Yet, even in the light of this revelation, a flicker of fear remained.
What if… what if someone had genuinely intended to harm Alice? That would mean the Hartleys were in danger too. And she herself could be at risk.
With this thought, she decided it was perhaps best to keep her fears to herself.
Later that evening, Serena returned to Alice’s apartment, her heart still racing from the day’s events. As entered the building lobby, the concierge approached her with a slight smile. “Miss Kline, a package arrived for you this afternoon.”
Serena’s heart skipped a beat as she accepted the package, her mind racing with possibilities. It was from Grand Mercy Hospital.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and her pulse quickened.
Just yesterday, she had requested that the hospital send her the remaining DNA samples. She had explained her emotional state, how she wasn’t ready to leave her home after the incident with Alice, and the hospital had graciously agreed to send the samples directly to her instead of making her risk her safety.
Once inside the apartment, she carefully opened the package, her hands trembling with anticipation. She confirmed that it contained the DNA samples and items belonging to her father.
Tears of joy threatened to spill as she gazed at the contents. Serena silently prayed that if there truly was another family out there waiting for her, she would finally uncover the truth.
Little did she know that after that night, her life was poised to change in ways she could never have imagined, leaving her breathless and bewildered.
Xavier was the key to this new chapter, and he would arrive just in time to pull her from the brink of a fate that could have been utterly disastrous.
As Serena strolled down the street, her mind was preoccupied with the supplies she had just purchased for her upcoming journey. Yet, as she turned a corner, an unexpected sight caught her eye-a building she hadn’t visited in years loomed before her, its presence stirring a whirlwind of memories within her.
It was the North Crest Recovery & Counseling Center, a place that had once been both a sanctuary and a prison for her.
“Dr. Lin,” she whispered to herself, her heart quickening as she spotted a familiar figure stepping out of a car just ahead. It was none other than her former therapist, Dr. Harper Lin, a Clinical Psychologist who had guided her through some of the darkest moments of her childhood.
Serena’s feet moved almost of their own accord as she parked her car hastily at the roadside and made her way toward the doctor.
“Dr. Lin! Doctor!” she called out, her voice a mix of excitement and trepidation.
Dr. Lin, who appeared to be in her fifties, still exuded an air of grace and professionalism as she managed the family-owned therapy center. Her short, neatly styled black hair had begun to show soft strands of gray, reflecting the wisdom earned through years of experience. The calming almond-shaped eyes that met Serena’s were filled with understanding, creating an atmosphere in which one felt accepted rather than judged.
“Serena,” Dr. Lin replied warmly, her voice laced with genuine surprise. “It has been… what, six or seven years since your last visit?”
Serena’s mind raced back to those years. She had undergone intensive therapy between the ages of eight and nine, followed by annual check-ups until she turned twelve. After that, her visits had dwindled to a few holiday check-ins, where she would bring Dr. Lin a small Christmas gift, a token of gratitude for the help she had received.
“I meant to reach out,” Dr. Lin continued, her expression softening, “but I lost your contact number. Would you like to come inside? We could have a chat.”
“No need,” Serena replied, her voice firm yet gentle. “I just wanted to say hi. I’m in a bit of a rush, actually.”
Dr. Lin sighed, a hint of concern etching her features. “How are you holding up? I heard about your separation. Is it true that you and your husband have parted ways?”
Serena nodded, her heart heavy with unspoken emotions. “It was never real,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
“You didn’t deserve that,” Dr. Lin said, her grip on Serena’s hand tightening slightly, as if to offer comfort.
In that moment, Serena felt a wave of conflicting emotions wash over her. She looked down, avoiding the doctor’s gaze, as memories of her past flooded her mind -memories of pain, resilience, and the slow journey toward healing.
“I know it must be difficult,” Dr. Lin continued, her voice soothing, “but remember those sessions we had together. You don’t have to be strong all the time. Allow yourself to feel, even if it’s in small doses. When it becomes too overwhelming, take a moment to breathe, and don’t hesitate to reach out. Healing isn’t meant to be a solitary endeavor.” She retrieved a business card from her pocket and handed it to Serena. “Call me whenever you need. Even if it’s just for a chat, I’d be more than happy to help you navigate through this storm.”
A warmth blossomed in Serena’s chest at the doctor’s words. She mustered a smile, albeit a faint one. “Thank you, Doctor. I really appreciate it. I have an interview in Oakridge tomorrow, and I’ll likely be moving there, but I’ll make sure to return to Velmon City before my job starts. I’d love to see you again.”
“Tomorrow, you say?” Dr. Lin asked, her brows knitting together in concern.
“Actually, tonight,” Serena corrected her, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety about the impending change.
The doctor stepped forward, enveloping Serena in a brief hug. “Good luck. Remember, you are stronger than you realize, Serena. Hold onto that thought.”
“Goodbye, Doctor,” Serena replied, her heart swelling with gratitude as she turned to head back to her car, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.
With her flight scheduled for six in the evening Serena decided to leave for the airport before four. Instead of driving herself, she opted for an Uber, Carrying with her a small but significant package-Victor’s DNA samples, which she intended submit to a laboratory in Oakridge, far removed from Velmon and its prying eyes.
As the Uber glided through the streets, Serena felt a growing discomfort as the driver kept glancing at the rearview mirror, his expression shifting from casual to tense.
“Sorry, Miss,” he finally said, breaking the silence. “I think the car behind us has been following us for a while now.”
Serena turned to look back, her heart skipping a beat as she spotted a luxury vehicle trailing closely behind. The plate number was unfamiliar, and a frown creased her brow. Fortunately, at the next intersection, the car turned left, and she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“Sorry about that. I might have been mistaken,” the driver said, his voice apologetic.
“It’s fine,” Serena replied, though the unease lingered.
The journey to the airport was quick, and upon arrival, the Uber driver helped her with her luggage. Just as she was about to step inside the terminal, she felt an unsettling sensation-a burning gaze that seemed to pierce through her.
A chill crept down her spine, and she instinctively turned around, scanning the area for the source of that intense stare, but found nothing amiss.
“I’m just overthinking this,” she muttered to herself, shaking her head as she finally stepped into the airport.
After completing her check-in at five, she made her way to the boarding area, joining a throng of passengers waiting for their flights. As the clock ticked closer to departure the boarding gate attendant announced, “We are now boarding for Eastwind Air Flight 1061 bound for Oakridge City. Please proceed to the gate with your boarding passes and valid IDs.”
Serena joined the line, anticipation building within her. But just as she was about to step forward, an unexpected jolt of fear gripped her someone had seized her wrist with a firm, unyielding grip!
Her heart raced, adrenaline surging through her veins.
“Eastwind Air 1061 has already departed. We should go,” Dennis said, glancing at Nathaniel, who was seated in the passenger seat, his gaze fixed out the window.
They were parked just outside the airport, and Nathaniel’s profile was taut with tension, his jaw clenched as if he were trying to will the plane to return.
“Someone is going to meet her in Oakridge, right?” Nathaniel asked, his voice laced with concern. “She hasn’t been to Oakridge before. She rarely travels alone.”
“Yes, I’ve told you this a thousand times already. The representative in Oakridge will text me once she ? meets Serena at the airport,” Dennis replied his voice edged with irritation. “If you’re this worried, you should have gone with her on the flight. Better yet, you shouldnt have divorced her in the first place.”
Nathaniel remained silent, but the tightening around his eyes betrayed the regret he was desperately trying to suppress.
He stole one last glance at the darkening sky before finally conceding to leave.
“Thank you for driving me. Let’s go,” Nathaniel said to Dennis, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. “The engagement party is about to start.”
The word hung in the air like an uninvited guest-missing.
As the clock struck seven in the evening, Nathaniel and Dennis made their way to the engagement party, their presence commanding attention even before they stepped through the grand entrance of the Velmon Grand Regency Hotel. Nathaniel, clad in a sleek black suit, exuded an air of authority and poise, while Dennis, in a soft beige suit, radiated a more approachable warmth. Together, they were a striking duo, but it was Nathaniel’s undeniable charisma that drew the most gazes.
Whispers floated through the crowd like leaves caught in a gentle breeze.
“Is that Nathaniel Thorne? I can’t believe how handsome he is in person,” one voice remarked, her tone laced with awe.
“Vanessa is incredibly lucky. They’re together, right?” another chimed in, a hint of envy coloring her words.
“Dennis Mercer is quite the catch too,” someone else added, as they watched the two friends approach.
Navigating through the elegantly decorated venue, Nathaniel and Dennis soon reached the front-row tables where the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Bianca, Nathaniel’s mother, stood to greet them, her expression a mixture of relief and mild irritation.
“Nathan, how could you arrive late? You know how important this celebration is to the Holts,” she reprimanded, her hands on her hips.
“Apologies, Mother,” Nathaniel replied, glancing at Dennis with a hint of a smile. “Dennis needed my assistance with a few things.”
Bianca’s gaze darted to Dennis, who cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to suppress a sheepish grin. “Sorry, Aunt,” he said, his voice slightly strained.
“You, Timothy, and Peter are all the same. Always relying on Nathan,” Bianca continued, shaking her head in mock exasperation. “Did you bring gifts?”
With a slight flourish, Nathaniel raised a paper bag. “Here you go.”
Dennis followed suit, displaying his own present. “I brought mine too, Mrs. Thorne.” “Fantastic! Now, let’s go greet the Holts,” Bianca urged, her excitement palpable. As they made their way to the front of the venue, the Holts were busy welcoming newly arrived guests, showering them with gifts and congratulations. Nathaniel’s other friends, Peter Wells and Timothy Harlow, were mingling nearby, their laughter mingling with the festive atmosphere.
Vanessa spotted them almost immediately, her bright gray eyes sparkling with delight. “Nathan, you made it!” she exclaimed, her voice ringing with genuine happiness.
“Of course he would,” Bianca interjected, her tone lightening. “We wouldn’t miss this celebration for the world.”
With a warm smile, Vanessa gestured towards the celebrants. “Nathan, Aunt Bianca, I’d like you to meet my cousin, Delilah Holt, and her fianc?, Helbert Martinez.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.