Martin stepped forward, the epitome of contrition.
"This isn't on Serena. It's my fault for not asking the right questions."
Serena's eyes lifted in disbelief, her heart swelling in her chest.
The boy beside her, still standing up for her—even now.
Emotions swirled in her gaze, a cocktail of gratitude and shock.
Her nose tingled, and she was a blink away from tears.
"I'm sorry," Martin said, turning to Romeo with a bow of his head, a gentleman's apology.
"I thought you were being fickle, flaunting your new flame in front of Serena just to hurt her."
At those words, Romeo's brow raised. Flaunting? His and Rose's affection was genuine—no show needed.
"Especially after bumping into you several times today, I assumed you were trying to make Serena feel small.
Plus, I was clueless that Rosemary was a Collins, and that your engagement to her was a given.
Seeing you outside Aunt Eunice's place, I thought you were there to rub it in Serena's face."
