Chapter 176
Not Divided.
“Mommy, why are you and Daddy always on a trip without us?” Sebastian asked, frowning.
Serena almost cried upon hearing her son.
Sebastian had no idea she had just been through hell.
“Don’t worry, Baby,” she said. “When I get back, your dad and I will take you on a vacation p>
She felt like she needed to get away after what she had been through. And judging by the quiet look on her father’s face, he did not have any objections, even to the thought of being with Nathaniel.
“Mommy, you okay?” Alisa asked, her brows meeting as she studied Serena carefully through the screen.
Serena forced a smile.
Alisa was always so observant. She could easily tell when something was wrong. She may not connect with others as much, but for the people Alisa cared about, she was very perceptive.
“I’m fine,” Serena replied. “I just missed you, Ali. And Bastin too p>
Nathaniel sat beside her, rubbed her arms, and smiled at Alisa. “Don’t worry about Mommy. I’m taking care of her p>
Alisa smiled. “Okay, Daddy p>
After the kids, Alice took over, bringing the tablet somewhere more private. From there, Xavier came into view.
“God, I’m so glad you are safe,” Alice said. “Who had you kidnapped, Serena? Who p>
Serena turned to Nathaniel.
Yesterday, Nathaniel insisted that Victor’s name be a secret for now. It was safer for everyone that way. He also did not want his mother’s blood pressure to rise should she discover Victor was still alive and had escaped prison over the last four years. Lastly, Nathaniel wanted to lure out whoever had helped Victor.
“We captured the men who took Serena, but we believe there is a mastermind,” Nathaniel explained. “The kidnappers are being interrogated at the military camp.” Through the video call, Serena could see her best friend trembling. Alice shifted her gaze to Nathaniel and pleaded, “Nathan, you have to make them pay! Only you can give Serena justice! Real justice p>
“I swear, I’ll make them pay — every one of their accomplices,” Nathaniel answered firmly.
Alice broke down completely after that. Xavier had to take over. While Alice cried in his arms, he turned to Serena. “You don’t know how relieved I am — we are p>
Behind Xavier, Alice’s parents were there, including Landon.
They expressed words of gratitude, knowing Serena had been saved.
“Did you get yourself checked?” Xavier asked.
Serena nodded, also weeping. She could feel the emotions from Alice’s family. They were just as hurt as she was over the incident.
“We had her checked. The results should be in today,” Nathaniel answered for her.
“Take your time,” Alice’s mother, Lena, said. “We will take care of the kids p>
“Yes, and besides, Mrs. Thorne is also here with us,” Bernard added.
“Please take care of yourself, Serena,” Landon said.
After that, Xavier hesitated, then said, “Bianca wants to talk to you p>
Serena nodded. She carelessly wiped the tears from her cheeks just in time for Bianca to appear on the screen.
“I’m glad Nathan found you,” Bianca said, holding back her tears. “You don’t know
how much I prayed. Are you sure you’re okay now, Serena p>
“I’m still shaken, but I’m feeling much better,” she replied.
“I pray Nathan finds out soon who is behind this,” Bianca said, then turned to her
son. “Nathan, ask your grandfather for all the help p>
“He already is helping,” Nathaniel assured his mother. “He has started the interrogation without me p>
Bianca paused and looked down. A tear finally rolled down her cheek. “I guess we made the right choice in reconnecting with your grandfather. He may have abandoned your father, but he is trying to make amends p>
Nathaniel was silent for a moment. When Serena turned to him, he said, “Yes, he is
trying his best. I won’t ignore that p>
It was in the way they spoke that
Serena realized something quiet but
profound that even the deepest wounds were not beyond healing. Time and not erase the past but it softened it. The same went for her and Nathaniel. What was once broken did not have to define them forever.
Right now, they stood side by side, facing the same enemy — the very man who
had once torn them apart. But this time, they were not divided. They were one.
The call eventually ended. Now, with Serena’s family gathered in one place, they had to plan.
Over a late breakfast in Serena’s
hospital suite, Sterling asked, “Are
we really not going to tell anybody
in custody? Not
that we have vicNot even my
even the Hartleys? Not even m brother p>
Serena noticed Nathaniel’s grip on his coffee cup tighten. His brows met.
“Especially not your brother,” Nathaniel replied. “He was the reason Serena got kidnapped in the first place p>
“What makes you think Melvin is involved in this?” Sterling asked seriously.
“I’m not saying he is,” Nathaniel answered. “I’m saying he made a mistake, and he deserves every bit of doubt from me, from you p>
Nathaniel turned to Serena. “From Serena too p>