Chapter 55 Serena, Name Your Price
Serena greeted Lucas first.
Lucas immediately turned away and became deeply interested in plucking leaves from a nearby tree, as if he hadn't heard her.
Serena's expression stiffened.
Seeing so many people carrying furniture and valuables out of the house, she approached Alexander cautiously.
"Alexander, what are they..."
He ignored the question.
"Why are you here?"
Serena glanced toward Lucas and hesitated.
"You two talk," Lucas said.
He had no liking for Serena and left without another word.
Alexander turned toward the butler.
"Carson, move the rest tomorrow."
Carson understood and took the workers away. Gavin returned to the car to wait.
Once everyone had gone, Alexander and Serena entered the living room.
Only then did Serena speak.
"Alexander, your mother came to see me at noon."
Alexander wore black trousers, a white shirt, and black sleeve garters. His sleeves were rolled high enough to reveal his forearms.
He stood before the floor-to-ceiling window with his hands in his pockets, staring at the burned remains in the garden.
Serena watched him carefully.
When he gave no response, she continued.
"Your mother threw Ethan and me out of the apartment. She also threatened me. She said that if you divorce your wife, she won't let me go. Alexander, what am I supposed to do?"
He finally turned.
"Don't worry. My wife and I aren't divorcing. My mother can't threaten you with that."
Resentment flashed through Serena's eyes when she heard him say it again.
She clenched her hands and glanced around the living room.
"You know my mother already lives with my brother and his wife. It was crowded before, and now Ethan and I have had to move back in too. My sister-in-law is very unhappy. This house is going to be empty anyway. Could Ethan and I stay here for a while?"
Alexander refused without hesitation.
"Serena, this is the marital home I share with my wife. Even if no one is living here, it would be inappropriate for you to move in."
Serena lowered her head.
"I'm sorry. I was only asking. Don't take it seriously."
Alexander walked toward her and studied her for a moment.
His tone became serious.
"Serena, I know you've suffered because of me. I know you've sacrificed a great deal, and I know raising a child alone hasn't been easy. I haven't ignored any of that."
He paused.
"But you've seen how my family treats you. If this continues, it will only become worse for everyone."
Then he said, "Serena, name your price. I'll give you enough money to take Ethan somewhere else and start over. That's better for everyone."
Serena stared at him.
Her knees suddenly weakened and she dropped onto the sofa.
She had believed Elsa leaving the country was finally her opportunity.
She had never imagined Alexander would try to pay her to leave Saintville instead.
Before she spoke, tears appeared in her eyes.
"Alexander, I was separated from my family for six years because of you. I only just came home. Can you really be cruel enough to make me leave them again?"
"Your family can come with you," Alexander replied. "I'll make sure none of you has to worry about money in this lifetime—or the next."
Serena shot to her feet.
Her voice, however, remained soft.
"Alexander, I've been sick for so long that I haven't been able to work. Yes, I've accepted your help. But once I recover, I'll find a job. I never wanted your money, and I never wanted to destroy your marriage. Please don't do this to me."
Alexander's expression turned complicated.
"You can stay. But if you do, I have to explain Ethan's identity to my wife. I can't let her keep believing what she believes about us."
Serena staggered backward.
"You tell your wife Ethan isn't your child—and then what?"
Her emotions surged.
"Then your wife tells everyone Serena Whitmore failed to marry into wealth six years ago, was driven out of the country, spent six years being beaten and raped by her husband, gave birth to a child, lost that husband, and came back shamelessly demanding that you take responsibility for both of us?"
Her voice rose.
"Then your family learns Ethan isn't yours and 'deals with' us the same way they dealt with me six years ago?"
Tears streamed down her face.
"If that's what you're planning, you might as well kill me now!"
She gave Alexander no chance to answer and ran out of the house.
She had spent six years planning and enduring everything necessary to return to Alexander's side.
There was no possibility she would leave now.
That night, Alexander was in his newly purchased apartment in the luxury bay district.
He lived on the ninth floor.
Lucas lived on the thirteenth.
Lucas walked through the new home, inspecting everything.
"You can decorate this place exactly like the old marital home and hang your wedding portrait on every wall. Elsa still won't care."
Alexander ignored him and arranged the matching his-and-hers toiletries he had bought in the bathroom.
Lucas leaned against the doorframe.
"No woman is going to tolerate her husband keeping an ex-girlfriend and what she believes is their child close by. If you actually want Elsa back, tell her the truth."
Alexander said nothing.
Lucas narrowed his eyes.
"Don't tell me Serena cried a few tears and you went soft again."
Alexander sounded irritated.
"It isn't about going soft. If my grandfather learns Ethan isn't mine, he'll do what he did six years ago. He won't hesitate to go after Serena and the boy."
Lucas folded his arms.
"There are millions of people in this country. Why does your grandfather target her and no one else?"
Alexander fell silent.
Lucas answered for him.
"Because she wants something from you. Because she'll interfere with your family and threaten your future."
"Serena isn't that kind of person."
Alexander defended her automatically.
"Her health is poor. She came back partly because she missed her family and partly for Ethan. She wanted a familiar place to raise him. Returning home wasn't about me."
He continued, "Six years ago, she ended things for the sake of my future. Grandfather forced her out of the country, and she was forced into a marriage. Those six years were hell, but she never once came to me for help. She sacrificed too much because of me.
She only asked for help now because she has Ethan. I can't abandon them."
Lucas looked at him.
"So Elsa deserves to absorb all the consequences?"
At Elsa's name, Alexander's eyes shifted.
He was quiet for a long time.
"Elsa was spoiled from childhood. After she married me, I never let her suffer materially or allowed anyone to mistreat her. I thought I treated her well."
He paused.
"Serena is different. Her family was ordinary. She grew up sensible. She suffered because of me and gambled away the happiness of her entire life. I can't simply stand by and do nothing."
At that moment, the phone on the sink vibrated.
Alexander glanced at the unfamiliar number and rejected the call.
The instant his phone stopped ringing, Lucas's began.
The two men exchanged a look.
Lucas answered.