She Came Back

Later that evening, Sera freshened up and changed into a simple nightdress, but the events of the night had clearly taken their toll on her. The argument with Adrian had left her drained, and even after she had washed away the tears from her face, the mention of Celine continued to unsettle her. 

Just hearing her name after all these years was enough to send a shiver through Sera. She had never wished her stepsister harm, and she had never stopped carrying the weight of what happened to her, but Celine's return could only mean one thing: the little peace Sera had managed to hold on to was about to disappear.

 She walked toward the large bedroom window and stood there for a while, staring out at the grounds of Adrian's mansion. The property was enormous, surrounded by tall iron gates, trimmed hedges, towering trees and rows of security lights that illuminated the long driveway leading to the main entrance.

A car suddenly passed through the gates, drawing Sera's attention. It was a sleek black Bentley Bentayga, followed closely by another dark vehicle. The security guards at the entrance stepped aside as the cars moved deeper into the compound, their headlights sweeping briefly across the front of the mansion before disappearing from her view. 

Sera remained by the window, watching until she could no longer see them. She could not tell who was inside, but something about the arrival made her uneasy. After a moment, she left the bedroom and hurried downstairs, her footsteps quiet against the polished floor. When she reached the entrance hall, she slowed down and approached the main door carefully.

She did not open it. Instead, Sera stood behind the glass panel beside the door and peered outside, keeping herself hidden from whoever might be approaching. The vehicles had stopped somewhere beyond the front courtyard, and from where she stood, she could only make out the faint movement of people near them. She held her breath, watching through the glass as one of the car doors opened.

The figure that stepped out of the Bentley was a woman, and the moment Sera recognized her, the color drained from her face. Celine stood beside the car as though she had never been gone at all, dressed elegantly with one hand resting lightly on Adrian's arm as he stood closely besides her.

 For several seconds, Sera did not move. Her body seemed frozen in place, her fingers trembling against the door as she stared at the two people standing outside. 

Celine looked different from the girl Sera remembered, but there was no mistaking her face. She had really returned. Sera's breathing became shallow, and before she could think of what to do, she turned abruptly toward the door, intending to leave before either of them noticed her. Her hand had barely reached the handle when Adrian's voice stopped her.

“Where are you going?” he asked, his tone carrying a faint amusement. Sera froze. She slowly turned around, and Adrian was already looking directly at her. He walked toward the entrance with Celine beside him, his expression hardening as he noticed Sera's shaken state. “You look like you've seen a ghost,” he remarked coldly.

 “What happened? Weren't you the one who always insisted that you had nothing to hide?” Sera swallowed and forced herself to stand properly. “I wasn't going anywhere. I just thought...” Her voice faltered. Adrian's gaze remained fixed on her. “You thought what?” Before Sera could answer, Celine stepped forward, her lips curving into a soft smile that did nothing to hide the sharpness in her eyes.

“Sister,” Celine said sweetly. “Long time.” Sera's lips parted, but no words came. Celine tilted her head, studying her from head to toe. “You don't look happy to see me.” 

She gave a small laugh. “I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. After all, you probably thought I would never come back.” Sera shook her head quickly. “Celine, that's not true. I never wished anything bad for you.” Her voice was careful, almost pleading. “I'm glad you're well. I'm really glad.” 

Celine's smile remained, but it did not reach her eyes. “Are you?” she asked. “Because the last time I saw you, I was the one lying helpless in a hospital bed, and you were the one who continued living as though nothing had happened.” Sera's face tightened. “I never forgot what happened to you.” “Of course you didn't,” Celine replied softly. “How could you? You were there.” 

The words were simple, but they carried enough accusation to make Sera's fingers curl against her dress.

Adrian moved closer, his attention shifting between them. “That's enough,” he said, though his voice held no real warning toward Celine. Instead, his eyes settled on Sera. “Celine has just returned after years away. The last thing she needs is you making this difficult.” Sera immediately shook her head. “I'm not trying to make anything difficult. I just want her to be comfortable.” “Then act like it,” Adrian replied. 

Celine looked between them before gently touching Adrian's arm. “Don't be angry with her. Maybe she really is happy that I'm back.” Her voice was calm, almost forgiving, which somehow made Sera look even more guilty. “I don't want any trouble, Sera. I didn't come back to fight with you.” Sera nodded quickly. “Neither do I. You can stay here. You're welcome.” Celine's brows lifted slightly. “Here?” she repeated. Sera hesitated, then forced a small smile. “Yes. This is your home too, if you need somewhere to stay.”

Adrian answered before Celine could. “She won't be staying anywhere else.” He glanced at Sera, his expression unreadable for a moment before he continued, “Celine will stay in our room.” Sera's face went still. Celine looked at Adrian with surprise, then lowered her eyes as though embarrassed by his decision. “Adrian, you don't have to do that.” “I already decided,” he said firmly. “You've been away long enough. You don't need to sleep in a guest room like a stranger.” 

Sera's fingers tightened together as she stood silently at the entrance. “Of course,” she managed to say. “Whatever makes her comfortable.” Celine looked at her and smiled. “Thank you, sister.” The word sounded almost affectionate, but Sera's eyes dropped to the floor.

The evening slowly descended into an uncomfortable silence after that. Celine settled into the mansion as though she had never left, while Adrian remained close to her, answering her questions and making sure she had everything she needed. Sera stayed mostly quiet, helping where she could and retreating whenever the conversation became too painful. Later, after the house had finally gone quiet, she returned to her room alone.

 The events of the day replayed through the expressions, words and silences she had witnessed, leaving her exhausted. She sat on the edge of the bed for a long while before finally lying down, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. The weight of everything seemed to settle over her at once. Eventually, exhaustion overcame her, and Sera fell asleep without knowing that the return she had feared most was only the beginning.

Early the next morning, Sera woke with another wave of nausea that forced her out of bed. She hurried into the bathroom and stayed there until the sickness finally eased. 

It has been happening more often lately, usually in the mornings, along with unusual tiredness and a constant need for sleep. She had not mentioned it to anyone. With everything that had happened since Celine returned, blaming the symptoms on stress seemed easier than considering anything else. Her marriage was falling apart, Celine had returned after years away, and Adrian's attitude toward her had become colder than ever.

 There was already too much weighing on her, and she did not need another problem.

After getting dressed, Sera picked up her handbag and quietly left the mansion without telling anyone where she was going. A cab was waiting outside the gate, and she quickly got inside, giving the driver the address of a hospital in Manhattan.

 As the car moved through the morning traffic, she sat quietly in the back seat, occasionally pressing a hand against her stomach when another uncomfortable sensation passed through her. The nausea, weakness, and exhaustion could easily be explained by everything she had been going through. 

She had barely been eating properly, barely sleeping, and the emotional strain of the past few days had left her drained. Stress had to be the reason.

The cab eventually pulled up outside a private hospital in Manhattan, where the morning rush was already underway. Sera stepped inside and made her way through the busy lobby, surrounded by patients, visitors, nurses, and doctors moving through the corridors. After briefly explaining that she had been experiencing repeated nausea, weakness, and unusual fatigue, she was directed to a consultation room. 

A female doctor, Dr. Evelyn Carter, attended to her shortly afterward, asking several questions before conducting a brief examination.

“Have you been experiencing nausea mostly in the morning?” Dr. Carter asked as she reviewed the information in front of her.

“Yes,” Sera answered. “Mostly in the morning. I've also been feeling very tired lately.” Dr. Carter nodded and requested a few routine tests. 

A nurse collected the necessary samples before Sera returned to the examination room to wait. She expected the doctor to tell her that exhaustion or stress was responsible, and for several minutes, she sat quietly with her handbag resting beside her. 

When Dr. Carter eventually returned, however, the doctor's expression was noticeably more serious. She closed the door behind her, took a seat opposite Sera, and placed the file on the desk.

Sera immediately straightened. “Is something wrong?”

Dr. Carter looked at the results once more before meeting her eyes. “Mrs. Cole, there's something in your results that we need to discuss.”

Sera's brows drew together. “What is it?”

The doctor paused for a moment, then gently closed the file in front of her.

“There is something you should know first…”