Nathaniel… cooking? The very thought baffled her. Was it sympathy for the Hartleys that drove him to this? Or was it guilt that pushed him to take on such domestic tasks? Serena knew she would never find the answers, for the truth was, she was too afraid to ask.
After a quick shower, she dressed and stepped into the living room, where she immediately caught the sound of Gavin’s voice.
It seemed he had arrived while she was busy preparing herself.
“Sir, the authorities managed to retrieve Miss Hartley’s dashcam, and thankfully, it was unharmed. The camera was waterproof,” Gavin informed Nathaniel, his tone serious. “If you look closely, it appears the car approaching her was deliberately aiming for her. The driver didn’t slow down upon realizing they were in the same lane. In fact, he accelerated.”
“This could very well be… an attack against Alice,” Gavin concluded, his words hanging ominously in the air.
Serena felt a sharp gasp escape her lips as the implication of Gavin’s words sank in. Nathaniel echoed her shock, “An attack? Who would want to harm Alice? I need to ask Serena; she might have some insight.”
Panic gripped her. Memories of the confrontation with the laboratory supervisor at Grand Mercy Hospital flooded her mind. What if this incident was somehow connected to her quest for a paternity test?
Before she could spiral further into her thoughts, Gavin interrupted, “Sir, your mom has been trying to reach you. What should I tell her?”
“Just say I had a sudden business trip. I texted her about it,” Nathaniel replied, a hint of frustration in his voice. “Tell her I’ll be home in a couple of hours.”
“Understood, Sir,” Gavin responded, his tone professional.
As footsteps echoed in the hallway, Serena made her way toward the kitchen, where she unexpectedly crossed paths with Gavin.
He offered her a faint smile. “Miss Kline, you look a bit better today. I hope you managed to get some rest.”
“I’ve had better nights, but thank you, Gavin,” she replied, unable to muster a smile in return.
“I’m truly sorry, Miss Kline. Please know we are doing everything in our power to locate Alice,” he assured her before leaving.
Determined, Serena sought out Nathaniel. The moment their eyes locked, a wave of nostalgia washed over her, reminding her of simpler times when they would share moments like this-Nathaniel cooking while she watched him, lost in thought.
Her heart tightened, but she inhaled deeply, trying to calm the storm within.
“It’s time to eat, Serena,” Nathaniel announced, pouring himself a cup of coffee before shifting his gaze back to her. “Are you sure you don’t want any coffee?”
She shook her head. “Water will suffice.”
He fetched her a glass, and they settled at the nook table, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. After what felt like an eternity, Nathaniel broke the silence “How are you feeling?”
“Like the world is against me,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I’m truly sorry,” Nathaniel said, his tone soft and imbued with genuine concern. “I
wish none of this had happened.”
“I know you’re hurting, but I have to ask-what has Alice been up to? Did she have any arguments with anyone? Or has she faced any troubl@at work lately?” Nathaniel’s inquiry was gentle but probing. “kask because there’s a possibility that the” other car in the accident deliberately crashed into Alice’s. Did you hear what Gavin said?”
Serena nodded, her heart racing.
The truth was, she wasn’t ready to share the details of her and Alice’s attempt to obtain a paternity test using Victor’s DNA.
First, she wasn’t sure if Nathaniel was trustworthy enough to confide in.
Second, she wanted to uncover the truth before revealing anything to anyone.
Third, if someone had indeed tried to harm Alice, how could she face the Hartleys, knowing she had kept such a significant secret?
Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and she struggled to find the right words. “Nathan, I-“
Suddenly, Nathaniel’s phone buzzed, breaking the moment. She watched as his calm demeanor faltered, a flicker of panic crossing his face.
In the next instant, his phone rang, and he answered it immediately. Though he didn’t put the call on speaker, Serena could hear Bianca’s frantic voice on the other end. “You-Serena! If- I will turn you over to the police-go to jail!” “Mom, no. It’s not what you think,” Nathaniel said, tension radiating from him as he rubbed his temples. “Please, just don’t.”
Serena strained to hear as he exited the kitchen, but she could only catch snippets of his conversation. It was clear that Bianca had discovered Nathaniel’s involvement in helping her.
When Nathaniel returned, Serena’s anxiety surged. “Are you going to stop looking for Alice?” she asked, her voice trembling, a tear slipping down her cheek.
“No. I promised you I would find Alice, and I will, Serena,” he reassured her, determination etched on his face. “But I need to go. There are matters I must attend to.”
He didn’t take the time to change; instead, he grabbed his jacket and laptop, turning back to her. “Serena, please take care of yourself.”
The way he said it felt like another farewell, a painful reminder of their uncertain future.
And perhaps, it truly was.
As the afternoon sun streamed through the window, Serena found herself contemplating a trip to Grand Mercy Hospital. She still needed to coffect the DNA samples, but before she could gather her thoughts and head out, her phone rang, displaying an unknown number.
With a mix of trepidation and curiosity, she answered. “Serena, it’s Vanessa. We need to talk. There’s something you should know.”
Allow me to introduce Vanessa.
“I know Nathan was involved in the rescue operation,” Vanessa asserted over the phone, her tone unyielding. “If you choose not to meet me, I assure you, there will be repercussions that you won’t appreciate. But don’t fret; I won’t bite. I simply want you to grasp the truth.”
Serena’s grip on the phone tightened, her heart racing. “What truth?” she demanded, her voice barely concealing her rising anxiety.
“When we meet, you will understand,” Vanessa replied enigmatically. “Let’s convene at the caf? in the Velmon Grand Regency lobby.”
A tempest of anger surged within Serena, yet a chill of dread crept up her spine at the thought of what Vanessa might reveal. Reluctantly, she agreed to meet Vanessa later that afternoon.
As expected, Vanessa exuded an aura of perfection. It was as if she had stepped out of a fashion magazine, her favorite color clearly red. The halter-style dress she wore clung elegantly to her figure, while her flowing blonde hair and piercing gray eyes drew the gazes of everyone in the hotel lobby, making her the center of attention.
“Serena, you’re late,” Vanessa greeted her with a bright smile, lifting a cup of coffee to her lips as if savoring a moment of triumph.
“I’m not feeling well,” Serena replied tersely, her irritation bubbling beneath the surface.
“I can imagine how difficult this must be for you,” Vanessa said, her voice dripping with feigned sympathy. “I did some digging into the Hartleys, and they appear to be genuinely nice people. It’s easy to see why Nathan would want to help them.” She gestured toward Serena’s coat. “Would you like the staff to take that for you?”
“No, thank you. I’m just feeling a bit chilly,” Serena lied, her heart racing as she carefully maintained her composure. “As I mentioned, I’m not well.”
“Oh, I’m truly sorry to hear that,” Vanessa replied, her tone shifting to one of concern. “What can I get you? Coffee? Tea?”
Serena settled into the chair across from Vanessa, her posture stiff. “I don’t need anything,” she replied curtly.
“Suit yourself,” Vanessa shrugged, a hint of amusement playing on her lips.
“What do you want from me?” Serena pressed, her patience wearing thin.
“Honestly?” Vanessa leaned in, her expression turning serious. “While I understand that Nathan is just a naturally helpful person, I still find it rather peculiar that he would go to such lengths for you, Serena. That’s why I felt compelled to speak with you today.”
With that, Vanessa set her coffee down and rummaged through her bag, producing a document that she handed to Serena with an air of finality.
“I’m pregnant with Nathan’s child,” she stated matter-of-factly.
Serena’s hand quivered as she stared at the ultrasound report, Vanessa’s name glaring back at her. The document indicated she was six weeks along, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. Her mind struggled to process the reality before her.
*So they were really together… perhaps long before everything fell apart,* Serena thought bitterly.
“Our families are currently discussing our engagement,” Vanessa continued, her voice dripping with triumph. “In fact, we’re planning to hold an engagement party the day after your divorce is finalized. I just want to make sure you don’t misinterpret Nathan’s kindness.”
“You and Nathan will never be together. Bianca will never accept you,” Vanessa added, her confidence unwavering. She gestured to herself, as if to emphasize her superiority. “I’m the one he loves now, and I’m carrying his child. We’re going to build a family together. He will be my husband and the father of my future children.” “Please,” Vanessa leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Stay away from Nathan, and for goodness’ sake, try to stand on your own two feet.” A bitter taste filled Serena’s mouth, but she forced herself to remain composed. *What about me? I’m also pregnant! And with Alice gone, I have no one else!* Serena screamed silently in her mind.
Indeed, Vanessa was fortunate. *She gets the love. She gets the family. She gets him… and I am left with nothing.*
Serena handed the ultrasound report back to Vanessa, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. “Congratulations. I’m sure Bianca will be thrilled.”
“Of course,” Vanessa replied, a smug smile spreading across her face. “Bianca and I have a wonderful rapport.”
“Don’t worry,” Serena said, her tone clipped. “We’re technically already divorced. The waiting period will end in two days. Then you can celebrate with Nathan.”
Vanessa’s smile widened, but Serena detected a glint of mischief in her eyes. “I’m glad we have an understanding. This way, I won’t have to complicate things for you.”
“Is there anything else? I have to go,” Serena said, rising from her seat, eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere.
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.