?”

Serenity was unable to answer, with the doctor taking his place before them.

“Thank you for joining us, Mr. de Konigh.”

“It’s my pleasure, Doctor, and please call me Willem.”

“Willem it is then. Before anything else, I’d like you to know that this conversation will be recorded in its entirety, but everything will of course be protected by confidentiality laws.”

“Of course.”

“Good.” The doctor nodded his approval. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did you and my patient first meet?” He was not surprised to learn that Serenity’s sister had something to do with it, but he was surprised at how things had progressed from there.

“As you’ve known my patient for over three years now, I’d love to hear what your thoughts are on her progress.”

“She’s become a lot stronger,” Willem answered readily. His gaze resting on the girl sitting so still beside him, he added quietly, “She’s also learned to appreciate herself and, from there, she’s slowly allowing herself to be…happy.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that, Willem.” The doctor turned to Serenity, whose eyes had become even brighter. It made himself wonder how the Dutch billionaire could be so blind as not to see what he was seeing.

“What about you, Serenity? Do you agree with everything Willem’s said?”

A measured nod, one that told the doctor how much his patient looked up to the billionaire, and Dr. Fergus found himself disturbed.

He continued with his questions for Willem and Serenity, keeping his thoughts and emotions to himself even as his concerns grew. When an hour had passed and it was time for Serenity to go, he asked for a private word with the billionaire.

Seeing Serenity’s concerned look, he said lightly, “He’s a billionaire, my dear. You really don’t think I’d pass up the opportunity to ask for a donation?”

“Oh.” Serenity’s relief was obvious in her smile. “I’ll wait outside then, and oh, umm…” She glanced at the billionaire. “Please be generous?”

Willem rolled his eyes. “What else can I be when you ask me with those eyes of yours?”

Any other girl would have returned the billionaire’s words with a flirtatious reply, but Serenity only said simply, “Thank you.” And then she was gone.

Watching the billionaire gaze after his patient like his heart had gone with her, the doctor said quietly, “What exactly are your intentions towards Ms. Raleigh?”

Stiffening at the question, Willem slowly turned to face the doctor. “What exactly are you insinuating?”

“Nothing at all,” the doctor answered. “All I want is a simple, straightforward answer to a question.”

“She’s the younger sister of the woman I occasionally see.”

“And do you treat the other younger sisters of women you date the same way?”

Willem didn’t answer, but a muscle started ticking in his jaw.

“The minds of girls Serenity’s age are very impressionable, Mr. de Konigh. I hope you remember that.”

“She’s just a child, for God’s sake,” Willem snapped.

“She is still a child…for now.” The doctor’s gaze held a warning. “But she will be eighteen next year, and she won’t be a child then, at least as far as the law’s concerned.”

The billionaire’s jaw hardened. “I have no wicked designs on her.”

“I’m inclined to believe you, but the thing is, Mr. de Konigh…that’s not the only issue here.” The doctor gestured towards the door, where they could hear Serenity happily chatting with the billionaire’s bodyguards. “Can you completely assure me, though, that she does not expect anything from you?”

* * *

“Is something wrong?” Serenity asked the question in a small voice even though she already knew the answer to it. Inside her heart, she knew, because for so long now, her heart had started beating with his and for his.

“No.” But the billionaire’s voice was abrupt, and his gaze didn’t stray to her like it usually did when they were talking. Instead, he kept staring outside the window, a chillingly aloof look on his handsome face.

She asked hesitantly, “Is it because the meeting took too---”

“Don’t start with that,” Willem snapped.

She paled.

“Stop with the self-pity for now, ja?” His accent had thickened, and the fury in his voice was like a slap in the face. “Do you really think I’m that kind of a bastard to mind how long your meeting with the shrink takes? Do you?” He knew he was unfairly taking out his anger on Serenity, but he couldn’t stop himself. The doctor’s words had rattled him, more so than he wanted to admit, and now he was furious with both Serenity and himself.

Serenity had turned into stone in her seat. She was unable to move, unable to speak or think. She tried to think of what could have possibly gone wrong but could not come up with one reason why Willem would act like he hated her now.

They didn’t speak for the rest of the ride, and when they had reached her home, she said stiffly, “Thank you for the ride, Mr. de Konigh.”

Fuck.

But before Willem could stop the girl from leaving, she was already gone.

And things changed yet again between them.