Chapter 132
Serena Saves Face.
All eyes turned to Nathaniel.
Serena could see how the neighbors were stunned when the children ran toward
him and called him their father.
“Daddy, you came!” Sebastian screamed, leaping into his arms.
Meanwhile, Alisa also called out, “Daddy! Daddy p>
And it wasn’t only Nathaniel. Bianca was right behind him.
“Look who else is here,” Nathaniel said as he carried the twins in his arms. He turned slightly behind him.
“Grandma! Grandma’s here!” Sebastian said.
Bianca was already in tears. She approached the twins and kissed their cheeks. “My beautiful grandkids. I missed you both. Grandma brought many gifts. There are also gifts from your Uncle Peter and Uncle Dennis p>
When Serena saw the neighborhood association president walking behind them, smiling and glancing at Celine, she finally understood what was going on.
Nathaniel was the new neighbor?
“What’s going on?” Lucy asked. “Why are Serena’s children calling him Daddy p>
Serena could feel the ladies’ eyes on her.
Gwen stared, then turned to Nathaniel, then back at Serena. Disbelief was clearly written all over her face.
“Come to think of it, Sebastian’s eyes look the same as Mr. Thorne’s,” Mary muttered. “Could it be p>
“Serena?” Mary reacted, pointing at Nathaniel and then at her.
But Serena was too stupefied to respond. She froze as the exchange between her children and their father continued.
“Guess what, guys,” Nathaniel said to the kids. “I bought this house! For us, for you, so I can be close to you p>
“This is our house?” Sebastian asked, eyes widening.
“Yes,” Nathaniel responded. He turned to Alisa, his eyes gleaming. “And Ali, that playground over there is yours and Bastin’s p>
He motioned toward the side of the lawn where the huge playground stood. “But it’s not a good time to play right now since it’s dark p>
Serena’s mind went back to the day she said goodbye to Mrs. Calderon.
The big-shot billionaire who bought the house for twice its market price was Nathaniel!
‘Is he crazy?’ she mused, her face flushing.
Nathaniel had acted so quickly… and it looked like Celine knew about it.
‘No wonder,’ Serena thought.
Her father had been evasive. Evidently, he had already met Nathaniel earlier.
Even Alice and her parents had avoided meeting her eyes.
“I can’t believe it,” Lucy softly murmured.
Daisy glared at Serena. “But didn’t Mr. Thorne say he was married p>
“Serena?” Mary called again.
However, Serena didn’t have the chance to respond because Nathaniel was already walking toward her, his smile stretching from ear to ear.
He left the twins in his mother’s care.
“Surprise,” he said to Serena, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
For a moment, the familiar scent of his cologne unsettled her, leaving her
unprepared. His freshly shaven face made him look younger, and her heart fluttered before she could stop it.
“One step at a time,” he murmured against her cheek. “Neighbors for now p>
After a beat, he added, “We’ll see about the rest p>
“Wait, wait, Mr Thorne,” Daisy suddenly spoke. “Didn’t you say earlier that you were married and had children? But Serena can’t be that person; she’s divorced. Does that mean you have another wife and children p>
Serena fully understood Daisy’s implication.
Daisy was hoping Serena wasn’t the same woman Nathaniel had been referring to.
“Serena is my wife,” Nathaniel replied. “I was the reason we fell apart. But I never let her go, so our divorce never changed what she is to me p>
“I never remarried,” Nathaniel made clear. “Ali and Bastin are my only children.” From the corner of Serena’s eye, she saw Daisy’s mouth fall open, Gwen’s eyes fill with envy, and Lucy suck in a sharp breath. It was obvious they hadn’t expected Nathaniel’s words.
Only Mary smiled.
“Oh,” Mary said, turning to Serena. Her eyes shone as she pointed out, “So Mr. Thorne is the ex-husband you mentioned earlier, the one you said you were still in love with p>
Serena: p>
‘No! This can’t be happening!’ If Serena could hide, she absolutely would have. Her heart was pounding so fast she feared she might faint.
Nathaniel turned to her, his smile brightening. “Serena spoke of me p>
“Yes,” Mary said eagerly. “She just did. Right, Serena? That’s why you never gave Stefan a chance, because you were still in love with your ex-husband and working things out p>
“I see. That’s comforting.” Nathaniel’s smile deepened, slow and dangerous.
A hint of mischief flashed in his eyes as he remained to stare at her. She had a feeling he was going to make a big deal out of this.
The problem was… Serena couldn’t take it back. Otherwise, how could she save face?
Serena now wished she had made up a better lie.
For now, she had no choice.
She could only blush.
Nathaniel closed the distance and slipped an arm around her waist. She stiffened slightly. He leaned in and whispered, “Relax. I’m flattered, not offended p>
Then he turned to Mary with a smile. “We are working things out. Are you friends with Serena p>
Mary looked down at her hands before answering. “We’re not really close, but we see Serena now and then. We are neighbors p>
“I’m really sorry about earlier, Serena,” Mary added apologetically.
“Yes, Serena,” Gwen finally said. “We were just trying to understand what happened between you and Stefan. We didn’t mean anything by it p>
Serena regained her composure. She straightened her back and said to Gwen and the others, “Well, now that you know you can stop talking about me it’s exhausting to everyone involved p>
Nathaniel caught on immediately. His eyes narrowed as he studied the women’s faces. “What happened to the Montgomerys wasn’t because of the Vanders alone. I
had a hand in it p>
“No one gets to hurt Serena or my children without consequences. That includes gossip,” he added “Ladies, trust me when I say, you don’t want to make an enemy out of me. Am Refear?
Lucy said first, “Yes, Mr. Throne p>
“We are sorry, Mr. Thorne, Serena.” Mary looked down.
“It won’t happen again,” Gwen answered, bowing her head.
“We are sorry, Serena,” Daisy managed.
Serena saw fear flicker in their eyes. But seconds later, someone arrived, giving the
women even more reason to be wary of Nathaniel.
Gavin appeared out of nowhere, panting. “Sir, the retired general is here. He wished
to meet Serena and the children p>