His Innocent Sera novel Chapter 48

No. I hate him. The confession burned on the tip of her tongue, aching to be spilled. One second was all it would take- but one lifetime of facing its consequences. His threat pounded in her skull- menacing, cruel, and certain. She knew he meant every word; he'd follow through, just like he always did.

"Nate is difficult....... sometimes," she replied instead, trailing her fingers along the counter's edge.

"That he is," Ara agreed with a sigh. "His temper issues are a nightmare to deal with..." guilt settled across her features as she continued, "Sometimes, I feel like I failed them, like I should’ve been there more. I got so caught up with my other kids that I couldn't give Nate and Gigi the time they deserved."

"Don't doubt yourself. They couldn't have gotten a better mother than you. You were always there when they needed you.." her eyes softened with a hidden wound as she continued, "...trust me, that means a lot for a child." Her mother was never there for her when she needed her. Ara caught the hint of pain in her eyes and couldn't help but feel bad.

"Nate loves you," Sera assured her. "He just couldn't stop gushing about you and Mr. Serrano at the sanctuary you built for Mr. Serrano."

Ara's eyes widened in disbelief before she asked, "he brought you there?" Sera gave a hesitant nod, wondering if she had said too much.

"He is very possessive about that place. He's never even taken his friends there. You really must mean a lot to him," Ara mused the last part, realisation settling in. She thought he was exaggerating, but now it seems he actually meant his words.

"He wants to marry you," Ara circled back to the topic, wanting her opinion. "As much as I want you to be a part of our family, I also want you to know that nothing will happen without your consent. If it's not what you want, just say it. No pressure. We'll talk him through it," Ara assured her. Sera pondered for a moment. She could tell Ara had no clue about the monster Nate was. She was worried about his temper issues, but that was nothing compared to his other flaws. He was a sadist who reveled in other's suffering.

I will kill your family. No matter what, I'll make you pay.

Sera's stomach clenched with the urge to tell her everything, but she resisted. He was their heir. They would punish him, maybe lock him away, but not forever. And when he was free, he’d come straight for her to make her pay. Not with her life. With theirs.

"I too want to marry him," she replied, pasting a smile that could convince even a blind. Ara was overjoyed to hear it but didn't let her emotions spill over before confirming.

"Are you sure? Don't you think it's too early?" Ara enquired.

"I am sure," Sera confirmed, still smiling, though a traitorous tear escaped her eye, calling her out.

Ara's smile slipped just like that. Sera quickly wiped the tear away, but Ara had already seen through her facade.

"What is it? Why are you crying?' Ara demanded. Sera looked away as if hiding something.

"Nothing. I am just....I got emo..emotional," Sera explained, actively avoiding eye contact. A heavy silence settled in.

"Is..Is he forcing you?' Ara asked, causing Sera's head to snap up, eyes wide with unspoken truth. Ara felt being hit by a bomb. Her son—her own blood and flesh— was a monster.

"Please, don’t say a word to him. I’ll marry him, I swear. Just don’t tell him. He’ll punish me if he knows," Sera pleaded with Ara. The sheer terror in her eyes— Ara felt as if she was looking into a mirror of her past. Her heart clenched painfully.

Her own son.

Ara's own eyes teared up, but her features hardened in resolve.

"You will not marry him," Ara declared.

"You don't understand. I have to or he'll.."

"He'll do nothing. Wipe your tears, go out, and act like nothing happened. I'll handle the rest," Ara told her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Sera was still confused, but she nodded anyway. She had faith in Mrs. Serrano.

Ara handed her a few plates to distribute outside.