"Hello?" Charlton said, his voice a bit husky from just waking up.

Serena furrowed her brows. Why was his voice like that? Did he just wake up? Or did he engage in some activity with another woman thus his voice was husky? Why did he not answer her call the first time?

"Hello?" Charlton repeated when he did not hear Edward speak.

"Charlton. It's me." Serena finally said.

Charlton was suddenly more alert and awake. He was happy she called, but then, he remembered what happened and he again felt ashamed of himself. Not knowing what to say, there was a moment of silence between them.

"Charlton?" Serena asked. Why was he not answering? What if he doesn't want to talk to her anymore? What if he knew what she did last night? No. She just did what she needed to do. She did nothing wrong. But what about Charlton? Maybe he was seeing that woman behind her back. 

"Serena… I'm sorry…" he said. He doesn't know what to say except that he was sorry for last night.

Serena felt tears prickling her eyes. Why was he apologizing? Was her assumptions correct? Did he engage with an illicit relationship with another woman behind her back? He danced with Annalys last night instead of meeting her right away. Did he like her more? she was younger than her and also very pretty. She's also a daughter of a duke and she doesn't even have a fiance yet. Then she became angry. How dare he? After impregnating her he would just leave her. No. that can't be the case. Charlton loves her. Shaking her head, she chose to talk about another issue.

"Were you hiding from me that's why you did not answer my call earlier? Why did you answer right away when I said I'm Edward instead?" 

Charlton was surprised. Did she call earlier? "You called earlier?"

"Yes. A woman answered. Who's that?"

"It's Lydia. She's a servant from our estate in Suffox and…."

"Why do you know her name specifically? And why do you call her by her name?"

Charlton furrowed his brows. What's wrong with Serena? "Serena, is there something wrong?"

"What's wrong? You tell me what's wrong? Don't you know that she has been very rude to me? I want you to fire her right away. She must be wanting to climb your bed. I don't like women working for you anymore."

Was Serena playing her jealous self again? Was she playing a trick on him? Charlton chuckled. 

Serena heard him chuckling. Was he making fun of her? Was he thinking that why would he do that? He was still single. Was that the reason why he did not want to run away with her before and just prolonging asking for her hand? 

"If you don't do as I tell you, I'm breaking up with you." Serena said. 

"What? Serena, you can't be serious, Lydia is a servant already in her 40's. What did she tell you that got you so irked?" he asked concerned.

Serena blushed from the other line. Oh, so she's an old lady? Was Charlton saying the truth? She sounded young. "Oh… I'm just fooling around. So… why did you not answer earlier? Also, why haven't you tried calling me the whole day?"

Charlton breathed a sigh of relief. "I just woke up. Sorry if I wasn't able to call you. So… what happened after you arrived home last night?" he asked, thinking that there's no other way around but to talk about it. 

Serena felt a lump in her throat. What if Charlton already knew? What if Geoffrey told him? They were still cousins. No, Geoffrey would never tell him that. He has always been a gentleman to her. He won't tell anyone her secrets. It's a private matter. But what if he tells Charlton when Charlton asks for her hand? No, Charlton can't find out. What if he even starts thinking that the baby in her womb isn't his? 

"He left right after sending me back…"

Charlton had nothing to say so he just said, "I see…"

Serena started crying again. What I see? Did he know that she's lying? "Charlton… last night what you saw him doing to me… I mean, I thought he was you…" she confessed.

"Yes, I gathered as much… Serena, I'm sorry about that… and…" Charlton said as he closed his eyes. He wants to move now. He wants to ask for her hand now. But what if everything messes up? He was so dedicated to plan A that he hasn't had the chance to develop plan B. Even if he wanted to change gears, it would take at least a few months.

"Why did you choose to dance with Annalys first? Why did you not come to the labyrinth first? Do you like her more than me? Are you choosing her over me?" she finally asked. She knew that it was actually better because if he did, Geoffrey may have caught them. But it's one of the many questions bothering her the whole time. 

Charlton furrowed his brows. What was Serena thinking? How could he ever think of anyone else other than her? "Listen, Serena. I did not mean to dance with her first. I wanted to go there right away but I have signed my name in her dance card and as I tried to leave the ballroom, she followed me and demanded that I claim the dance. Geoffrey was there. He was the one who even reminded me to be a gentleman and dance with her."

"So, you want me to ask Geoffrey if what you're saying is true?" 

"What? No. Serena, what I meant to say is that I would never leave you waiting for no reason. And… are you crying?" Charlton explained. 

Serena sniffed as she wiped her tears. "No."

"What happened Serena? I know you. You're not like this. Did Geoffrey do anything to you?" he asked as he clenched his fist.

"No... he did nothing. I'm just being… because I think… Charlton... I think I'm pregnant."

--

TBC

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