The Blood Contract
Chapter 33: Peaceful bliss

Chapter 33: Peaceful bliss

Serena’s jaw clenched tightly after Mitchell walked away, her teeth grinding together as she fought to keep her composure. Of course, she didn’t fancy Lucian in that way, but Mitchell’s last words had ignited a fire within her, making her want to punch the girl’s face until her eyes were so swollen she wouldn’t be able to recognize him even if he stood right in front of her.

But she held herself back from going after Mitchell. She wasn’t one to engage in a public fight, especially unprovoked—or even slightly provoked by mere stupid words.

A small wicked smile appeared on her face when she promised herself that she would find a better way to deal with the girl.

Taking in a deep breath, she continued toward the dressing room, her steps steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

An attendant was already waiting by the curtains, her hands clasped neatly in front of her and a polite smile on her face.

"Please go in, ma’am. Do not hesitate to let me know if you need any help with the dress. I’d be glad to assist you," the lady said, her voice warm and professional.

"Thank you," Serena replied, stepping into the dressing room. The curtains swished shut behind her, enclosing her in a private, well-lit space.

Standing before one of the four floor-to-ceiling mirrors, she tried on the navy-blue dress and instantly fell in love with it. The fabric felt light and airy against her skin, as if it had been woven from clouds. It fit her perfectly, hugging her curves in all the right places without being too tight. It was as if the dress had been made with her exact measurements—tailored just for her.

But as she twirled around, checking every angle, Mitchell’s words dropped into her mind like a heavy bomb, shattering her sudden good mood.

"Considering your poor taste in outfits..." the girl had said while looking at the blue dress.

There was nothing wrong with the dress she had on, but she also remembered Darrell had said the black one was better suited for the occasion she wanted to attend.

Why the hell was she even considering the price when she wasn’t the one paying for it? If Lucian had enough money to make his call girl comfortable enough to afford dresses from a place like Lacrare, then she wasn’t committing any crime by spending some of the money too. After all, she was his wife—at least on paper.

Moreover, if she looked good on that day, it was for herself and not for him. She deserved to feel confident and beautiful, regardless of what Lucian or anyone else thought.

With that final thought, she stepped out of the blue dress, carefully hanging it back on the hanger. She decided she was taking it along, but she wasn’t done yet.

She proceeded to the rack where the black dress hung in all its glory, the fabric shimmering subtly under the store’s soft lighting. Darrell was standing nearby, his hands tucked into his pockets as he waited patiently. He approached her instantly when he saw her coming.

"The black dress. Bring it down for me," she told him, her voice firm.

His eyes sparkled with approval as he reached for the dress and handed it to her. "This is going to be perfect. I just know it," Darrell commented, his voice filled with confidence.

Serena smiled in response, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Let’s hope you’re not wrong," she said, then moved back to the dressing room. Realizing she would need help with the top part since it was a corset, she called for the attendant.

Even before the dress settled fully on Serena’s body, she couldn’t believe her eyes. The black gown hugged her figure like a second skin, the intricate beadwork along the neckline and the top as a whole catching the light and adding a touch of sophistication. She looked like a totally different person—elegant, powerful, and radiant.

"This is the perfect dress for you, ma’am. You look like a goddess," the attendant commented in a satisfied voice, her face filled with awe, just like Serena’s. "It’s a little loose at the waist. If you want, we can adjust it to fit your waist perfectly."

"No," Serena declined, her voice firm. She could already see perfection. "No need to alter anything. I like it just like this," she added, and the attendant nodded, retreating slightly to give her some space.

Right there and then, Serena decided she was going with the dress. It wasn’t just a dress—it was a statement.

She eventually left the store with three dresses, including the navy-blue one, and they proceeded to the jewelry shop to get befitting accessories for the occasion, followed by a different shoe shop for her footwear. Each piece they picked out seemed to elevate her confidence, and by the time they were done, she felt like a queen ready to conquer the world.

Once they were done with shopping, Serena reminded Darrell that he had promised to show her around the city. That one request, Darrell was ready to oblige.

They drove around town as he showed her all the interesting places he could remember. The city was a sprawling metropolis, alive with energy and color. He pointed out the biggest and best restaurants in town—one of which was owned by Lucian—as well as luxurious hotels, serene parks, bustling recreational centers, and tranquil relaxation gardens.

By the time it was late afternoon, Serena could say her eyes had been well-fed, as well as her stomach. The city was big and beautiful, a direct opposite of the small town where she had been hiding for a few years.

They finally arrived at a small, picturesque park where Serena wanted to cool her head before heading back to the house to face her problems again. The park was a quiet oasis amidst the city’s chaos, with tall trees providing shade and a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves.

Fortunately, she found a group of old men and women gathered together, playing a game. About forty disposable cups were placed on a table in two straight lines, twenty on each side, with a reasonable distance between the cups and a basket in front of each row.

The game was for two players, and the aim was for each contestant to pick up a cup, one at a time, and place it in the basket, repeating the action until all the cups were in the basket. The first to get all of their cups in the basket would win.

With a snack in hand, which she was slowly munching on, and a priceless smile on her face, Serena watched the oldies go at it, giving their best effort to finish first. When a cup fell from one woman—the one she was unconsciously supporting—she found herself springing to her feet, her heart pumping while hoping the woman would catch up to her opponent.

On the side, Darrell watched her, glancing once in a while at the gaming group whenever she gave a strong reaction. The little time he had spent with her made him realize she wasn’t at all the tigress she portrayed herself to be. She was just like a child who had found herself in a world where she had to put up walls to protect herself. She didn’t belong in their world at all.

If he could, he would make sure she went far away from them and never returned, but he had no such power.

While he was still deep in thought, his phone buzzed, and he checked to see that the caller was Dr. Marlowe.

"Doctor?" Darrell called after picking up, his voice low and cautious.

"Are you with Serena?" she asked, her voice tense and urgent.

"Yeah. Something wrong?" Darrell narrowed his eyes, catching the urgency in the woman’s voice.

"I need you two to start coming back now. It’s urgent," Marlowe revealed before ending the call abruptly.

Darrell let out a sigh, feeling sorry that he had to end Serena’s peaceful bliss so soon. He glanced at her, still engrossed in the game, and wondered how he would break the news to her.