Se connecterNathan was silent for a few seconds after I told him we could discuss whatever he wanted over the phone.Then he spoke.“Serena, I’m sorry.”I didn’t respond.“I know I’ve already apologized, but I need you to hear me properly this time. What I did was wrong. I entered your room while you were sleeping, and I crossed a boundary you trusted me enough to have.”My jaw tightened.“I shouldn’t have touched you. I shouldn’t have been there. There is no excuse for it.”I stared at the papers on my desk. Nathan continued.“I’m not going to blame jealousy or confusion. I made that choice, and I have to accept it.”I was quiet.“I understand if you don’t want to speak to me again,” he said. “I understand if you never trust me the same way again.”His words caught me off guard. I had expected him to defend himself or blame his jealousy. Instead, he was taking responsibility.“I hurt you and your trust. I’m truly sorry, Serena.”I leaned back in my chair.“You know what makes this worse?” I aske
I kept my eyes on the man at the back of the room for another second.Something about his expression bothered me, but I wasn’t going to turn my meeting into an interrogation. Not today. I leaned toward Emma and whispered,“Get me his details later.”She followed my eyes and nodded.“Okay.”I turned back to the staffs. “That’s all for now. Get back to work.”The room slowly came alive again. People began talking as they left, but I stayed where I was until most of them had gone. Emma came beside me. “You handled that well.”“Why do you think I won't?”“You looked tired.”“I am tired.”She smiled gently. “Then go and be a mother for a while.”I laughed softly. “That sounds better than being a CEO.”We walked back to my office. The moment I opened the door, Lila ran toward me.“Mommy!”I bent down and caught her in my arms. Elias came running behind her.“Mommy, look!”He held up a toy car. “You like it?” He nodded proudly. “It’s very fast.”Lila pulled my hand. “Come and see what we m
I walked back into the guard’s room after Adrian left. He was awake, but his eyes looked tired.“You called me back,” I said.He nodded slowly. “I did.”“The doctor told you to rest.”“I know. I only need a few minutes.”I pulled the chair closer. “What is it?”He looked at me for a moment before speaking. “Give Adrian another chance.”I froze. “What?”“I’m not telling you to forgive him today. I’m saying you should think about giving him another chance.”I stared at him. “You were the one who warned me not to fall in love with him.”“I know.”“You told me I would regret it.”“I still remember saying that.”“Then why are you changing your mind?”He took a slow breath. “Because I saw something in him today that I didn’t see years ago.”“What did you see?”“Regret.”I remained quiet.“He didn’t come here to defend himself. He didn’t blame anyone. He admitted what he did to me was wrong.”“He hurt you.”“Yes. And I haven’t forgotten that.”“Then how can you ask me to trust him?”“I’m not
Serena walked away from the hospital room without looking back.Adrian was letf in the hallway again. He watched her disappear around the corner, then looked through the glass window in the guard’s door. The man was lying quietly, his eyes closed.Adrian’s mind was somewhere else. The moment he had seen that face, he had remembered. The Laurent mansion. The night Serena escaped. The gate. The guard standing there. The anger that had taken control of him.Adrian closed his eyes. He remembered dragging the man outside and ordering the other guards to beat him. He remembered the man begging for another chance. He remembered not caring. At the time, all Adrian could think about was Serena. Now, years later, the memory made his stomach turn.He pushed the door open. The guard opened his eyes. When he saw Adrian, his expression changed. Neither man spoke. Adrian walked closer to the bed.“I remember you now.”The guard stared at him.“I knew you would.”Adrian pulled a chair closer but did
The doctor rushed into the room with Adrian behind him. “What happened?” the doctor asked. “He suddenly started coughing,” I said. The doctor moved to the guard. He checked his breathing, looked at the wound, and asked him a few questions. “Does it hurt when you breathe?” The guard nodded. The doctor prepared an injection. “This should help him relax and ease the discomfort.” After giving him the injection, the doctor adjusted the pillow behind his head. “You need to lie down and rest. You have lost a lot of strength.” The guard tried to protest, but the doctor stopped him. “No talking for now.” He looked at me. “Let him rest. You can come back later.” I nodded. Adrian opened the door for the doctor. I followed them, but before I could leave, I felt fingers close around my hand. I turned. The guard was holding me. “Serena.” I looked at him. “I’m not done.” The doctor frowned. “You really need to rest.” “Just a few minutes.” The doctor sighed. “A few minutes. Then you sl
My heart began pounding. After everything that happened, the guard was finally awake. And wants to tell me the reason he took that bullet for me. I was still holding the phone when I looked at Adrian. “The guard is awake,” I said. Adrian’s expression changed. “The guard?” I nodded. “The doctor said he regained consciousness. He’s asking for me.” For a moment, neither of us spoke. After everything that had happened at the warehouse, I never expected to hear that voice again. I had watched him take a bullet meant for me. Before that, he had looked at me with so much anger that I had believed every word he said. Now he was asking for me. “I need to go,” I said. Adrian picked up his jacket. “I’m coming with you.” I looked at him. “You don’t have to.” “I know.” His voice was firm. “I’m still coming.” We left the boardroom without another word. The drive to the hospital felt longer than usual. I sat quietly, staring through the window. My mind kept going back to the warehouse. Y
He smiled. Soft. Warm. Almost boyish. “There you are,” he murmured. My heart dropped. Because even now… He still thought I was Lia. He stepped in, jacket already off, shirt partially unbuttoned, the scent of whiskey and cologne clinging to him. His movements were unstable from drinking, but ther
The days before the wedding passed like a blur I couldn’t escape. People moved in and out of the house carrying fabrics, jewelry, flowers, and invitations while I stood in the middle of it all feeling completely detached. Measurements were taken and dresses were fitted. Every room was filled with
“There’s a family willing to help us,” my mother explained quickly. “Very powerful. Very wealthy. But they have conditions.”My stomach tightened. “What kind of conditions?” I asked.My sister let out a soft, shaky breath. “They want their son to be married so that they can get a grandchild out of
That night, I sat alone in the vast bedroom that wasn’t mine, wearing a white light robe they had given me after the wedding with no panties under. My hands were clenched so tightly in my lap that my nails left little crescent marks on my palms. I felt nervous.The door opened.He stepped in, jacke







