His Innocent Sera novel Chapter 52

He returned to their room, carrying a tray of sandwiches. This time, he wasn't leaving until she’d eaten. Water hitting the tile echoed from behind the bathroom door. She was still in the shower. Setting down the tray, he scanned their room. The servant quarters at his estate looked way better than this pathetic excuse of an apartment. He knew that because every Christmas Eve, his mother took them to the servants’ quarters to hand out gifts. A small gesture of gratitude she insisted on. The only merit this building held was its anonymity.

He waited and waited, but when she didn't open the door, worry began to take root. He got up and crossed the room with quick strides.

"Princess?" he called, knocking at the door, but no reply came. The shower was still on; he could hear it.

"Open the door, princess," he demanded, knocking harder, his worry edging into urgency. The lack of response from her side was making him restless. He retreated and kicked the door. A few more times and the door swung open, revealing her huddled on the shower floor, water pouring down her naked body. Her head was buried in her knees, her frame trembling with heavy sobs.

Nate rushed over, swiftly turning off the shower, and crouched down to her level.

"What's wrong?" he asked, grasping her shaking shoulders. Seradidn't answer, only wept.

He cupped the side of her face and gently prompted, "Look at me, princess. Tell me what happened?" Then, he raised her head to meet his gaze. Her eyes brimmed with profound sorrow, her face was a mask of despair.

"What happened?" he asked softly, dying to know the reason behind her gut-wrenching sobs. She sniffled.

"I spent my whole life trying to be the daughter they could be proud of but.." she choked out, her eyes watered with deep pain as she continued, "but.. they never even cared. They never wanted me." Her words crumbled into sobs. The more she thought about it, the more her heart ached. She was unwanted.

Nate gathered her trembling frame onto his lap, holding her close as she wept. Each of her choked sobs was piercing him like a blade.

"You were never the problem, Princess. You’ve always been the best daughter they could ever hope to have. It's their loss. They lost someone who deeply cared for them," he asserted, before lowering his head and kissing the crown of her head before adding, "And you, my pigeon, you just let go of people who never saw your worth."

"They never kissed me goodnight, never celebrated my birthday, never hugged me," she said, her voice cracking as a deep, hollow ache carved through her. Their never-ending indifference now mase sense. Signs were always there, she just chose to turn blind. His jaw tightened after hearing it.

"They are a bunch of assholes who never deserved you," he stated, his hand gently stroking her bare back.

Clutching the fabric of his shirt, she sobbed against his chest.

He gently gathered her in his arms and stepped out of the bathroom. Droplets fell from their soaking body, trailing all the way to the bed. After setting her down, he grabbed his towel from the bed and began drying her. His hand moved gently, patting the water from her skin. He wiped clean her shoulders before moving downward. She drew a heavy breath as he wiped her breasts, fingertips brushing against her delicate lumps. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around her chest, her eyes lowering in shame. He had seen all of her but it still made her uncomfortable.

Kneeling down, he worked his wayto her legs, trailing the towel up her calves. His eyes darkened with raw need as he pushed the towel upward.

"I'll do it myself," she said, closing her legs. He didn't stop instead, he placed a slow, deliberate kiss to the inside of her thigh. Her fingers curled tightly around the sheet, her breathing shattered.

He leaned back and resumed the work. As soon as he stepped back, she quickly put on her dress and got to her feet. He left after making sure she had her breakfast.