Chapter 14: Welcome Home, Mrs. Sterling

"No," Serenity rejected immediately. "I am not moving into your villa, Jackson."

Jackson sat on her small sofa, crossing his long legs comfortably. He looked around the cramped apartment.

"Serenity, look out the window," Jackson pointed lazily.

Serenity walked to the window and peeked through the curtains. Her eyes widened.

Downstairs, dozens of reporters were camping outside her apartment building. Flashlights flickered every time someone walked out. There were even some crazy fans trying to sneak past security.

"You are famous now," Jackson said calmlym, standing up. "My public declaration yesterday made you the target of every gossip magazine in the country. Do you think this flimsy wooden door can protect our children?"

Serenity bit her lip. She knew he was right. Her address was leaked. It was dangerous for Alex and Mia.

"But... we can go to a hotel," Serenity argued weakly.

"A hotel? So strangers can take photos of my kids in the lobby?" Jackson stepped closer, trapping her against the windowsill. His voice was low and magnetic.

"Come back to the villa, Serenity. It has 24-hour security, a private garden, and enough rooms for everyone. It was... it was our home."

Our home.

The word struck a chord in her heart.

"Mommy?" Mia pulled Serenity's sleeve. "Are we going to Daddy's big house? The one with the swimming pool?"

Jackson smirked. He had already bribed the kids.

"Fine," Serenity sighed, defeated. "But we are sleeping in separate rooms. And I pay rent."

Jackson chuckled. "Whatever you say, my dear tenant."

---

An hour later.

A fleet of black SUVs escorted them to the Sterling Villa at the top of the hill.

As the heavy iron gates opened, Serenity felt a wave of nostalgia mixed with pain. The garden was lush and green. The fountain was singing. Nothing had changed in five years.

"Welcome home, Sir. Welcome home, Madam," the old butler, Alfred, stood at the door with tears in his eyes. He had always been kind to her.

"Hello, Alfred," Serenity smiled sadly.

They walked inside.

The interior was exactly as she left it. The grey curtains, the marble floors.

"Your room is upstairs. The Master Bedroom," Jackson said naturally, ordering servants to carry the luggage.

"No," Serenity stopped him. "I said separate rooms. I will take the guest room."

Jackson stopped on the stairs. He turned around, looking at her with deep, unreadable eyes.

"The guest room is currently... under renovation," Jackson lied without blinking.

"What?"

"And the other guest rooms are... dusty. Full of spiders," Jackson continued his shameless lie. "So, you have two choices. Sleep with Mia and Alex in the nursery, or sleep in the Master Bedroom."

"Where will you sleep?" Serenity asked suspiciously.

"I have a couch in my study," Jackson shrugged. "I'll sleep there. The Master Bedroom belongs to the Mistress of the house. That has always been you."

Serenity fell silent.

He was giving her the best room, his room, while he slept on a couch?

"Fine," Serenity gritted her teeth. She marched upstairs, holding the kids' hands.

She opened the door to the Master Bedroom.

She froze.

It wasn't the cold, grey room she remembered.

The walls were repainted a warm cream color. The bedsheets were her favorite silk brand. And on the nightstand... stood a framed photo.

It was a photo of her sleeping, taken secretly five years ago.

"He kept this?" Serenity whispered, her heart trembling.

For five years, he had kept a photo of her by his bed?

"Do you like it?" Jackson appeared behind her, leaning against the doorframe. "I never changed the layout. I just... made it warmer. Waiting for the day you would come back."

Serenity turned around, looking at him. For the first time, she realized how lonely this man must have been in this huge house.

"The couch in the study is uncomfortable," Serenity blurted out before she could stop herself.

Jackson raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Are you inviting me to share the bed, Mrs. Sterling?"

"No!" Serenity blushed furiously. "I meant... you can have the bed. I'll sleep with the kids!"

She grabbed a pillow and tried to run past him.

Jackson caught her arm. He pulled her close, lowering his head until their noses almost touched.

"Running away again?" he whispered.

"I need to check on the kids," Serenity stammered, her heart racing like a drum.

"Go," Jackson let go, his voice raspy. "But remember, Serenity. You are under my roof now. You can run, but you can't hide forever."

As Serenity fled to the nursery, she could hear Jackson's low chuckle echoing in the hallway.

Living with him... was going to be dangerous. Very dangerous for her heart.

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