Chapter 256

Serena's POV

When I opened my eyes, night had already fallen. I'd learned that giving in to passion could indeed be endless, consuming every moment until time lost all meaning.

I shifted slightly in bed, immediately sensing movement from the man beside me. To say I woke him wouldn't be accurate - he had been awake all along, waiting for me to stir from my slumber.

"Are you hungry?" Lucas asked, his voice carrying that characteristic deep resonance, now tinged with a hint of satisfaction. While he appeared energetic and refreshed, I felt completely drained, every muscle in my body protesting.

"What time is it?" I managed to ask.

"Ten in the evening."

"So late," I couldn't help but exclaim.

"Indeed." Lucas's response carried an unmistakable note of pleasure, making no attempt to hide his contentment.

"Where's Milo?" I asked about his son, concern creeping into my voice.

"He said he's old enough to sleep by himself now, so he's already tucked in bed." Lucas paused before adding with a slight smile, "He also mentioned that he thinks he'd make a good big brother."

I glanced at him, struggling to sit up. Lucas reached out to help me, and as the cotton sheets slid away, I caught sight of the marks scattered across my pale skin - too many to count, each one a testament to our passionate encounter.

I turned to look at Lucas, my gaze questioning.

He shifted slightly, appearing almost apologetic. "I was actually trying to hold back."

I couldn't help but think that if this was him showing restraint, I might not have survived without it.

"Do you want to get up?" he asked, clearly trying to change the subject.

"Yes."

"I'll get your clothes."

"Thank you."

As Lucas pushed back the covers to stand, I noticed he was still completely undressed despite having been awake for some time. As he moved to leave the bed... I quickly turned my face away.

"Miss Sinclair, there's nothing you haven't seen," he said, his voice carrying that irresistible charm.

I chose to ignore his comment.

"After all, in broad daylight we..."

"Could you please talk less?" I cut him off.

Lucas left the room laughing. Watching his retreating form, even his back radiating joy, my expression grew serious, thoughts turning dark and heavy.

After we dressed, we made our way to the dining room. The staff had prepared dinner, and we ate in silence until I finally spoke.

"Lucas, I want to return to Manhattan."

I saw his hands freeze mid-motion, still holding his cutlery. Perhaps he already understood that my surrender to passion was merely a prelude to departure.

"There isn't really any danger," I set down my fork, speaking with careful deliberation. "As long as you're with Rachel, I'll be safe."

"I won't be with her."

"You should marry her," I enunciated each word clearly.

Lucas's grip on his utensils tightened visibly. His voice turned cold. "So this is what you wanted to tell me after we shared such intimacy?"

"Let's call it even."

"Even?" He laughed, a harsh sound devoid of humor. I knew he had believed our encounter was born of mutual love, not a prelude to a final goodbye.

"What we had started as a brief affair, and that's how it should end," I said, meeting his gaze steadily.

"Serena, stop lying to yourself!" Lucas barely contained his anger. "You're not as indifferent to me as you pretend. Otherwise, today wouldn't have happened. You wouldn't have given yourself so completely, wouldn't have...enjoyed it so much."

His words hung in the air between us, heavy with accusation and hurt. I could see the pain in his eyes, the confusion warring with anger.

"I have physical needs too," I said with deliberate coldness, meeting his steel-gray eyes. "I want to end the shadows of the past. End everything completely."

He just laughed - a cold, bitter sound that cut through me like winter wind. The laugh didn't reach his eyes, which remained fixed on mine with an intensity that made my heart ache. But I couldn't falter now.

"We should never have been together," I continued, keeping my voice steady despite the trembling in my chest. "Meeting that first time was a mistake." I took a slow breath, steeling myself. "Lucas, as I've said before, the best thing for both of us is for you to return to Rachel, and for me to live my own life, doing what I choose to do."

"After all this time," he asked, his voice carrying a trace of hope that I had to crush, "you haven't wavered at all?"

"No." I made my voice sharp and final. "Being with you only fills me with anxiety. I never know when I might unknowingly provoke Rachel, never know when she might try to..." I swallowed hard. "When she might try to end me. The accusations, the attempts on my life, and now using Milo to threaten me..." My voice cracked slightly. "Lucas, I can't take it anymore."

"It's almost over," he said softly, his words carrying the weight of a promise.

I shook my head, pushing my barely-touched salad around the plate. "It's never over. Even if this current crisis ends... it's just the calm before the next storm. I don't know if I can survive what might come next. I can't predict the horrors waiting for us. I'm human, flesh and blood. I can't endure this constant assault on my life."

"Serena..." he started, but I cut him off.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to reveal the final truth: "If I truly wanted to be with you, I wouldn't keep trying to leave. When I make a decision, it's after careful consideration. And there's one more thing you need to know."

I forced myself to maintain eye contact as I continued: "That day, at your company's anniversary celebration, your grandfather took me aside to your family home. He told me everything - that Milo and Stella are my children, that you were the man I was with that night. Then he demanded I leave you."

"My grandfather..." he started, his jaw tightening.

"Let me finish," I interrupted, watching his lips press into a thin line. "Yes, I'm not someone who simply accepts orders. I wouldn't have agreed easily. But he made me an offer, and I accepted."

"What offer?" His voice was dangerously quiet.

"He said if you and Rachel had a successful marriage, I could take Milo and Stella with me." I watched his eyes turn sharp and predatory.

"So even though I was angry, even though I couldn't stand being manipulated like that, I agreed. For me, Milo and Stella are more important than anyone else. Losing you to keep them safe? I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'd give up my own life if it meant protecting them."

I watched the emotions warring across his face as I spoke softly: "This time, I'm not discussing this with you. I'm begging you. Please, be happy with Rachel. As parents, I'm willing to sacrifice everything for Milo and Stella. Can't you be selfless too? Just this once?"

His throat worked as he swallowed, his emotions finally settling into something resembling calm. "Is this really what you want?"

"Yes," I answered without hesitation. "It's what I want."

"Fine." His acceptance was sudden and sharp.

My heart constricted painfully, but I knew this was the best choice. For all of us.

"When are you leaving?" he asked.

"Tomorrow."

"I'll arrange your flight back."

"No need. Atticus will handle it." I said directly. Seeing his expression, I added, "Since we're ending things, I'd prefer to minimize our contact."

"...Alright."

"Thank you." I said sincerely.

I picked up my fork again, forcing myself to eat even though everything tasted like ash. I watched him stand and leave, knowing he'd barely touched his food either.

I made myself finish the meal. As a mother, I didn't have the luxury of neglecting my health. I needed to stay strong for Milo and Stella.

Later that night, I stood in the doorway of their bedroom, watching them sleep. Stella was curled on her side, one hand clutching her favorite stuffed rabbit, while Milo lay sprawled on his back, his dark hair tousled against the pillow. Looking at their innocent faces, peaceful in sleep, I knew I would never regret today's decision.

I thought back to the first time I'd learned they were mine - the shock, the joy, the overwhelming love that had threatened to bring me to my knees. I remembered every moment since then: Stella's shy smiles gradually becoming more frequent, Milo's enthusiastic hugs growing more confident. The way they both lit up when I entered a room, as if some part of them had always known I was their mother.

Walking quietly into their room, I adjusted Milo's blanket where it had slipped down. He stirred slightly but didn't wake. Next to him, Stella made a soft sound in her sleep, and I gently smoothed her hair back from her forehead.

"Sleep well, my darlings," I whispered, barely audible. "Mama loves you more than anything in this world."