Chapter 15
**What Cannot Be Erased p>
“Here you go, Bestie. You really need a hearty broth,” Alice said cheerfully, as she placed a steaming bowl of freshly prepared ramen in front of Serena. The rich aroma wafting from the bowl was intoxicating, and Serena could tell that the broth had been lovingly simmered for hours, infusing every drop with deep, savory flavors.
“It’s absolutely divine,” Serena exclaimed, savoring another spoonful of the comforting soup, feeling the warmth spread through her.
Alongside the ramen, Alice had thoughtfully brought steamed chicken and a generous portion of garlic bread. Serena had always had a soft spot for garlic bread; the crispy, buttery slices were her guilty pleasure, a simple delight that never failed to bring her joy.
The two friends had decided to visit a buffet restaurant for the evening, a choice that felt both indulgent and necessary. Serena reminded herself that she needed to regain the weight she had lost, especially for the sake of her pregnancy.
Alice beamed widely as she watched Serena dig into her meal. Her bright brown eyes sparkled with satisfaction, matching the lively bounce of her shoulder-length black hair. “Go on, eat as much as you want,” she encouraged, her voice filled with warmth.
Serena nodded appreciatively, picking up a piece of tender chicken with her chopsticks and relishing the flavor as she chewed thoughtfully.
“By the way, have you heard from Xavier?” Alice inquired, her expression shifting to one of curiosity.
Serena shook her head, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. “I intended to call his office yesterday, but I got caught up with other things p>
“Well, regardless, I have some news regarding what Dianna mentioned,” Alice said, her tone brightening. “Last night, while I was working, I took the opportunity to sift through old records at the hospital. I discovered that you and your parents have medical records at Grand Mercy Hospital dating back twenty years, but nothing prior to that p>
“But I know someone at Velmon Prime Medical Center. You were born there, right? We should be able to dig up something, at least a clue,” Alice suggested, her eyes sparkling with determination.
“Right,” Serena agreed, her mind racing. At twenty-five years old, she realized she needed those records from her childhood, not just the recent ones.
“If that doesn’t pan out, I have a distant relative in social services. I could ask her to look into it-discreetly, of course,” Alice added, her voice reassuring.
“Thank you, Alice,” Serena said, reaching out to grasp her friend’s hand in gratitude. “I honestly don’t know what I would do without you p>
“Just promise me you’ll always be my best friend,” Alice said with a grin that lit up her face.
Serena felt a wave of emotion wash over her, her eyes misting slightly. “Of course. You’re the best best friend anyone could ever wish for p>
“This Sunday, let’s plan an outing,” Alice suggested, her brow furrowing in thought. “How about we head to Silverpine Mountain Resort and book a cozy cabin for just the two of us p>
“Yeah, that sounds perfect!” Serena replied, her spirits lifting. “I haven’t been there in ages p>
“Fantastic! We can hit the spa, treat ourselves to facials, soak in the hot spring, and just unwind,” Alice said, her eyes glazing over with excitement. “It’ll be great for both of us p>
When Sunday finally arrived, Serena and Alice set off for the mountain resort, a picturesque two-hour drive from Velmon City.
Upon their arrival, they indulged in a series of rejuvenating spa treatments. They pampered themselves with facials, body scrubs, and manicures. Afterward, they found bliss in the hot spring, enveloped in the warm, therapeutic water that embraced their bodies like a gentle hug.
While the experience didn’t erase the haunting memories of Nathaniel, it allowed Serena to breathe a little easier, if only for a moment.
As they soaked, Alice posed a crucial question that hung in the air like a storm cloud. “Serena, you know you’ll have to see Nathan again when you go to get your divorce certificate. Are you really not going to tell him about the pregnancy p>
Serena had her eyes closed, leaning back against the edge of the spring bath, the warmth soothing her. When she finally opened them, she took a deep breath and replied, “I’ve thought it through. I don’t believe he needs to know. Bianca would likely flip if she ever found out p>
“But you’re starting to show,” Alice pointed out, concern etching her features.
“I know,” Serena admitted, placing a hand on her stomach. At thirteen weeks along, she was entering her second trimester, and her belly would only continue to grow.
“The waiting period for the divorce is just a month in Velmon City. By the time I meet Nathan again, I’ll be around sixteen weeks pregnant,” Serena mused, turning to Alice. “I should still be able to hide it under a coat p>
“I’ll be right there with you when you go to get the divorce certificate,” Alice said, her voice firm and unwavering.
“Please,” Serena implored, her eyes pleading.
Alice laughed softly. “Of course! I’ll be your strength when the time comes p>
The following morning, Serena and Alice strolled through the resort’s tree-planting grounds, where rows of tiny saplings thrived under the watchful eyes of ancient, towering trees.
As she walked, Serena instinctively touched her stomach, feeling the life growing within her. The vibrant
surroundings made her feel both neto
fragile and resilient. Uncertain of what the future held, she foun Solace in nature’s reminder that new beginnings often arise after the most challenging seasons.
“Do you remember our college field trip here?” Alice asked, her voice filled with nostalgia.
“Absolutely,” Serena replied, a small smile dancing on her lips. “How could I ever forget p>
They meandered along the path lined with older trees, reminiscing about how they had carved their names into the bark during that trip. Alice suddenly darted toward one tree and exclaimed, “I found minë p>
Serena chuckled, glancing around, trying to recall if she had marked her name on a specific tree.
Then, as she turned, time seemed to freeze.
Her throat went dry as she spotted the tree-the very one where she and Nathaniel
had etched their names, enclosed in a crooked little heart.
The memory had slipped away from her until this very moment.
It was from their biology field trip in college. Despite Nathaniel being two years older, they had fortuitously shared the same biology class for one semester. Standing in this same planting site, she could vividly recall, the laughter they ad hared, the playful banter about their muddy shoes, and the shy blushes that accompanied their accidental touches.
The memory struck her like a physical blow.
She swallowed hard, and a surge of anger coursed through her veins. Turning to a nearby resort worker, she demanded, “Excuse me, do you have a carving tool? A knife? Anything sharp p>
After the worker handed her a small knife, Serena gripped it tightly, her heart racing.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she pressed the blade against the bark and began to scrape her name off with fervor, each stroke fueled by the tumult of emotions she had been harboring.
“Arrgh p>
“Rrr-ugh p>
She grunted with every drag of the blade, the bark chipping away beneath her determined hands, her name slowly vanishing next to Nathaniel’s.
It was a childish act, but it felt utterly necessary.
Alice rushed toward her, panic etched on her face. “Serena, Bestie, stop! You’re
going to hurt yourself p>
But Serena was relentless. Not yet. Not until her name was completely gone.
When she finally stepped back, panting heavily, a raw satisfaction settled deep within her bones.
Yet, Serena remained oblivious to the irony of her actions.
She could erase her name from a tree, but she could never erase the part of Nathaniel that was growing inside her. And when the truth inevitably caught up with her, what choice would she make then?