Serena’s POV Tears spilled from my eyes and the door suddenly opened to reveal my mother. I stared up at her to see fury surging through her. Suddenly, she whirled around to leave when she collided with Dad. “Why are you rushing around like that?” He barked at her, his irritation evident. “Can't you see?” She pointed back at me. “Liza must've bullied Serena! Look at her, crying her heart out!” I shook my head weakly, my eyes red as more tears continued to glow. “Mom, no…it's not like that. She didn't bully me. I'm just too upset.” I had to tell them the truth. If I didn't, Liza would. I couldn't risk letting that video get to the public. It will ruin my carefully constructed reputation. If I told them the truth, Brandon wouldn't be so mad at me. I pushed myself off the bed, my legs wobbling as I knelt on the floor in front of Mom and Dad. They both froze, obviously shocked at my action. “Serena, what are you doing?” Dad demanded with a tone of concern. I couldn't help the flow of tears down my face as I looked up at them, hoping I'd be forgiven. My voice trembled. “I'm sorry, Mom and Dad. I….I…lied to you.” I shut my eyes, expecting some reaction from them but they were both silent. Just then, the door creaked opened and I glanced up to see Brandon walked in with a frown on his face. When his gaze landed on me on the floor kneeling, his frown deepened and his eyes widened. “Serena, why are you out of bed? You've just had surgery! Get up immediately!” He stepped forward to lift me up as he scolded me. Mom and Dad finally jerked back to reality.“Yes, Serena. Get off the floor first. What's wrong with you all of a sudden?” Dad questioned. I shook my head and clutched Brandon's hands. “Brandon, I deserve to kneel. Let me.” My parents exchanged baffled glances but I was determined. I let more tears roll, soaking the fabric of my gown as I summoned the word to spill. “Brandon, I'm so…sorry but I was never….preg…pregnant. It was all a lie.” The room fell into a stunned silence. Mom was the first to speak. “What did you just say?” Her voice was shaking. “Serena, what are you talking about? Didn't you just undergo a surgery? I don't understand what you're saying.” I bit my lips hard and avoided their bewildered stares. Admitting the truth was like dragging a heavy metal from my chest but I had no choice. Liza left no room for negotiation. All the evidence Liza had confronted me with were too much. Liza had also shown me a video from the operating room where I was lying comfortably on the table, casually scrolling through my phone, instead of sleeping from the sedation of a supposed miscarriage. Liza had made me confess to all my atrocities and I was sure she also had evidence of that. “Mom, Dad,” I began again, my voice quivering. “I wasn't pregnant. I faked it all. I never was pregnant and Liza didn't push me. She didn't even touch me. I only made it look like she did.” I glanced at Brandon whose expression darkened with each word. “Brandon,” I continued, my voice still a trembling mess. I have no idea how he'd react. “Are you disappointed in me? I know what I did was terrible but I didn't know what else to do. You and I were together first. I've been with you for years. Why did I have to suddenly give you up when my sister came back? I was willing to step aside as the Sinclair family's eldest daughter and even let her take my place with Mom and Dad, but I couldn't bear to lose you. I just couldn't…”I paused and gulped down several times. The silence in the room was defeaning and frightening. “I admit I was selfish. I used lies about a pregnancy and miscarriage to make you feel guilty and keep you from being with her. I know I was wrong but I couldn't let go. I can't…” I trailed off again. I crawled closer to Brandon and clutched the hem of his shirt again with desperation. “I know I'm not a good person and I don't deserve your forgiveness but I love you, Brandon. I love you so much that I can't let you go!” Brandon stood frozen, staring down at me, utterly speechless. All of a sudden, he thundered looking furious. “How dare you, Serena?” I began to cry all over again. “How could you be so selfish? You lied? You were never pregnant? And there was no miscarriage?!” He sounded like what I just spilled was hard to believe. Dad stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. His expression was one of both regret and concern. “Brandon, this whole situation is Serena’s fault but I want us to believe it is because she cares about you so deeply. She loves you so much that she lost her way. It's also my fault. I didn't guide her properly or explain that she would always have her place in the family, no matter what. If I had been clearer, maybe she wouldn't have felt so desperate.” There was another moment of silence before Brandon said softly. “It's fine.” I didn't stop crying. I didn't stop the tears from flowing either. That was the only way to win their sympathy. My mom was still silence. She must still be in shock for not letting her know I was never pregnant. All of a sudden, I felt a touch and I jerked my head upright to see Brandon pulling me to my feet gently. He wiped the tears from my cheek with a soft, almost mechanical motion. “It's not your fault entirely. If I had been clearer about my feelings, I'm sure you wouldn't have resorted to this to keep me by your side.”My eyes shimmered with gratitude. “Brandon…” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. “Serena,” Dad called to me, his brow raised in suspicion. “Did Liza say something to you?” Even though I was caught off-guard, I knew what he meant. He was asking if Liza had done something to trigger me to confess. I hesitated before nodding my head in embarrassment. “Liza has evidence. A video of me bribing the doctor and everything that happened in the operating room.” Gasps filled the air. I gripped Brandon’s hands tightly, panic shooting down my veins. “Brandon, what should I do? If Liza releases that video, it won't just ruin me–it’ll hurt the Sinclair Corporation and even damage your family’s reputation. This is all my fault! Why was I so stupid to lie about being pregnant?” My heart was pounding with fear. Now that they all knew the truth, I needed to tell them everything so we could find a way together. I didn't trust Liza. Brandon’s brows furrowed deeply. The consequences of this mess extended beyond my personal embarrassment, it could tarnish both the Sinclair and Stone’s families' reputation if not being handled carefully. “Are you certain all the evidence is on Liza’s phone?” He asked firmly, gripping my shoulders to emphasize the importance of my answer. I nodded. “Yes, the videos were on her phone and I know she doesn't use a computer much. I think everything is saved on her phone.” Brandon looked relieved as he exhaled slowly. “Alright, leave this to me. I'll handle it.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. I watched him dial a contact and I peered forward to see he was calling a skilled hacker.