Chapter 32
**Chapter 32: An Attack p>
Serena stirred from her restless slumber, her heart heavy with the weight of recent events. The world felt suffocating, as if each breath was a laborious task.
Eating had become a chore, and even in her dreams, she was haunted by the horrific image of Alice’s car plummeting from the bridge, an image that felt all too real.
Yet amidst the turmoil, there was a flicker of hope her pregnancy. It was the only thing anchoring her to the present, a small life growing inside her that demanded care and attention.
As she reached for her phone, she noticed the time: eight o’clock in the morning. A few messages from Lena Hartley caught her eye, and she read through them with a mix of anxiety and gratitude:
[Serena, you should just stay at Alice’s apartment and rest. Take care of yourself. I know you are pregnant, and we don’t intend to tell Nathan. It’s between you and him. But he doesn’t seem so bad. He seems to really care about you. I wish you could patch things up p>
[Bernard and I are headed to Riverbend Point to get updates. We heard that Nathaniel’s assistant had left to return to Velmon, so we are hoping to supervise the search in Gavin’s place p>
Her fingers trembled as she typed a response: [Please, take care, Aunt p>
The aroma wafting from the kitchen confirmed Nathaniel’s presence. He was cooking, and the rich smell of bacon and pancakes filled the air, stirring a mix of emotions within her.
Nathaniel… cooking? The very thought baffled her. Was it sympathy for the Hartleys that drove him to this? Or was it guilt that pushed him to take on such domestic tasks? Serena knew she would never find the answers, for the truth was, she was too afraid to ask.
After a quick shower, she dressed and stepped into the living room, where she immediately caught the sound of Gavin’s voice.
It seemed he had arrived while she was busy preparing herself.
“Sir, the authorities managed to retrieve Miss Hartley’s dashcam, and thankfully, it was unharmed. The camera was waterproof,” Gavin informed Nathaniel, his tone serious. “If you look closely, it appears the car approaching her was deliberately aiming for her. The driver didn’t slow down upon realizing they were in the same lane. In fact, he accelerated p>
“This could very well be… an attack against Alice,” Gavin concluded, his words hanging ominously in the air.
Serena felt a sharp gasp escape her lips as the implication of Gavin’s words sank in. Nathaniel echoed her shock, “An attack? Who would want to harm Alice? I need to ask Serena; she might have some insight p>
Panic gripped her. Memories of the confrontation with the laboratory supervisor at Grand Mercy Hospital flooded her mind. What if this incident was somehow connected to her quest for a paternity test?
Before she could spiral further into her thoughts, Gavin interrupted, “Sir, your mom has been trying to reach you. What should I tell her p>
“Just say I had a sudden business trip. I texted her about it,” Nathaniel replied, a hint of frustration in his voice. “Tell her I’ll be home in a couple of hours p>
“Understood, Sir,” Gavin responded, his tone professional.
As footsteps echoed in the hallway, Serena made her way toward the kitchen, where she unexpectedly crossed paths with Gavin.
He offered her a faint smile. “Miss Kline, you look a bit better today. I hope you managed to get some rest p>
“I’ve had better nights, but thank you, Gavin,” she replied, unable to muster a smile in return.
“I’m truly sorry, Miss Kline. Please know we are doing everything in our power to locate Alice,” he assured her before leaving.
Determined, Serena sought out Nathaniel. The moment their eyes locked, a wave of nostalgia washed over her, reminding her of simpler times when they would share moments like this-Nathaniel cooking while she watched him, lost in thought.
Her heart tightened, but she inhaled deeply, trying to calm the storm within.
“It’s time to eat, Serena,” Nathaniel announced, pouring himself a cup of coffee before shifting his gaze back to her. “Are you sure you don’t want any coffee p>
She shook her head. “Water will suffice p>
He fetched her a glass, and they settled at the nook table, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. After what felt like an eternity, Nathaniel broke the silence “How are you feeling p>
“Like the world is against me,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I’m truly sorry,” Nathaniel said, his tone soft and imbued with genuine concern. “I
wish none of this had happened p>
“I know you’re hurting, but I have to
ask—what has Alice been up to? Did she have any arguments with anyone? Or has she faced any troubl@at work lately?” Nathaniel’s inquiry was gentle but probing. “kask because there’s a possibility that the” other car in the accident deliberately crashed into Alice’s. Did you hear what Gavin said p>
Serena nodded, her heart racing.
The truth was, she wasn’t ready to share the details of her and Alice’s attempt to
obtain a paternity test using Victor’s DNA.
First, she wasn’t sure if Nathaniel was trustworthy enough to confide in.
Second, she wanted to uncover the truth before revealing anything to anyone.
Third, if someone had indeed tried to harm Alice, how could she face the Hartleys, knowing she had kept such a significant secret?
Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and she struggled to find the right words. “Nathan, I p>
Suddenly, Nathaniel’s phone buzzed, breaking the moment. She watched as his calm demeanor faltered, a flicker of panic crossing his face.
In the next instant, his phone rang, and he answered it immediately. Though he didn’t put the call on speaker, Serena could hear Bianca’s frantic voice on the other end. “You-Serena! If— I will turn you over to the police—go to jail!” “Mom, no. It’s not what you think,” Nathaniel said, tension radiating from him as he rubbed his temples. “Please, just don’t p>
Serena strained to hear as he exited the kitchen, but she could only catch snippets of his conversation. It was clear that Bianca had discovered Nathaniel’s involvement in helping her.
When Nathaniel returned, Serena’s anxiety surged. “Are you going to stop looking for Alice?” she asked, her voice trembling, a tear slipping down her cheek.
“No. I promised you I would find Alice, and I will, Serena,” he reassured her, determination etched on his face. “But I need to go. There are matters I must attend
to p>
He didn’t take the time to change; instead, he grabbed his jacket and laptop, turning back to her. “Serena, please take care of yourself p>
The way he said it felt like another farewell, a painful reminder of their uncertain future.
And perhaps, it truly was.
As the afternoon sun streamed through the window, Serena found herself contemplating a trip to Grand Mercy Hospital. She still needed to coffect the DNA samples, but before she could gather her thoughts and head out, her phone rang, displaying an unknown number.
With a mix of trepidation and curiosity, she answered. “Serena, it’s Vanessa. We
need to talk. There’s something you should know p>