Chapter 4

(Serena's POV)

"Your condition is worsening."

I sighed as I continued cleaning the table. Today morning, Ryle took me for diagnosis and the doctors claimed that my condition is worsening and soon I will be needing an operation.

How easy it is for a doctor to say that everything will be alright, it is just a matter of a tiny operation.

But the only issue in having an operation is the expenses. Whoever quoted the statement health is wealth must have been a fool because in today's world, health needs wealth.

My expenses are already high with the therapies, diagnosis, psychiatric medicines, the other medicines, bills, and food and I have only one job to sustain all needs then over it, how can I have an operation?

"That's all for today honey. You can go now."

Lily's cheerful voice broke my trail of thoughts. I looked back at her and nodded. I quickly made my way to the staff room, removed my apron, and picked up my bag to leave.

As soon as I got out of the cafe, I saw a black Porsche standing in one corner. I decided to ignore it but the person who came out of the car made it difficult for me to ignore.

My dearest ex-husband made his way to me, dressed in all black. A smirk was plastered on his perfect red lips while he ran a hand through his jet-black hair.

He stood in front of me towering my 5 feet 3 inch height.

"Good evening, my love.", he said softly while adoration was swimming in his blue eyes.

"Evening," I said emotionlessly as I felt empty at that moment. Depression is just like a black hole that sucks everything till nothing remains.

"Actually--" he started but I cut him off.

"You see Mr. Walton, it's almost sunset and I need to reach home before it's getting dark," I said softly as I looked at the disappearing sun.

He chuckled softly and cooed, "Aw, is my wife scared of the dark."

"I am not your wife." I snapped at him as exhaustion was taking over my body.

Marcus's smile fell and I was sure that for a moment I could see hurt in his eyes but he masked it quickly.

"Well according to my knowledge, it will be dark in the next ten minutes whereas it will be a 20-minute walk to your house," he said while rubbing his fingers on his razor-sharp jaw, a thing he always does when he is thinking.

I sighed as I cursed internally for wasting my time with him.

"Then I guess I need to leave quickly," I said as I turned in the other direction with an aim to jog to my home. Yes, if I move faster I will make it back home before dusk.

"Wait," he said as he grabbed my hand, his touch was enough to make me flinch. Those monsters have almost made me so sensitive to the touch. Even at moments, I don't let Ryle touch me. Marcus made an apologetic face, though I knew questions were roaming in his thick skull.

I groaned and asked, "What?"

"Well, I will drive you to your house as I have something to discuss with you," he said politely. Before I could deny his offer, he continued with a very serious face. "Don't you think of refusing, otherwise, I will carry you and throw you in my car instead," he said in a husky tone that made a shiver ran down my spine. Though, I couldn't justify if it was fear or excitement.

I sighed because I knew he was capable of doing this, he had done it in the past. Also, the sun was fast disappearing so it was better to go with him in the car.

I nodded my head and followed him to his Porsche. He opened the door for me and I hopped in. He, himself then got inside of the car. I put on my seatbelt and waited for him to bring the car to life.

He then started the car but after 5 minutes I noticed him going in the other direction.

"This is not the way to my home," I said quickly.

"Actually this way is better, we will face less jam. Also, I get to share more time with you. Just trust me." He said in his deep velvety voice.

"I have paid for trusting you once," I said mostly to myself but somehow he managed to hear me.

"Mi amore--" he started with regret etched on his perfectly sculpted face but I cut him off.

"Don't talk about the past as it brings bad memories to me," I whispered as I shuddered in fear thinking about those monsters.

Then the car came to a stop, I looked around to find he has stopped at an ice cream parlor.

"Ice cream," he said giving his breathtaking smile.

He knew too well that ice cream is something I can never say no to. Before I could say anything, he got out of his car and had already opened the door for me.

I got out of the car and for the first time since I have shifted to New York, I was out in the dark.

Is it fine?

Will something go wrong?

No... It's beautiful.

But.. What if those monsters will find me?

However, I didn't know that New York is so beautiful at night.

Words encircled me to an extent of suffocation. Thus, I decided to shut my thoughts.

But it is a very hard task.

A chilled breeze hit me and I wrapped my arms around myself.

Something to distract me. I felt a big jacket being dragged over my shoulder. I looked at Marcus with a questioning look.

"Now, what kind of husband will I be if I left my amore cold," he said politely.

"We are divorced." I reminded him as we went inside the parlor.

The jacket smelled like him, the sweet smell of dew along with his masculine smell. I put my tiny hands in his large jacket trying to take as much warmth as I could after which I muttered a thank you to him.

I choose cookie dough flavor whereas he went for chocolate. Taking our ice creams we sat at an empty stop.

I could feel the eyes of a lot of girls on Callum. But he was just staring at me as if trying to figure out something.

"You never feared dark then why now?" he asked in a serious tone.

I shook my head as I was not able to form words.

How do I explain to him that I do not fear the darkness but rather the monsters that roam freely in the dark?

It was also one such night--

No Serena, don't go there...

"Why are you still here, when you already know I have a boyfriend," I said trying to change the topic.

"Really, a boyfriend," he said in a mocking tone. Before I could say anything he continued. "Ryle Jacobs, age 28, works in a publishing house, only family member is his mom, Martha Jacobs, and is surprisingly gay," he said while intently looking into my eyes.

"H-How do you..." I asked with my eyes wide.

"Don't forget baby, I have always my ways," he said while smirking.

"What do you want?" I asked now extremely frustrated at him and his so-called ways.

"You," he said in such a husky voice that my cheeks turned crimson and I tried to hide my blush from him by putting my face in my hands.

"Don't hide from me, you know I love it when you blush," he said while chuckling.

I looked up at his face and the words he said to me that day echoed in my mind.

---

"You slut."

"Filthy women."

"Get out!"

---

Soon, my face became emotionless and I stated the truth both for him and even for my pathetic self, "I am not your wife anymore and we are already divorced. I have nothing to do with you so just leave me alone."

He sighed but soon he looked at me with mischief shining in his eyes.

"I think it's time to make a deal."

Oh boy!