Rumors, Rings, and Old Promises
Serena learned two things that morning.
First—rumors had a life span longer than logic.
Second—Lucien Reed enjoyed every second of it.
She'd barely stepped onto campus when her phone vibrated nonstop.
She didn't need to open it.
She already knew.
Lucien leaned casually against her locker, arms folded, red hair a deliberate mess, smile bright enough to ruin her day.
"Well," he said cheerfully, "good morning, fiancée."
Her locker door slammed shut.
"Don't call me that."
He gasped. Loudly. "Wow. After everything we've been through? The betrayal."
She walked past him.
He followed.
CampusNet — Trending Feed
@CourtSideQueen:
THE WAY LUCIEN DRANK FROM SERENA BLAKE'S BOTTLE??? THAT'S MARRIAGE BEHAVIOR 😭🔥
@AnonymousGuy34:
Ice Queen finally melted huh. Guess money + looks win.
@ValeCassandra:
Some people mistake coincidence for destiny. Just saying.
@LucienFanPage:
He chose HER. Cry about it.
@EliteWatch:
Two billionaire families. Childhood promise. UK rumors resurfacing.
👀👀👀
Serena muted the app.
Lucien peeked over her shoulder anyway. "Wow. We're famous."
"We're not anything," she said flatly.
He leaned in, voice dropping. "Then why does it bother you so much, Elise?"
She stopped walking.
Slowly, she turned to him. "You're enjoying this."
"Of course I am," he said easily. "For once, everyone knows you're not made of ice."
She scoffed. "You're using the rumors."
"Correction," he said, stepping closer, backing her gently toward the wall. "I'm letting them work in my favor."
Her back hit the cool surface.
Lucien braced one arm beside her head—not trapping, just… present.
"You don't deny it," he murmured. "You don't confirm it. You just let them assume."
Her heart betrayed her with a single, stupid beat.
"I don't owe anyone an explanation."
"I know," he said softly. "That's what I love about you."
She looked away.
He smiled.
Victory—small, but sweet.
By lunchtime, Lucien was unbearable.
He sat closer than necessary. Stole bites of her food. Rested his chin on his palm and watched her like she was the most interesting thing in the room.
"Stop staring," she muttered.
"Can't," he replied. "Rumors say I'm obsessed."
"You're childish."
"Engaged since seven," he reminded her lightly. "That gives me seniority."
She glared. "That was a childhood promise."
He tilted his head. "One our parents notarized."
She froze.
"What?"
Lucien straightened. "You didn't know?"
Her phone vibrated.
Once.
Twice.
Then a call came through.
Mother.
Serena answered slowly. "Yes?"
Margret Blake's voice was calm. Too calm. "Serena, darling. Your father and I will be home early tonight. We need to talk."
Her stomach dropped.
"About…?" Serena asked carefully.
There was a pause.
"About your engagement."
Lucien watched her face change.
His teasing smile faded.
That evening, the Blake living room felt heavier than usual.
Richard Blake sat composed, hands folded. Margret beside him, elegant and unreadable.
Lucien sat across from Serena—no jokes, no smirk. Just quiet attention.
Evie, predictably, looked thrilled.
"So," Margret began, "the rumors have reached investors."
Serena stiffened. "It's just school gossip."
Richard shook his head. "Lucien Reed returning reignited old interest. The engagement contract was never dissolved."
Lucien spoke carefully. "Because my parents' divorce suspended it."
"But did not erase it," Margret said.
Serena clenched her hands. "You never told the public."
"We were protecting you," her mother replied gently. "Lucien leaving so suddenly… the timing wasn't kind."
Lucien looked at Serena then—really looked.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't know how sick you got. If I had—"
She cut him off. "It doesn't matter."
But it did.
Richard cleared his throat. "Now that Lucien is back, expectations have returned."
"What expectations?" Serena asked.
Margret met her eyes. "That you'll consider honoring what was promised."
Silence fell.
Evie squeaked, "Does this mean wedding magazines??"
Serena ignored her.
Lucien stood. "Let me be clear," he said evenly. "I won't force Serena into anything. The promise was mutual—or it means nothing."
Serena looked at him, startled.
He turned to her, softer now. "But I won't pretend I didn't come back hoping we'd get another chance."
Her chest tightened.
That night, Serena lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
Rumors outside.
Contracts inside.
And Lucien Reed—back where he'd left a seven-year-old girl waiting.
She didn't know when she'd stopped being Elise.
But she knew one thing.
Lucien wasn't teasing anymore.
And that scared her more than the rumors ever could.