Chapter 23
**Chapter 23: Overly Involved Ride Home p>
“Mr. Thorne, my colleagues have finished their dinner. I’m heading back to the police station now. Allow me the honor of escorting you, at least to the main highway.” The officer’s words brought a wave of relief to Serena. She curled up in the back seat of the car, her heart racing as she waited for Nathaniel to join her.
“Thank you, I truly appreciate it,” Nathaniel replied, his voice steady. He slid into the car and promptly locked the door, a protective gesture that made Serena feel a bit safer.
His gaze landed on her, and he quickly instructed, “Tell Alice to wait at least thirty minutes before leaving. We don’t want the police to catch on to anything. I’ll take you to her apartment p>
Serena picked up her phone and dialed Alice. The call connected almost instantly. “God, Serena! Where have you been? I p>
“I’m fine, really. Nathan helped me out,” Serena reassured her friend. “But a police officer is escorting him to the highway, so please wait about thirty minutes before you leave. Let’s meet at your apartment building p>
“Are you sure about this?” Alice’s voice was laced with concern.
“Don’t worry, the police didn’t notice me,” Serena insisted, though her heart raced at the thought. “It’s a long story. I’ll explain everything later p>
“You can relax now,” Nathaniel said, his focus still on the road ahead, not sparing a glance in her direction. “The officer has gotten into his car p>
Gavin, the officer, had already started the engine. Serena took a moment to collect herself, straightening up in her seat and inhaling deeply. She was bundled in two layers of clothing, and she loosened her top slightly, trying to conceal the evidence of her pregnancy. “Thank God,” she whispered to herself, feeling a moment of reprieve.
But just as the relief washed over her, Nathaniel’s voice cut through the air like a knife. “You shouldn’t have done that, Serena. Whatever you’re searching for isn’t worth putting your life and reputation at risk p>
His words ignited a spark of anger within her. She turned to face him, her frustration bubbling to the surface. She wanted to explain her actions, to make him understand, but she hesitated. Revealing too much felt dangerous, especially when the truth was still so fragile. Instead, she looked away, her voice steady but filled with defiance. “You wouldn’t understand p>
“Try me,” he challenged, his tone firm. “If p>
Suddenly, he trailed off, his attention shifting.
Serena glanced at him, confusion knitting her brow. It was then she noticed his eyes fixated on her arm. A jolt of realization struck her; she hadn’t even registered the sting until now.
A small cut marred her skin, just a couple of inches long, and the long sleeves of her shirt had absorbed the blood, masking the injury. It had happened when she pushed through the thick vegetation behind the gazebo.
“What’s that?” Nathaniel’s voice was sharp as he grasped her arm, his expression darkening. When he rolled up her sleeve, his jaw tightened in concern. “Gavin, after the highway, take her to the hospital p>
Serena blinked in surprise. p>
An hour later, Serena found herself at Grand Mercy Hospital, being tended to by a nurse in the emergency room.
The nurse was applying antiseptic to her wound for the second time, her brow furrowed in concentration. “Ma’am, your husband is quite worried about you. I tried to assure him that the wound is clean, but he insisted I reapply the medicine p>
Serena felt her throat constrict.
Nathaniel stood a short distance away, his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that made her uneasy.
“He’s not my husband,” she corrected the nurse, her voice firm. “Just my… overly involved ride home p>
“Oh.” The nurse raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise crossing her features. “I just thought that’s a bit unusual p>
After finishing the dressing, the nurse said, “You can settle the hospital fees now. You’re free to take home the antiseptic and extra gauze, as they’ve already been charged to you p>
As they wrapped up, Nathaniel approached, his demeanor commanding as he instructed the nurse, “Add a take-home scar ointment-the strongest one available for reducing marks p>
The nurse frowned slightly and replied, “Ah, yes, Mr. Overly Involved Ride Home.” Serena couldn’t help but roll her eyes internally.
Gavin settled the bill, and as Nathaniel and Serena exited the hospital, a heavy silence enveloped them. Not a word was exchanged, even as they slid into the car.
The atmosphere felt strange; he had been her savior just moments ago, yet now he sat so close, merely inches apart, yet it felt as though an entire universe separated them. He was warm and present, yet emotionally distant, making her heart ache with confusion.
As they drove a few blocks from Alice’s apartment, Nathaniel broke the silence. “Why were you willing to provide me with evidence that could keep your father in jail p>
Serena turned to him, but he was still staring out the window, lost in thought. “Because it’s the right thing to do,” she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
“But he is your father,” Nathaniel pointed out, his tone incredulous.
“Even if he is, that doesn’t mean I should condone all his wrongdoings,” Serena said, her gaze drifting away from him. “I’m sure you’ve noticed, even just a little, we were never that close p>
A heavy silence settled between them, thick with unspoken words. Serena wondered if Nathaniel had any inkling of the complexity of her relationship with her parents. I front of him, Roselind and Victor had always put on a façade of warmth but it was only when Nathaniel wasn’t around that their true colors emerged.
As they approached Alice’s apartment building, Serena’s eyes caught sight of her
friend waiting outside, her expression a mix of concern and relief.
Nathaniel spoke again, his voice steady. “Next time, if you need anything, just tell me p>
“Just tell you?” Serena shot him a look, skepticism evident in her tone.
“Rather than resorting to breaking and entering just let me know what you need. If it’s reasonable, I’ll help you, his voice low and even. he said He sat there, calm and composed, his gaze unwavering. His eyes were sharp, piercing, and strikingly
captivating in the dim light.
“I mean it. Whatever you ask,” he added, the sincerity in his tone disarming her.
“Just don’t put yourself in danger p>
His words struck a chord deep
amet
within her, or perhaps it was the intensity of his gaze that broke through her defenses. She felt emotional tide rising, pushing her to ask Anything? Then tell me can you look past who my father is long enough to see just me p>
The question hung in the air, and Nathaniel appeared taken aback. His mouth
opened slightly, but no words came forth.
Gavin pulled over in front of Alice, and Serena took a deep breath. “Just as I thought p>
She opened the car door and was halfway out when Nathaniel grasped her arm gently. “Serena, wait p>