Semua Bab I’m Back, Mr. CEO : Bab 161 - Bab 170

**LUCAS POV**I wait until Serena falls asleep.She’s curled up on her couch, exhausted from the day’s events, her face finally peaceful after hours of tension. I cover her with a blanket, make sure her phone is on silent, and slip out of the penthouse as quietly as I can.I shouldn’t be doing this. I know I shouldn’t.Serena would be furious if she knew. She’d tell me she can handle this herself, that she doesn’t need a man fighting her battles, that confronting Adrian will only make things worse.But watching that video, seeing him force himself on her, seeing the fear and anger in her eyes before she slapped him, something in me broke.I’ve been patient. Understanding. The good guy who respects boundaries and lets her make her own choices.But there’s a line. And Adrian crossed it the moment he put his hands on her without permission.I know where he lives. Found his address through a contact at my company, someone who knows someone who knows the Moore family. It’s a penthouse in T

**SERENA POV**I’m at Clara’s apartment before noon, clutching a bottle of wine and needing my best friend more than air.She takes one look at my face and pulls me inside. “Okay, spill. Everything. Don’t leave out a single detail.”We settle on her couch, and it all comes pouring out. Adrian showed up at my building. The forced kiss. The slap. The police called. Lucas confronts Adrian (which I’m still processing). And finally, this morning. The pancakes. The invitation to Sunday dinner. The confession that I’m falling in love with Lucas.Clara is silent through all of it, her expressions ranging from fury to pride to absolute delight.When I finish, she sets down her wine glass very carefully.“Okay. First of all, I’m going to Adrian’s place and setting his car on fire.”“Clara—”“I’m kidding. Mostly.” She grabs my hands. “Serena, he assaulted you. You know that, right? That’s what that was. Assault.”“I know. I’m filing the restraining order today.”“Good. Because if he comes near y

“Never. So when he called and said he was bringing you and your son, well.” She looks at me now, eyes shining. “I knew you were special. And looking at him out there, the way he keeps glancing at the kitchen to make sure you’re okay, I can see why.”“I’m not, I mean, I’m kind of a mess—”“Aren’t we all?” She laughs. “Honey, I’ve been married for thirty-six years. I’ve raised four kids. I’ve been through more messes than I can count. And let me tell you something: the right person doesn’t care about your mess. They just help you clean it up.”Tears prick my eyes, and she notices immediately.“Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?”“No. You said something exactly right.” I wipe my eyes. “Sorry. I’m not usually this emotional.”“Big steps are emotional. Meeting the family is huge.” She touches my arm gently. “But you don’t have to be nervous. We already love you just because Lucas loves you. That’s how it works in this family.”Before I can respond, Lucas appears in the door

“He’s been having some health issues. Nothing life-threatening,” she adds quickly, hearing my sharp intake of breath. “But he’s been in and out of doctors’ appointments all week and I think, I think it’s been worse than he’s letting on.”“What kind of health issues?” Clara asks when I can’t find words.“I don’t know all the details. He’s really private about it. But Mom’s been worried, and when I talked to her this morning, she said she was trying to convince him to go to the hospital.”Hospital.The word echoes in my head, drowning out everything else.“Where is he now?” I manage to ask.“At his secret apartment, I think? But Serena, he really didn’t want you to know. He’s been so stressed about not being, I don’t know, not being strong for you or something—”“That’s ridiculous.” The words come out sharp. “Where is he now? I need the address.”“I’m texting it to you now.” Sarah sounds relieved, like she’s been wanting to tell someone. “And Serena? I’m glad he has you. He’s been tryin

“Can we see him?” Catherine asks.“Soon. He’s being moved to a room now. But I need to warn you, he’s on pretty strong pain medication, so he may be drowsy or disoriented.” Dr. Patel stands. “A nurse will come get you when he’s settled.”She leaves, and the three of us sit in stunned silence.“A year,” I finally say. “He’s been dealing with this for a year and never said anything.”“He wouldn’t.” Catherine wipes her eyes. “When he was diagnosed, he made us all promise not to make a big deal out of it. Said he didn’t want to be defined by being sick.”“But we’re not just anyone—” I start, then stop. Because I sound like a hypocrite. How many months did I hide my pain from everyone? How long did I pretend to be fine when I was falling apart?Lucas was doing the same thing. Protecting the people he loved by suffering alone.“This is my fault,” I whisper.“No.” James’s voice is firm. “This is a medical condition. This is not your fault.”“But he stopped taking his medication because he wa