* FREE - 1500 reads milestone * Chapter 59: When do you plan to have a child?

The surprise was so strong that Serena called out Alexander’s name before she could stop herself. Aunt Torres, realizing her oversight, quickly nodded. “Mr. Vanderbilt is in the master bedroom now. Would Miss Morales like to see him?”

Serena stiffened at the suggestion. She quickly handed the cup of milk back to Aunt Torres, shaking her head. “Aunt Torres, let me know after he leaves tomorrow morning. I’ll skip breakfast.”

Aunt Torres wasn’t blind to what was happening. She noted Serena’s reluctance and deduced that she was avoiding Alexander. Though she was tempted to ask why, she refrained and nodded instead. “Alright, Miss Morales. Rest well.”

As Serena closed the door behind her, her heart raced, not with excitement but with unease. Alexander being here felt too close, too invasive. What if he discovered the truth about her? The tension weighed on her as she sipped her milk, trying to calm herself. She decided she would visit the old mansion tomorrow to see Mr. Vanderbilt Senior and apologize for missing the pickup.

---

In the master bedroom, Alexander heard a knock on the door. His brows furrowed as he rose, wondering if it was Serena. When he opened the door, he saw Aunt Torres standing there, holding a cup of milk.

“Mr. Vanderbilt,” Aunt Torres said politely, “Do you drink milk before bed? Miss Morales has this habit, so I heated a cup for you as well.”

“She’s back?” Alexander asked, his tone sharp.

“Yes, Miss Morales is already asleep,” Aunt Torres replied.

Alexander felt a strange sense of irritation. His wife, whom he hadn’t seen in three years, hadn’t even bothered to greet him. This wasn’t the reaction he had anticipated. Was she playing hard to get?

Taking the milk, he murmured a quiet “thank you” and closed the door. He set the cup on the desk without touching it and returned to his laptop. He didn’t know why, but her indifference left an unsettling feeling in his chest.

---

The next morning, Alexander was the first to come downstairs. The dining room was bathed in soft morning light filtering through the large windows, casting golden hues across the polished wooden floor. Aunt Torres had prepared a Western-style breakfast, complete with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and freshly baked croissants.

Alexander’s sharp gaze swept through the living room, but Serena was nowhere in sight.

“Miss Morales requested not to be disturbed this morning,” Aunt Torres quickly explained, noticing his subtle search.

Alexander’s lips thinned as he sat down at the table. He hadn’t expected her to act so detached. His thoughts drifted to Alfonso’s hospitalization, which he suspected might be exaggerated. Even so, he kept his irritation in check as he ate his breakfast in silence.

Once he was done, he rose and instructed Jonathan, “Pick up some gifts and visit Alfonso at the hospital this afternoon.”

Jonathan nodded as they walked to the car. Alexander cast one last glance at the quiet manor before climbing into the vehicle, his expression unreadable.

---

Moments after Alexander’s departure, Aunt Torres knocked on Serena’s door. Inside, Serena had already finished dressing, waiting for the all-clear.

“He’s gone?” Serena asked, her voice laced with relief.

“Yes, Miss Morales. He just left,” Aunt Torres confirmed.

Serena exhaled and descended the stairs, the tension visibly draining from her shoulders.

“Miss Morales,” Aunt Torres began hesitantly, “If you’re avoiding Mr. Vanderbilt because of Mrs. Vanderbilt’s words, I could speak to the old master about it.”

Serena gave a faint smile and shook her head. “No need, Aunt Torres. You’re not an outsider, so I’ll be honest with you. I don’t like Alexander. I married him for the three billion dollars in funding, and Mrs. Vanderbilt’s dislike for me is understandable. Once my grandfather’s health improves, I plan to divorce him.”

Aunt Torres’s expression softened with sympathy, but she simply nodded, sensing Serena’s conviction.

After a quick breakfast, Serena picked up the carefully wrapped gift she had prepared for Mr. Vanderbilt Senior. It was time to visit the old estate.

---

The Vanderbilt family’s old estate was as grand as ever, with sprawling gardens, towering oaks, and the elegant architecture of a bygone era. The afternoon sun illuminated the marble steps leading to the entrance, where uniformed staff stood ready to assist.

Inside, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. The study, with its floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and intricate Persian rugs, exuded old-world charm. Mr. Vanderbilt Senior sat near a window, a cane resting by his chair. His face lit up when Serena walked in.

“Serena! You finally came,” he exclaimed, rising with the help of his cane.

Serena’s cheeks flushed with guilt as she quickly approached him. “Grandfather, I’m sorry. My father had a sudden health issue yesterday, and I completely lost track of time. I brought you a gift to make up for it.”

She handed him a carefully wrapped scroll. “I remember you saying how much you loved ‘Water Lilies.’ I tried my hand at completing the missing portion. Please don’t laugh at my amateur attempt.”

Mr. Vanderbilt Senior’s eyes lit up with delight. He eagerly unwrapped the scroll, revealing the painting.

The half-scroll he had collected showcased only four figures sitting on a luxurious blanket amidst a rocky landscape. The scene was elegant but incomplete, with three figures missing from the original. Serena’s addition filled in the gaps seamlessly, bringing the painting to life with vibrant colors and intricate details.

“Serena, this is remarkable!” the old man said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. “You’ve done a marvelous job. You’re truly talented.”

Serena blushed under his praise. “I just wanted to give it a try. I’m glad you like it.”

“I don’t just like it—I love it. I’ll have it hung in my study immediately,” he declared, a pleased smile spreading across his face.

As the moment of pride settled, Mr. Vanderbilt Senior’s expression turned thoughtful. “Serena, when do you and Alexander plan to have a child?” 

After Mr. Vanderbilt Senior finished speaking, he coughed softly, his hand moving to cover his mouth. A flicker of discomfort crossed his face, as if he were suppressing an ache within his chest.

Serena watched him closely, worry etched into her delicate features. She knew his health was fragile and didn’t dare to outright refuse his wishes. Instead, she smiled gently, her voice steady. “Grandfather, I’ll make it happen as soon as possible.”

A bright smile spread across Mr. Vanderbilt Senior’s face, lighting up his weathered features. He patted her hand affectionately. “So, you’re willing to have a child with Alexander?”

Serena nodded again, her expression sincere though her heart weighed heavily. “Yes, I’m willing.”

“That’s wonderful!” Mr. Vanderbilt Senior beamed. “Boy or girl, it doesn’t matter. Grandpa will love them all the same.”

Serena carefully steered the conversation away from the topic of children, not wanting to raise his hopes too high. If those expectations were never fulfilled, it could weigh heavily on his already fragile health. She changed the subject with ease, keeping the old man entertained for another hour before politely excusing herself to leave.

As she approached her car, the warm afternoon sunlight glinting off the polished exterior, a familiar voice called out to her.

“Serena? Is that you?”

Serena turned to see Rita, her bright sunglasses perched atop her head. Her surprise was genuine. She hadn’t expected to run into Rita here.

“Rita,” Serena greeted, keeping her tone neutral.

Rita’s lips curled into a playful smile as she gestured toward the old estate. “What are you doing here? Visiting Grandfather?”

Serena quickly concocted an excuse, unwilling to let Rita know too much. “No, I came looking for inspiration. It’s been a while since I painted, and the estate is always so picturesque.”

Rita bought the explanation without hesitation and began to chatter away like a sparrow. “Oh, by the way, did you hear? Farah got released from the police station. Her brother, Paul, pulled some strings to get her out. Ugh, the scandal! And let me tell you, Paul isn’t the type you want to mess with. If I were you, I’d steer clear of him.”

Serena nodded politely, filing away the information. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

Rita shrugged. “Anyway, I have to go in and see Grandfather. But before I forget, my birthday party is the day after tomorrow. It’s going to be here at the old house. Grandfather said it should be grand, and you’re invited!”

Serena’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of the party. Her unease deepened. Before she could respond, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She glanced at the screen and saw that it was Mr. Vanderbilt Senior.

“Serena,” his warm voice came through the phone. “I forgot to tell you earlier, but Rita’s birthday party is the day after tomorrow. You must come, alright?”

Her grip on the phone tightened. She forced a smile, though no one could see it. “Of course, Grandfather. I’ll be there.”

Rita’s grin widened when Serena hung up. “See? You can’t escape now! It’ll be fun, I promise.”

Serena chuckled softly, though unease swirled in her chest. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

As Rita bounded away toward the house, Serena slipped into her car, her thoughts heavy. She could feel the threads of her double life unraveling. The day of the party might be the day her true identity was exposed to the Vanderbilt family.

---

Later that evening, Alexander arrived at the old estate, his steps purposeful and brisk. The family doctor had called to inform him that Mr. Vanderbilt Senior had once again refused to take his medication.

As Alexander stepped into the grand, high-ceilinged hall of the estate, the scent of aged wood and faint lavender greeted him. The old man was seated in his favorite armchair near the window, sunlight casting a golden glow on his silver hair.

“You came just to avoid Serena, didn’t you?” the old man teased with a wry smile. “She was here earlier. If you had come on time, you would’ve crossed paths.”

Alexander frowned, his tone clipped. “Grandfather, I came because the doctor said you weren’t taking your medicine.”

Before Mr. Vanderbilt Senior could retort, Rita entered, carrying a bowl of dark herbal medicine. “Grandfather, here’s your medicine. Now that Cousin Alexander is here, you have no excuse not to take it.”

Reluctantly, the old man took the bowl and drank it in one go, grimacing at the bitterness. Alexander sighed in relief.

But just as the air seemed to calm, Mr. Vanderbilt Senior dropped a bombshell. “Alexander, Serena told me she’s willing to have a child with you. I feel so relieved. You’d better make an effort to impregnate her by the end of the year.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened, his gaze hardening. The woman had gone behind his back to plant such ideas in the old man’s mind? He thought her behavior last night had been reserved, but clearly, she was scheming to manipulate his grandfather.

Rita smirked from the side. “If she’s so eager, Cousin, you’d better keep up. With Grandfather in this condition, she’ll do whatever it takes to please him.”

Alexander shot Rita a chilling glare, silencing her instantly. Turning back to Mr. Vanderbilt Senior, he maintained his composure. “Grandfather, I’ll do my best.”

The old man smiled in satisfaction, taking Alexander at his word. “Good. Now with Rita’s birthday party coming up, it’ll be the perfect time to formally introduce Serena to everyone. Many people in our circle still don’t know what she looks like. She deserves the respect of being acknowledged as part of our family.”

Alexander nodded silently, though irritation flickered in his eyes. He would play along for now.

---

As Alexander left the estate, his mood darkened further. Sliding into the backseat of his car, he instructed Jonathan, “Find out if the Morales family has any significant projects underway. I want them intercepted.”

Jonathan hesitated for a moment but nodded. “Understood, sir.”

The Morales family had no projects large enough to interest the Vanderbilt family. However, their modest ventures, worth around two hundred million, were vital to their survival. Targeting these would deal a heavy blow to them.

“Also,” Alexander added, his tone frosty, “when you visit Alfonso later, remind him to keep his daughter in line.”

Jonathan silently absorbed the command, driving on as Alexander stared out the window, his expression unreadable. He disliked cunning women who thought they could manipulate him. If Serena wanted to play games, she would have to deal with the consequences.

Meanwhile, Serena remained blissfully unaware of the storm Alexander was about to unleash.