Chapter 107
Hartleys Meet the Vanders.
“Nathan tried flying specialists over to Westfield, but none of them stayed long,” Lena Hartley explained. “I don’t blame Nathan. He did the best, but Westfield just wasn’t that accessible p>
“We’ll connect Alice with the best doctors and therapists,” Sterling offered. “Considering that Alice is almost walking without support, I’m confident she’ll do much better in the coming months p>
Serena was seated beside Alice. She squeezed her hand and said, “Alice, I’ll be with you through and through. I won’t stop until you have your life back and can walk properly again. Now that you’re in Rexam, let’s focus on your treatments p>
Alice’s eyes welled up again. She hugged Serena tightly and said, “Thank you, Serena. I love you. I’ve missed you so much p>
Yes, Alice had already been honest with her family about how her memories returned later in her recovery. She was told it had been an emotional confession, but one that the Hartleys understood completely.
“We’ll pay you back once our properties in Velmon are sold,” Brandon Hartley said. “Including this house. We planned to use the money we saved while working in Westfield to start a bakery p>
“There’s no need,” Sterling replied. “And we insist that you accept this house as a gift p>
“My son, Silas, can help you find a commercial space for the bakery,” Sterling added, steering the conversation elsewhere.
“Yes, we have clients in commercial real estate,” Silas said. “There are spaces readily available. Only minor renovations will be needed, and you can start the bakery right away p>
Back in Westfield, while Alice’s father worked for the local government, Lena had run a small bakery that became their primary source of income.
“I’d like to apply for a job on my own merits, if that’s okay,” Landon suggested. “There are things I really want to try for myself p>
“And Alice, if you’d like, you can work for us,” Serena presented. “We have several home-based researcher positions at the company. That way, you won’t get bored while waiting between treatments p>
Silas nodded in agreement.
“I would love that,” Alice declared. “Call me petty, but I’d like to stick to you like glue p>
“Why glue?” Sebastian asked, which prompted another round of laughter amid an otherwise serious conversation.
The first part of the Vanders’ meeting with the Hartleys was spent getting to know one another, all while sharing an early dinner.
Naturally, the conversation turned to the Hartleys’ life under witness protection. It was an intense discussion, one that stirred anger toward Victor and the Holts, but eventually, they moved past it, giving way to hope.
Serena’s family looked forward to helping the Hartleys rebuild and live without constantly looking over their shoulders. Sterling also promised to request additional police protection, in case the Holts still had influence beyond their current confinement.
Around seven in the evening, they decided to call it a day.
The twins had been yawning repeatedly, so everyone said their goodbyes.
“Thank you, Celine. Thank you, Sterling. We’re really loving this move to Rexam,” Lena said warmly. “We hope we can be good friends p>
Celine shook Lena’s hand and laughed. “We already are. Any friend of my daughter is a friend of mine p>
“Nice chatting with you, Bernard. I’d love to hear more about your political ideas sometime,” Silas said, shaking Bernard Hartley’s hand.
Silas went on to shake hands with everyone in Alice’s family.
“I want to see your house,” Alice beamed.
“Me too!” Landon chimed in.
“Then let’s go,” Serena said.
They returned to the Vanders’ estate using Sterling and Silas’s vehicle. Alice insisted
on helping put the kids to bed. They tucked Sebastian in first, then moved on to Alisa.
“I can’t believe you named her after me. I feel so honored,” Alice said softly as she watched Alisa. “She’s so cute, but… she doesn’t talk much p>
Serena smiled and leaned back. “She has mild autism, Alice. She isn’t very good at expressing herself. But p>
“But what?” Alice prompted.
Serena frowned slightly and
admitted, “She talks more with
Nathan. It’s not that she doesn’t talk
to us but Nathan she trusts him so easily don’t know how or i know how or
When it
happened, but he has a way of
encouraging her to speak.
Alice’s mouth rounded. “Nathan p>
“And he said he wants to get back with you?” Alice asked.
Serena nodded. “That’s what he said p>
There was a brief silence before Alice stood, using her cane. Serena helped her settle into one of Alisa’s chairs.
“Well, he always told me he regretted everything,” Alice muttered. She opened her mouth, then closed it again.
“Don’t say it,” Serena warned.
“I’m not. I’m not,” Alice said with a small laugh. Although Nathan has helped my family tremendously, I’l remain skeptical until I see it with my own eyes. Even if he had the Holts investigated, I want to see how he follows through p>
“We can talk more about it tomorrow. You must be tired,” Serena suggested.
“No, I’m not tired. I miss my best friend,” Alice answered, pouting. “Give me a grand
tour of your ridiculously rich neighborhood! Landon’s dying to see the entire community. Besides, I could use my daily exercise walk p>
Serena laughed. “Let’s go p>
Over the next half hour, Serena walked Landon and Alice around the vicinity, introducing them to some homeowners and pointing out others by name. Milo followed closely, keeping watch.
“This neighborhood is amazing,” Alice said. “Everyone’s so friendly, and the greenery is beautiful. I think I’d naturally heal here p>
They stopped at the gates across from the Vanders’ estate.
“This house belongs to the Calderons,” Serena said. “They’re a really nice family. They have six kids, and p>
“Is that a playground on their lawn?” Landon asked, peering through the iron gates. “It’s huge p>
“Yes,” Serena laughed. “The kids loved going to playrooms, but the Calderon couple got tired of taking them to play. I mean, I would too p>
“If I had six kids, I would,” Alice agreed, chuckling.
Just then, the gates to the Calderon estate opened. A moving truck drove out,
followed by a BMW that slowed to a stop in front of Serena.
“Oh, Serena. You’re back,” Mrs. Calderon greeted warmly.
“Hi, Aunt Serena!” three children inside the car called out.
Serena glanced into the estate and noticed more moving trucks. “Mrs. Calderon p>
are you moving p>
“Yes, we are,” Mrs. Calderon replied. “To a bigger, better home p>
“But—” Serena frowned. “Didn’t you just have the kids’ playground built p>
“I know,” Mrs. Calderon sighed. “But
a crazy big shot billionaire bought our house for twice its market price On top of that, his lawyer helped us find a home in the highlands, fully ready for occupancy. We just need to rebuild the playground p>
“So, you’ll have a new neighbor,” Mrs. Calderon said with a pout. “We’ll miss you—
and the kids. Bye, Serena p>
Serena and her companions watched as the moving trucks and cars drove away.
When the street finally quieted, she murmured, “A new neighbor? I hope they’re a nice family p>
Well, Serena did not have to wait long. Their new neighbor moved in less than two weeks after.