Chapter 33: Always Running into Scumbags and Sluts

"You shouldn't always be thinking about work. You need to rest too." My mom's voice was gentle, full of concern. She knew how seriously I took my job and didn't question the excuse I had just given her. "I know, Mom. I'll take care of myself. Don't worry." I gave her a faint smile, though guilt tugged at me. I hated lying, but the truth would only make her worry more. The surgery was scheduled for the afternoon, so I spent the entire morning in my dad's hospital room, sitting beside him, listening to him talk. His hair had grown even grayer since I last saw him, and seeing it made my chest ache. "Serena, what really happened between you and Julian? Why was the wedding suddenly canceled?" Eventually, my mom pulled me aside and brought up the question I'd been avoiding. When I told them the wedding was off, I had kept the reason vague. I didn't want to upset them, not while my dad's health was hanging in the balance. "It's nothing serious. We just realized we weren't a good match," I sai