Chapter 193
The Same Side.
“Yes!” Celine exclaimed, her hands fisted as she almost raised them.
Almost.
That was because, apart from Bianca, only Celine seemed excited about the news.
Silence fell upon the table before Alice finally cleared the air. “I guess you both have always loved each other. Only that… Victor tore you apart, one way or another p>
Alice smiled and directed her gaze to Nathaniel, “Some mistakes don’t deserve a second chance, but I believe yours does p>
“I agree,” Lena said, smiling at the end of her words.
Then everyone turned to Sterling and Silas.
They were both silent, but not shocked.
It was Silas who spoke first.
“I’m not against it,” he said calmly, folding his arms over his chest. His gaze swept over Nathaniel. “I have many things to thank you for, Nathan, and I can see your sincerity. I saw everything clearly when Serena was abducted, but… just a warning. This is the only chance our family is giving you p>
“Silas, I appreciate that. One Chance is all I need,” Nathaniel said, nodding in acknowledgment.
Then they all turned to Sterling.
Serena’s father put his teacup down. He said to Nathaniel, “I won’t pretend I’ve
forgotten the past, nor will I pretend it didn’t cost my daughter pain p>
“But I’ve also watched you these past weeks,” Sterling added.
He paused.
“You stayed. You listened. You didn’t demand at first. The only time you confronted me was about Serena’s safety… and that was fair p>
“You may try again,” he concluded. “I trust you won’t fail us this time – especially the children p>
“You have my word, Sir,” Nathaniel replied with assurance.
It was at that point that Bianca cried. She was so relieved that she let it all out.
“Thank you,” she said. “Thank you so much p>
Bianca never raised the subject of her forgiveness – not once. She simply did what she could for Nathaniel, and Serena was thankful for that. More than anything, she saw how much Bianca had humbled herself just to be given this opportunity.
“What’s going on?” Sebastian asked. The little boy had finally noticed the change in mood. “Why is Grandma Bianca crying? Are we still rich p>
That definitely broke the ice. A few laughs erupted, while Alisa stopped eating and studied everyone’s faces.
“Bastin,” Serena explained, “your dad and I have decided to be… together p>
Sebastian tilted his head. Clearly, he didn’t understand the difference.
“Little man, Ali,” Nathaniel explained, “it means that when Daddy is in Rexam, you can stay with me at home. And we can go on trips with Mommy. We can spend days together with Daddy and Mommy p>
“But aren’t we already doing that?” Sebastian asked.
“Yes, but we can do it more often now,” Nathaniel said.
Sebastian’s eyes lit up. He turned to Alisa and said, “Hear that, Ali? I knew hiding in the dryer would work like magic p>
Serena, p>
Ali turned to Sebastian and said, “It wasn’t magic. Daddy’s phone can find us p>
Nathaniel’s mouth hung open.
Serena leaned back and raised a brow. ‘How did Ali know p>
“Ahhhhh.” Nathaniel gulped. “Ali, how did you know p>
“Daddy, I saw you finding Mommy,” Alisa revealed with a smile.
“Wow! So if we get lost, Daddy’s phone will always find us,” Sebastian concluded.
“That—” Sterling gulped from the other side of the table. “That pretty much explains it. Why didn’t I think of that p>
“Nathan, can I speak with you privately?” Xavier suddenly said.
Another awkward moment passed between them. Of course, everyone knew of Xavier’s feelings for Serena – including the Hartleys.
“Of course, Xavier,” Nathaniel said. He motioned toward the house and led the way.
“This is hard for me to say,” Xavier said, frowning. “I don’t know if I will ever be comfortable with you being with Serena p>
They were both seated in the study, talking man-to-man.
“You should have seen her when I took her to Rexam,” Xavier added. “She looked
like someone who had lost all hope p>
“She lost Alice, and she was alone p>
“Nathan, she had no one,” Xavier recounted. “If I hadn’t taken her away from the boarding line”
“I am forever grateful to you, Xavier. You did save Serena,” Nathaniel cut him off. “You were there for her and the kids when I wasn’t p>
“I know I haven’t earned your approval,” Nathaniel said. “But I’m not passing up this chance with Serena. Not again p>
He paused. “I don’t want rivalry. I just
hope you find someone who can
return what you feel — and that
when you do, you won’t see us as your loss p>
Dead air fell upon them.
Xavier became evasive. After a few seconds, he said, “I wasn’t finished. I was — I
was about to say that p>
Xavier gulped. “This time, you did
you,
better than I did in protecting her And with the Vanders relying on maybe you are exactly who she needs p>
“Serena chose you, and I respect that. I’ll stand aside,” he said solemnly. “Just don’t give me a reason to regret this p>
Nathaniel shook his head. “I won’t make the same mistake again. It’s all clear now.
We are on the same side — including you p>
Xavier was silent again. Then he frowned. “But you and Serena never
told us who it was. I’ve always
sel
doubted it was a simple kidnap and
ransom case p>
“I will tell you, because I know you deserve the truth,” Nathaniel said before
revealing everything.
Xavier listened to it all.
With every passing second, the veins on his forehead protruded, his hands fisted,
and his knuckles turned white.
Xavier gritted his teeth and said, “It’s time for me to go back to work p>