The Five Year Itch (Sera and Julian) novel Chapter 12

12 

This was the seventh month since Sera, and she received a call from a friend back home. She’d built a comfortable life with the money from Julian’s shares. She bought a building on a bustling street. The top three floors were her private space; the first floor housed a flower shop, and the second a small boutique. Her days were spent tending her plants, sipping coffee, and reading the 

newspaper. 

She took a sip of coffee, wrinkling her nose. It was a bit bitter. She set the cup down and answered her friend’s call. 

After pleasantries, the conversation turned to Julian and Chloe. After she left, Julian broke up with Chloe brutally. Chloe miscarried, and was beaten up by Sera’s aunt and uncle. The Stones tried to cover it all up, but it was too late. The news had spread like wildfire. 

The scandal had enormous consequences. Julian’s grandfather stripped Julian of his CEO position and asked to reclaim his shares. The Stones only then discovered that Julian had transferred his shares to Sera, who sold them all to their rivals. The Stones had to repurchase the shares at a massively inflated price, suffering billions in losses and a significant blow to their reputation. If it weren’t for his mother’s pleas, Julian would have been kicked out of the family. She even gave him some of her shares. 

Julian became an alcoholic, drinking heavily while clutching Sera’s photos. Chloe, ostracized by her family and fired by her boss, had lost all means of support and decided to go to Julian. Julian,‘ however, was done with her; the Stones wouldn’t accept her, either. Desperate, she climbed onto the hospital rooftop, demanding money. The Stones didn’t care, and it was Julian who paid her off. In return, Chloe attempted to drug him, but this time it didn’t work. Instead, he had her arrested. 

Sera remained unmoved. Julian and Chloe were strangers to her now. 

After a brief chat, she hung up, stretched, and headed to her room. 

The next day, Sera went to the opera with new friends. The tragic love story moved many in the audience to tears. But Sera, having experienced far greater heartache, felt nothing. The lovers, despite war and family conflicts, reunited after the separation and grew old together. Sera had fallen deeply in love and shared years of intimacy with her husband, only to be betrayed. Her marriage had ended tragically, forever shattering her belief in love. 

Later, at dinner, a handsome, blonde man asked her out. She reacted with coldness. Charming as he was, she refused him. He pressed her for a reason. 

She paused, then smiled faintly.“I don’t want a relationship, and I’ll never marry again.” 

Frustrated, he left with flowers in hand. 

Her friends reacted with surprise. 

“Sera, what a pity! You rejected such a great guy?”