Page 131 of Set me Free

She shook her head, her gaze sweeping over the house. "No... just unexpected."

The realtor, Marlon, was already waiting at the front door when we stepped out. "Mr. Langston," Marlon greeted me with a handshake, then turned to Serenity, his eyes widening slightly. "And Ms. Bradshaw, what a pleasure. My wife and I love your show."

Serenity smiled. "Thank you. I appreciate that."

Marlon opened the double front doors, stepping aside. "Come on in. Let me show you around."

The moment we stepped inside, I knew this was it.

A grand foyer greeted us, boasting soaring ceilings with an elaborate chandelier hanging down the center. A curved staircase led to the second floor, its iron railing sleek and polished. The floors were Italian marble, stretching all the way into the open-concept living room just ahead.

Serenity took a slow step forward, her gaze drinking everything in. "Damn, Creed. This house is ridiculous."

Marlon chuckled. "Wait until you see the rest."

We followed him into the living room—a huge space with tall, floor-to-ceiling windows that flooded the space with natural light. There was a grand stone fireplace, built-in shelving, and an open view of the resort-style backyard.

The kitchen was a chef’s dream. Spacious, with custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, and a massive island in the center. State-of-the-art appliances, a walk-in pantry, and a temperature-controlled wine room sealed the deal.

"This kitchen is insane," Serenity murmured, running her fingers along the counters. "Not that you'll ever use it, unless you’re making your cup noodle special."

I smirked. "You right. But my chef will."

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the small smile she tried to hide.

Marlon led us upstairs, down a hallway that stretched past multiple bedrooms before stopping in front of a set of double doors. "And this is the master suite," he announced.

He pushed the doors open, revealing the massive bedroom inside.

A king-sized bed could fit three times over in the space. A built-in fireplace sat against one wall, while glass doors led to a private balcony overlooking the backyard.

Serenity stepped in, turning in a slow circle. "Wow, this is beautiful."

"You like it?" I asked.

She nodded, moving toward the walk-in closet. "This closet a dream. Do you know what I could do with this space? Hell maybe I should buy this house instead."

Marlon chuckled. "And the master bathroom is one of my favorite features."

We followed him through the en-suite, which had a freestanding soaking tub, a spa-like shower, and dual vanities with backlit mirrors.

I turned to Serenity. “So? What do you think?”

She turned to me, brows raised. “Why does my opinion matter?”

I frowned. “What you mean?”

She shrugged. "It’s your house, Creed. It’s not like I’ll be living here."

Her words shouldn’t have stung, but they did. I scratched my jaw, looking away. "I just—your opinion matters. That’s all."

She studied me for a second, but didn’t push. "Well… I think it’s beautiful," she finally said. "It’s a great home for you. And the kids. And whoever else you end up living with."

The way she said it made something in my chest tighten. She wasn’t imagining herself in this house with me, like I had. That fucking sucked.

Marlon, sensing the shift in energy, cleared his throat. "Let's check out the rest of the house, shall we?"

The basement had everything I could ask for—a man cave, a home theater, a gym, and an extra bedroom that could be used as a guest suite. The backyard was just as impressive. A massive pool with a waterfall feature. An outdoor kitchen and dining area. A private basketball court.

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