All Chapters of The Lies Behind Her Marriage: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The Last Time.Four years ago.“Honey,” Nathaniel murmured as he turned to her, “If we ever have a daughter, I want her to be like you… gentle, kind, and with the same way of seeing the world.”Serena chuckled, the sound small and warm. She lay in his arms, her head resting against his chest as they

Prognosis.Over four months ago, Nathaniel learned that his mother had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. He couldn't accept it. Nathaniel had lost his father at a young age. He couldn’t lose his mother too.The discovery pushed their plans forward, and not in the way he had entirely hoped fo

Mother’s Will.“Well, lovers don’t have to be carved together. Friends do too. Let’s make our own memories,” Alice encouraged, squeezing Serena’s hands.Serena smiled. “Yes, you’re right. This day doesn’t have to end with a bad memory.”The two friends said at the same time, “Let’s look for a tree.”

The Blood Type.Serena was deep in thought while driving back to the city proper. Just then, her phone rang. When she saw the name flashing on her screen, her heart skipped a beat. She ended up stomping on the brakes a little too abruptly.She pulled over on the roadside, watching as her phone continued buzzing.It was Nathaniel.He still called, so Serena decided to answer it. However, she didn’t say anything. She simply listened.“I spoke to my mother,” Nathaniel said, his voice low and unbearably calm. “She was the one who ordered the unofficial blacklist. We struck a deal, and I’ve revoked it. My word is good enough. You should be able to apply for work in Velmon City now. Alternatively, you can work—”Nathaniel still had more to say, but Serena ended the call anyway. She had already decided she would leave after the divorce was finalized.Although learning about her mother’s will still angered her, the day wasn’t entirely bad. When Serena arrived at Alice’s apartment, she receive

The Study.Serena clutched her chest tightly. “God, no.”She hadn’t realized it yet, but she had been in the basement for fifteen minutes.The memory of that trauma left her rooted to her place, her limbs weakening.She recalled how she was still too young when it happened, and she didn’t deserve such treatment. If it wasn’t for the series of therapies the social service worker had enforced, Serena would not have been able to recover emotionally.Serena never spoke about her childhood experience, not to Nathaniel and not to most people. Only Alice knew. It was during her first year of college retreat that she opened up to her best friend about her parents. A part of her had learned to carry it like a stain, something she shouldn’t talk about, something that made her feel small and different.She was ashamed to be a child who was unloved. “Serena, calm down,” she muttered, dragging her mind back to the present.She prayed.She touched her belly and reminded herself why she needed to g