Playtime's Over, CEO: She's Really Done With You-Chapter 345: Even If We Part, I Still Hope You’ll Live Well
Disjointed, unfamiliar piano sounds.
The silhouette of a little girl sitting in front of the piano, and the man sitting beside her, patiently teaching her.
The wind gently blows through.
Serena suddenly remembered many years ago, when her father also sat beside her, holding her hand, playing the piano with her.
"Uncle Silas, when do you think I’ll be able to play as well as Aunt Serena?" Seraphina’s tender voice came through.
"You’ve only just started, you need to take it slowly." Silas Hawthorne’s voice carried a smile and warmth, guiding Seraphina in familiarizing herself with the piano, "Haste makes waste."
"Okay..." Seraphina’s voice held some frustration, "I really want to learn quickly, so I can play with Aunt Serena later."
"You little rascal." Silas’s voice was full of doting, "How about I ask Kevin to teach you later, okay? We’ll add another piano lesson in the morning."
"I’m just worried you won’t wake up in the morning." He said with a laugh.
"I can wake up, I can wake up!" Seraphina replied immediately, "Uncle Silas, don’t underestimate me."
The two chatted about everyday things, simple yet blissful.
Serena felt her eyes warming up.
"Miss Sheridan." Mrs. Wyatt noticed Serena as she came out and called out to her.
The pair by the piano, one big and one small, turned their heads to look at her.
"Aunt Serena!"
"Serena."
They called out simultaneously.
Serena smiled, nodded to Mrs. Wyatt, and walked over.
"Playing the piano?" Serena pretended she had just arrived.
"Yeah." Seraphina said with a smile.
"Come here." Serena took Seraphina’s hand, and Silas Hawthorne immediately made room for her.
Serena held Seraphina’s hand, just like her father did beside her many years ago.
She led Seraphina in playing "Flower Dance."
The piano music was melodious, and Silas Hawthorne stood by, lowering his eyes to watch them, a smile in his eyes.
The piece finished.
Applause came from Silas Hawthorne who was standing by and clapping.
"Very beautiful." He said with a smile.
The wind lifted the sheer curtain, his face looking handsome in the afterglow of the sunset.
Beside him, Seraphina was clapping too and exclaimed.
Serena smiled too.
That long-missed feeling of home she always yearned for.
Serena stayed and played with Seraphina a while longer, and ate some snacks Silas had brought back, until nightfall came.
After dinner, Silas said to Serena, "Serena, come to the study for a moment."
Serena saw that Silas wanted to talk about something, so she followed him there.
Silas rolled up a piece of calligraphy, revealing a safe behind it.
Serena looked away as he was about to open the safe, so she wouldn’t see him turning the combination.
"Silly." Silas chuckled, "Watch how I open it, and remember the combination."
Serena was taken aback, not immediately understanding what Silas meant.
But Silas had already started opening the safe, so Serena could only watch.
The safe’s combination was somewhat complex, not a simple keypad, but a series of combinations, indicating the contents were quite important.
"Click!"
The safe opened.
Inside were stacks of documents and some clearly valuable items.
"This..." Serena looked at Silas.
"This is my personal assets." Silas said with a smile, taking some out for Serena to see.
Serena glanced over, noticing the ones he casually took out were properties in some country, or mineral rights in another.
Serena did not take them, she looked at Silas with confusion.
"Tomorrow I’ll have my lawyer come over, and if you have any familiar lawyers, call them too. The lawyer will walk you through my assets, and then transfer them to our joint names."
Silas’s voice came through.
Serena was stunned.
She looked at Silas, bewildered.
When he mentioned the lawyer earlier, she thought it was for a prenuptial agreement.
Just like she had one with Julian Lawson before they married, there was a prenuptial agreement to protect the Lawson Corporation’s interests.
The Hawthorne Group is also one of the top three in Aeston, so it follows the same logic.
However, Silas spoke of transferring the assets to both their names, which meant tying their fortunes together.
If they were to divorce, she would take half of his assets.
No, they were not even married yet.
Although she had accepted his proposal, they hadn’t registered or held a wedding yet.
"Is something wrong?" Silas asked, seeing her expression.
Serena thought for a moment, then carefully spoke, "Silas, isn’t this inappropriate?"
Silas seemed not to understand her, looking puzzled.
"These are your pre-marital possessions..." Serena said.
"Oh, that." Silas said with a smile, "From now on they’ll be ours."
"But if we separate..." Serena said anxiously.
"Will we separate?" Silas asked, looking at Serena seriously.
Looking into Silas’s deep and affectionate eyes, Serena didn’t know how to answer.
"Sigh..."
Silas let out a deep sigh, he put his arm around Serena’s shoulder, holding her face, and kissed her forehead.
"Even if one day we part for some reason," Silas said softly, "I want you to live well, to have some independent wealth, at least to ensure a basic life, right?"
Serena looked up at Silas in front of her, seeing seriousness and concern in his eyes.
She could tell he was not just saying it, but had seriously considered their parting scenario.
Not a rash promise made in passionate times, but rather a willing gesture even if they were to part in the end.
Serena’s eyes became red.
She felt a lump in her throat and couldn’t speak.
"Silly girl." Silas tapped her nose with his finger, "Of course, I want us to be together for our entire lives."
"I’m just afraid..."
Silas didn’t finish the sentence.
But Serena understood what he meant.
Maybe it was meeting Clara Huxley today that reminded her of Silas’s father passing, she immediately understood Silas’s intentions.
He feared he would pass before her.
He also worried that one day she would stop loving him.
Yet even so, he wanted her to live well.
Overwhelmed with emotions, Serena stood on her tiptoes, initiating a kiss on Silas’s lips.
He embraced her tightly, deepening the kiss.
They held each other and kissed for a long time before finally parting.
Serena lowered her head, shyly avoiding Silas’s gaze.
"I’m going to need some time to think about accepting all this." Serena said.
"Alright." Silas’s voice was hoarse, carrying a suppressed desire.
Serena could hear the change in his tone, but this was the study, not the bedroom.
She was still shy.
"By the way." Serena suddenly remembered Clara Huxley, and asked, "Why doesn’t Mrs. Huxley live at the estate?"
Silas scratched his head, looking at Serena, he whispered in her ear, "She’s with her new boyfriend."
