Home Isn't Where I Left It

Chapter 10: Home Isn't Where I Left It

The soreness still lingered in her limbs from the night before last, but it was nothing compared to the itch under her skin — the ache to see her family.

She didn’t wait for breakfast. She dressed quickly in jeans, a simple blouse, and one of Lucian’s jackets that still smelled like him. As she tiptoed down the hall, Mona appeared from the kitchen doorway.

“Miss Vale? Do you need something?”

“I need to step out for a bit,” Serena said, rushing past her before Mona could stop her.

Mona couldn't say anything, Her face was unreadable as always, but Serena didn’t miss the subtle tension in her posture. There was always a line that couldn’t be crossed and Serena was finally stepping over it.

Outside, she called for a ride and gave the driver an address she hadn’t said aloud in weeks: her mother’s old apartment. The place she had left behind the night everything changed.

The drive was silent.

Her stomach twisted with guilt. She hadn’t called. Hadn’t checked in. But deep down, she’d told herself they’d be there maybe angry, maybe confused but still there. Still home.

The car slowed on a familiar street lined with crooked sidewalks. Memories rose unbidden. Her little brother, chasing a soccer ball. Her sister painting her nails on the porch steps. Her mother’s voice in the garden.

She stepped out slowly.

The building looked the same. Maybe a bit cleaner.

And then she saw him.

“Serena!”

Mr. Keller, emerged from the gate, wearing his usual mismatched clothes and hat. He looked exactly as she remembered, only now he had a grin stretched so wide it nearly reached his ears.

“My dear! Look at you. How have you been?

Serena stopped. Stared.

“Mr. Keller?”

“You’re glowing, girl. Marriage suits you,” he said with a wink.

Marriage?

She took a breath. “I didn’t think you’d be happy to see me. I mean… I left without paying, and—”

He waved her off. “Forget about that. It’s all settled. Your husband made sure of it.”

Her blood ran cold. “My… husband?”

“Tall man. Cold eyes. Classy suit. Sent his men a couple of weeks back. They paid off everything. Gave me extra for the trouble. Told me you were finally being taken care of the way you deserve.”

She blinked. “Wait… what do you mean? My family? Where are they?”

He chuckled, wiping his hands on his pants. “Moved out. About sixteen days ago. Men in black suits came with a moving van. Said you sent them.

Serena’s knees nearly gave.

“I… I didn’t send anyone.

Mr. Keller frowned. “You didn’t?”

“No.”

He looked genuinely confused now. “Well, they said they were from you. From your husband. Had the lease canceled and everything. Told me to keep quiet about it until you came around.”

Her mouth went dry.

She gripped the metal fence to steady herself. “Did they say where they were taking them?”

He shook his head.

Serena forced a smile and nodded, stepping back slowly.

“Thanks, Mr. Keller. I… I have to go.”

She turned and walked quickly, her heart pounding in her ears.

Lucian had moved her family. Without telling her.

Her feet moved before her mind could catch up. She found herself wandering the nearby park — the one where she used to bring her siblings after school. She sat on a rusted bench and stared at the pond, her hands trembling.

Was it protection… or control?

Did Lucian do it because he cared?

Or because he didn’t trust her?

Either way, she felt the walls tightening again.

Her next stop was the hospital — the small public clinic where her mother had been admitted. Her pulse raced as she walked up to the reception desk.

“I’m here to see Celeste Vale. She’s my mother.”

The nurse tapped the keys, frowned, then glanced up. “She’s not here anymore.”

Serena stiffened. “What do you mean she’s not here?

“She was transferred. Sixteen days ago.

Her blood froze. “Transferred? To where?”

“I… I don’t have access to that information. The order came from above.”

“Above?” she echoed, voice rising. “Are you telling me you let strangers move my mother without confirming with her family?”

A different nurse appeared. “Ma’am, please calm down. The patient’s records were handled through an official request. Clearance was signed. It was all very… high-level.”

“High-level?” Serena snapped. “This is my mother! You don’t get to just hand her over to strangers because they wear a suit and bark orders!”

The front desk staff flinched. One of them stepped back as security hovered nearby.

And then it hit her.

Sixteen days ago.

Her breath caught.

That was the day.

The day she signed the contract with Lucian Devlin.

The Devil.

She staggered back, chest heaving.

He did this. He moved them all. Without saying a word.

She didn’t wait for answers. She stormed out of the hospital, caught a cab, and ordered the driver to take her home.

No. Not home. Not anymore.

Back to him.

Back to the man who had taken everything — her body, her name, and now, her family.

He was going to give her answers.

---

Back in the east wing, Lucian stood in front of the window, staring at the trees. The morning breeze carried the scent of pine and damp earth.

Dr. Langston arrived a few minutes later, carrying a leather folder and that same patient smile he always wore.

“You look like a man who just made a difficult decision,” Langston said as he settled into the armchair

Lucian didn’t look at him. “She left the house this morning.”

“Did she tell you where she was going?”

“No.

Langston tilted his head. “And how does that make you feel?”

Lucian gave a humorless smile. “Irritated.”

“Because she didn’t tell you… or because you let her?”

Lucian didn’t answer.

“She needed to see them,” Langston said gently.

“I already made sure her family’s safe. They’re somewhere better. Quiet. Secure.”

“But she doesn’t know that,” Langston said. “Which means in her mind, you’ve taken something without asking.”

Lucian turned away from the window. “If I tell her now, she’ll run.”

Langston met his eyes. “If you don’t, she’ll run anyway.”

Lucian said nothing.

“She’s not Beverley,” Langston added quietly.

That name cut through the room like ice.

“I know,” Lucian said. “That’s what scares me.”

Langston stood. “You can’t protect her from the truth. And you can’t protect yourself from her. Not if this is real.”

Lucian watched the trees sway outside.

---

By the time she got back to the estate, the sky had darkened slightly. She hadn’t texted. Hadn’t called. But the gates opened, as if someone had been watching.

Mona was waiting near the steps.

Serena didn’t speak.

She walked past her and into the house, her face blank

“Miss Vale

“Where is he?” Serena asked.

“In his wing.”

“I want to see him.”

Mona hesitated. “He may not be ready—”

Serena turned, voice hard. “Then he better get ready.”