His Innocent Sera novel Chapter 71

Nate woke up to incoherent murmurs. The second thing to register was the excruciating pain hammering his head. Then, a hand found his forehead, caressing it with familiar gentleness. He recognized it immediately. His mom.

"He is waking up," he heard his mom say, her voice croaky but tinged with hope. His eyes fluttered open to find his mom leaning over him, her eyes glossy.

"Mom," he murmured, as the haze in his vision slowly sharpened into clarity. Her lips curved into a gentle smile, a sense of relief flicker through her features.

"I am right here," she replied, her hand resting tenderly on his head. Nate met her eyes briefly before his gaze shifted, searching the space around them. The room was empty except for Killian, who was seated silently beside Ara. A sinking feeling that he might have already lost her settled in his stomach.

"Where is she?" he demanded, eyes locked on his dad.

"Don't exert yourself, Nate. Rest a little. You need it," Ara intervened, dodging his question.

Nate's eyes shifted to her, his eyes softening into urgent need, "Where is Sera, Mom?"

"Your mom is right. Rest for now and we’ll discuss it once you’re feeling better," Killian suggested, his voice firm but tinged with concern. Nate sensed their reluctance, their hesitation.

"You sent her away," he gathered quickly, voice low with cold realisation and quiet betrayal.

"I told you I love her....You both betrayed me," Nate accused, his gaze shifting between them, burning with hurt and anger. They were his parents. At least, they should be at his side.

Ara shared a worried glance with Killian. She knew he would ask about her. She had seen glimpses of his obsession with her. He wanted her, but more than that, he wanted to possess her. It wasn't love, it was madness. Fierce enough to destroy them both. And her boy was too young to see it for what it really was. He had already done far worse things. He abducted her, and only God knew what else had happened. The girl was beyond devastated when they caught her running in a wedding gown. They saw terror in her eyes, the raw, unfiltered fear that Nate had stirred in her.

When she hugged her and broke down into uncontrollable sobs, Ara had felt a heavy weight of shame and disappointment. She had tried so hard to prevent this, to keep her children from becoming this… but Nate became it anyway. She was still disappointed in Nate, but now was not the right time to express it.

"Nate.." Ara started softly. "A relationship is meant to bring happiness, not sufferings. She doesn't love you. And you can't force her. Holding on will only hurt you more. Let her go," she urged earnestly. He was still too young to understand the depth and fragility of such relations.

"Love can’t be caged, and when you try, it turns into torture for the other person. You might think you're protecting someone, or holding on to hope, but in the end, all you’re doing is hurting them and yourself," Killian shared from his own experience. They can't share their past with their kids, but that doesn't mean they can't also share their lessons with them.

Ara and Killian exchanged a look of understanding. Killian was still a proud, often conceited man, but whenever it came to his wife, he was nothing but grateful. It could only be luck that he got Ara, even after all he had put her through.

"Let me rest. Leave me alone," Nate responded coldly, looking away. He had figured his parents were against his love. They wouldn't understand him.