Chapter 128
The Truth Alice Kept.
Last night, Nathaniel had pretended to sleep. After an hour of lying on the comforter, he sat up to stare at Serena.
Honestly, he never expected her to allow him to rest in her room.
But she did.
To him, it meant that she still cared. Even if it was only for the kids’ sake, he was elated.
Nathaniel studied her for a while, but no matter how close he was to her now, he couldn’t find himself contented.
He brushed back a strand of her brown hair and traced her delicate face with his knuckles.
Serena was breathtakingly beautiful.
What he loved most about her was her kind heart. How else would he have been spared her indifference, or her family’s wrath, if not for her consideration?
“Serena,” he muttered softly. “I won’t give up until you take me back p>
He ran his fingers through her hair and said, “So soft p>
He let his thumb caress her cheek. “So beautiful p>
Nathaniel badly wanted to lie next to her and hold her.
For four long years, he missed her so much that the only thing he was able to hold
on to was the pillow Serena used to lie on at night in their marital home.
Then, he remembered something.
‘I could lie down next to her,’ Nathaniel mused.
Serena could sleep through a storm and wouldn’t be bothered. Nathaniel even recalled how he once carried her out in the rain and into their villa, and she was still knocked out.
‘But she might wake up without me noticing, and I’d be dead,’ he told himself.
A great idea popped into his head.
If he were to take Serena to lie down with him, then the blame would be on her. He would be safe!
It was flawless logic.
So, Nathaniel did exactly that.
With all the caution of a man handling a bomb, he carefully lifted Serena off the bed and gently settled her on the floor beside him. He adjusted the comforter. Positioned her head on his arm. Made sure she was comfortable.
He smiled to himself with a bit of guilt.
“My dear wife,” he murmured painfully, “if someone ever tried to kidnap you, it would be terrifyingly easy p>
Then he rested his head close to Serena’s, utterly convinced he had committed the perfect crime.
At first, he just watched her, appreciating her angelic face.
Then, he felt the ache.
Four long years of not having her by his side wounded him deeply. More than regret, even moments meant for rest or enjoyment felt hollow.
His heart felt so heavy that he clenched his hand against his chest, but only for a second. Then, he embraced her lightly.
Not for long, but enough to fill the yearning in his heart.
Suddenly the past came rushing back.
The choices he made.
Their separation.
All the hurtful things he had said to her.
He also pictured the hardship she had been through while navigating her way to find the Vanders.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Nathaniel said, his voice breaking in and out.
Others may think it was best to walk away, knowing he no longer deserved her forgiveness. But avoidance offered no healing. Only by facing his mistakes could he forgive himself, whatever the outcome.
Tears welled in his eyes.
“Hmmm.” When Serena hummed and turned to the other side, he let her be.
Nathaniel sniffed the tears that had threatened to fall and kissed her head. “Good night, Serena p>
Finally, he allowed himself to sleep. It was one of those rare nights when he rested deeply, his heart calm.
By morning, Nathaniel was in high spirits.
He had breakfast with the kids and swam with them at the backyard pool. When Serena finally awoke and joined them for a swim, he even took the chance to get closer to her.
More than just the touch and the hold, the moment was filled with fun and laughter. It felt like he was closer to getting his family back.
The warmth of the morning slowly faded when Serena brought Nathaniel to the Hartleys’ new home.
There, he met Xavier Dorian, but that wasn’t the worst part. What truly shocked him was the truth that Alice kept.
“Nathan, I have something to tell you,” Alice said.
She looked better now. Alice seemed happier. Perhaps the environment in Rexam was good for her.
They were all seated in the living room, including Alice’s parents. Landon was there too. Serena sat beside him, while Xavier stood behind Alice, mildly glaring at Nathaniel.
Nathaniel did not mind. He and Xavier never got along. Xavier had reasons to dislike him, and Nathaniel also disliked the fact that he had romantic feelings for Serena.
“What is it?” Nathaniel said. “You can tell me anything, Alice p>
“Nathan, I want you to know that my family and have always been thankful for your help Alice said, looking down. “But you must understand, your connections to the Holts hindered me from completely trusting you p>
Nathaniel frowned. He leaned closer and asked, “What do you mean, Alice p>
“It’s been four years since you found me and put my family and me under protective service. Two years into my recovery, the truth was, I eventually regained all my memories,” Alice began.
“I don’t know how best to explain it, but I think that because I had been in a coma for nearly a year, when I woke up my mind was still trapped in survival mode What I experienced wasn’t true amnesia; it was @trauma response p>
“You were there, you also knew. The
memories returned slowly once my
condition stabilized. But what I did not tell you was that… I had
remembered Serena and that regained all my memories,” Alice
revealed. “I chose to keep quiet, not only for my protection, but for Serena’s p>
Nathaniel’s body stiffened. He felt completely betrayed.
His jaw clenched as he asked, “Why p>
What he heard next ignited something violent in him.