Chapter 257

Serena's POV

I prepared to say goodbye to Milo and Stella. My heart felt heavy, knowing this separation was necessary but painful. Until Lucas finalized his situation with Rachel, the children would need to stay with him. As much as it pained me, I couldn't be cruel enough to separate them from their father right now. More importantly, I knew they would be safer with Lucas, given the current circumstances.

"The car is ready," Lucas's voice came from behind me, his tone carefully neutral.

"Okay." I knelt down to Milo and Stella's level, gently touching their soft cheeks. Their eyes, so much like their father's, looked at me with a mixture of trust and uncertainty that made my heart ache. "You'll see Mommy again when you return to the city for school in a few days," I promised, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Yes, Mommy," they nodded obediently.

Their simple acceptance broke my heart. I could tell they had expected me to stay after yesterday, to become a permanent part of their lives. But they were too mature for their age, asking no questions, simply accepting what the adults in their lives decided. Their quiet understanding hurt more than any tears or tantrums would have.

Lucas approached, holding out a small pill. Morning-after contraception. I had planned to stop at a pharmacy later, knowing it would still be effective within three days, but I accepted it without comment. These were the practical realities of adult relationships.

"I'll wait in the car," he said, turning away. The contrast between yesterday's intimacy and today's carefully maintained distance spoke volumes about our complicated situation.

After taking the pill with some water, I hugged Milo and Stella one final time. Each second of embrace felt precious, knowing it would need to sustain us until our next meeting. Through the car window, I watched them standing on the steps, their small figures growing more distant as Lucas's driver pulled away. Milo clutched his sister's hand, both their faces painted with confusion and longing that made my chest tight. I promised myself silently that soon, very soon, I would have them by my side permanently.

I turned forward, forcing myself to regain composure. Lucas sat beside me in complete silence, his profile rigid and unreadable. It wasn't until we started climbing higher instead of descending that I realized his villa sat halfway up the mountainside, surrounded by dense forest that provided natural privacy and security. The winding road took us higher still, through stands of winter-bare trees dusted with frost.

The early morning mist parted to reveal a clearing where two helicopters waited, their blades still. The sight surprised me, though I maintained my neutral expression. The car came to a stop, and we both stepped out into the crisp mountain air.

"The helicopter will take you to where Atticus is waiting," Lucas said, his voice professional and distant. Gone was any trace of last night's tenderness.

"Thank you," I replied, matching his tone.

He gave a slight nod, our eyes meeting briefly. Neither of us said goodbye. Some endings are better left unspoken.

As I climbed aboard the helicopter, Lucas remained by the car, a solitary figure in the morning light. I could feel his eyes on me even though I didn't look back. The rotors began to spin, whipping up small clouds of dust and fallen leaves. The ground fell away beneath us as we lifted into the pale winter sky.

I tried not to let my eyes betray me, but I could feel them growing red and swollen. Though I deliberately avoided looking at Lucas as he became smaller and smaller before disappearing entirely, tears threatened to spill. There was an inexplicable emptiness in my chest that made it hard to breathe, as if a vital part of me had been torn away.

The helicopter circled for over thirty minutes before finally descending onto a clearing in the outskirts of the city. Atticus's black sedan was already waiting there, along with several other vehicles-security measures had been heightened significantly since the incident.

As I struggled with my crutches, attempting to maneuver out of the helicopter, a steady hand appeared before me. Looking up, I found Atticus in his wheelchair, offering assistance. The accident had clearly taken its toll on him as well.

I accepted his help without hesitation, using his arm for support as I made my way into the black sedan. As we pulled away, the helicopter lifted off behind us, disappearing into the morning sky.

Only then did I fully understand why Lucas had been so confident about his villa's security. It was practically impenetrable-first, its location was nearly impossible to track from the air, and second, even if someone managed to find it, the mountainous terrain offered natural protection against intruders.

I found myself staring in the direction the helicopter had vanished, lost in thought.

"Missing him already?" Atticus's voice broke through my reverie.

"No," I replied, lowering my gaze.

I could feel Atticus studying my face. Despite my composed exterior, he could probably detect traces of my earlier tears.

"Why aren't you staying with Lucas? He seemed to be protecting you quite effectively," Atticus asked directly.

"You'll be disappointed to hear this," I met his gaze, "but I helped reunite Lucas and Rachel."

Atticus paused, then shrugged dismissively. "If that's what you think is right, so be it. We're business partners-your personal choices are your own. Besides, you were always clear about your intentions, so I hadn't set my expectations too high. Though I am curious what made you decide to truly part ways with Lucas..."

"That's personal," I cut him off.

"Fair enough," Atticus didn't push further.

The car wound through the city streets before stopping outside an elegant café.

"Are you sure about this?" Atticus asked.

"I wouldn't have asked you to bring me here otherwise."

"Want me to join you?"

"Despite your admirable resilience..." I glanced at his legs, my tone slightly teasing.

Atticus chuckled, "We're quite the pair, aren't we?"

As I reached for the door handle, I felt his hand catch mine.

"Take this," Atticus said.

I flinched slightly at the contact, still uncomfortable with physical proximity, even knowing his preferences.

If Atticus noticed my discomfort, he didn't show it. He placed a small black device, about the size of a thumb drive, in my palm. "If you sense any danger, press this button. My team will come immediately."

I met his steady gaze.

"I believe in repaying debts," his eyes were resolute. "You saved my life. Your safety is now my responsibility."

I accepted the device, tucking it into my purse. "Thank you."

"Take care."

Supporting myself with the crutch, I made my way alone into the café.