Chapter 58
**Chapter 58: I Don’t Want Revenge p>
**I Don’t Want Revenge p>
Fifteen years had passed since that fateful day.
“Sterling, listen,” Celine’s voice crackled through the phone, urgency lacing her words. “The local police in Norfield received a tip about a girl who looks just like Serena. I’m heading there with the driver right now p>
“No, Celine. Please, just wait for me,” Sterling replied, his tone firm yet filled with concern. “I’m in the middle of a business deal here in the capital, but I’ll join you. We need to go together p>
Celine’s heart raced, her thoughts a whirlwind of anxiety. “But what if it’s really her, Sterling?” she pleaded, her breath hitching. “I’ve heard the conditions in Norfield are alarming. There are thugs roaming the streets… drug dealers lurking in every corner. I can’t just sit here. I have to go! I’ll meet you in Norfield p>
“Celine, please,” Sterling insisted, his voice rising slightly in desperation. “At least ensure that the local police are escorting you p>
“Of course, Sterling. I wouldn’t dream of going without them,” Celine replied, her resolve hardening as she swiftly grabbed her bag, determination fueling her every
move.
Norfield City had no airport, a fact that added to Celine’s frustration. They flew into Velmon City and then endured a grueling three-hour drive over bumpy roads that seemed to stretch on endlessly. By the time they finally reached Norfield, the sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows across the streets.
To her dismay, the officer responsible for missing persons had already clocked out for the day. Instead, a young, recently assigned officer, who appeared uncertain and inexperienced, was sent to accompany Celine and her driver.
As they navigated through a narrow neighborhood, Celine felt the weight of many eyes upon her. The locals watched curiously, their gazes lingering on the police car, on her designer clothes, and the way she carried herself with a mix of hope and trepidation. An elderly woman stepped forward, claiming she had seen a girl who bore a resemblance to Serena.
Celine’s heart quickened, each beat echoing in her ears as she followed the woman, hope igniting within her despite the years of heartache that had come before.
The girl they were shown had some similarities to Serena; her hair was akin to Serena’s, and her skin was just as fair. But as soon as Celine met the child’s eyes, a heavy wave of despair crashed over her. This girl was older. The spark in her gaze was entirely different. And those eyes-definitely not hazel.
Celine stood frozen, her heart sinking as the painful truth settled in.
This wasn’t Serena.
The old woman crossed her arms, a blunt expression on her face. “Well, information is information. The news said you’d still give a reward p>
The words felt like a slap across her face, stinging with the harshness of reality.
Celine fought to maintain her composure, yet her hands quivered with suppressed emotion. This was not a new experience; it had happened too many times over the years-false leads, exaggerated claims, and outright fabrications.
Some people were genuinely mistaken, but others were not.
They saw grieving wealthy parents.
They saw desperation.
They saw money.
And they exploited it.
As Celine and her escort turned to leave, the fragile hope she had clung to so tightly shattered once more, leaving her feeling utterly drained, the ache in her chest deeper than before.
Before they could reach the police car, a group of thugs began to trail behind them, their voices dripping with malice.
“Looks like a pretty rich lady,” one sneered.
“Her dress alone could buy a house,” another chimed in.
“Step away,” the police officer warned, his voice firm. Celine’s driver echoed the command, his eyes darting nervously.
“Hey, lady! Can you spare some cash?” one of the thugs called out, a predatory gleam in his eye.
Celine’s heart raced as she and her party quickened their pace, but the thugs only multiplied, their numbers swelling ominously. Suddenly, chaos erupted as another group of hooligans attacked the first, fists flying in a flurry of violence.
The police officer, momentarily distracted by the commotion, shouted, “Run, madame, run p>
Celine’s driver became ensnared in the fray, and panic surged through her as two men broke away, sprinting after her.
“Help!” Celine screamed, her pulse pounding in her ears as she frantically searched for a place to hide.
In an unexpected twist of fate, a teenager appeared from nowhere, grabbing her and pulling her into a pile of leaves.
“Shhh. Stay quiet, ma’am,” he whispered urgently, covering her with leaves and debris, ensuring she was hidden from view while leaving just enough space for her to breathe.
Celine could hear the harsh footsteps of the men nearby, their breaths heavy with exertion.
“Where is she?” one demanded.
“Hey, you! Young man! Did you see a rich-looking lady pass by?” another called out. “Ah, yeah. I think she went that way,” the teenager replied, pointing in the opposite direction with a calmness that belied the tension of the moment.
The men ran off, and Celine felt a wave of relief wash over her.
Not long after, her driver appeared, bruised and shaken, with the police officer back
in the car, looking equally rattled.
“Madame, we need to leave now,” the driver urged, his voice urgent.
Before climbing into the car, Celine turned to the young man who had saved her. “What’s your name?” she asked, gratitude spilling from her heart.
“Nat—uh, I mean, Nathan,” he stammered, scratching his head. “Out here, they call me Nathan p>
“Thank you,” Celine said sincerely, her heart swelling with appreciation.
As they drove away, Celine glanced back and her stomach dropped. She saw two thugs returning, cornering Nathan, their voices raised in anger. Her heart raced as she watched helplessly horror gripping her as they shoved him down and began to beat him for lying.
“Oh my God! We have to go back!” Celine cried, panic rising in her chest.
“Backup is on the way, ma’am,” the police officer said regretfully. “We can’t. There are too many of them p>
Celine didn’t return to the neighborhood until the following day, and this time, Sterling was with her, accompanied by his assistant.
They quickly learned that the young man named Nathan had been hospitalized. Celine’s heart sank further when they discovered that his mother had been in and out of the hospital since suffering a stroke two years earlier.
The night before, Nathan had been working for an elderly man, mowing his lawn to earn money for his mother’s medical bills.
Sterling and Celine were deeply moved by his story. They covered Nathan’s hospital expenses, arranged for his mother’s treatment, and even assisted his uncle in securing a bank loan to start a pharmacy business.
Fast forward to the present.
“That’s how your mother and I met Nathan when he was just twelve years old Sterling revealed to Serena, his voice tinged with
vel
nostalgia. “Most of the arrangements were handled by my former assistant. He probably doesn’t remember us he was unconscious when we visited him in
the hospital. We left town shortly after finding Nathan p>
“But we-” Sterling hesitated, his gaze drifting to the floor. “Serena, I might have inadvertently given Nathaniel and his family the means to rise was through my connections that his uncle secured the loan that started their pharmacy business p>
He reached for Serena’s hand, his expression filled with remorse. “I’m so sorry p>
Serena felt a wave of emotions wash over her. Her father’s guilt was palpable, stemming from the realization that the Thornes’ success was a direct result of his kindness.
It was painfully ironic how a single act of compassion could lead to heartbreak years down the line. But could she truly blame her father for what had unfolded?
“It’s not your fault, Dad,” she said softly, her voice steady. “At the end of the day, this was Victor’s doing. He’s the one who ruined too many lives p>
Serena turned her gaze away, one hand resting protectively on her belly. “I don’t want revenge on Nathan. He’s still the father of my children. Let my disappearance be his punishment. He’ll never see the children or me again p>
“Revenge is a vicious cycle,” Serena murmured quietly. “I want it to end where it’s unnecessary p>
Her jaw tightened as she added, “But as for Victor? I can’t forgive him p>
“Nor can I,” Sterling echoed, his voice heavy with shared pain.