Hearing this, Serena paused for a moment, looking at Owen with disbelief. Then she glanced up at the fading sunset, the remaining glow dimming as the lights inside the old house gradually turned on. She squinted in the direction of the light and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Did the sun rise from the west today?"

She glanced at Owen again, a faint smile on her lips. "Is Mr. Lancaster feeling guilty, or is this just a false act?"

After the hurt, now ...