A Love Buried by Secrets novel Chapter 2

Karen hadn't expected Serena to agree so quickly. She said, "You might be gone for a while. Are you really sure?"

"As long as we can fix my legs, it doesn't matter how long I'm away," replied Serena firmly.

Karen felt the weight lift off her chest. She sprung to her feet, ready to start preparing for their visa application.

Just then, Serena called out to Karen. "Mom, don't tell Elliot about this just yet..."

A second later, the door swung open, and in walked Elliot.

"What is it you can't tell me?"

Karen hurried off, while Serena lowered her head to hide the redness around her eyes. "It's nothing. Just something about my grandma."

Fortunately, Elliot didn't suspect a thing. He brought in a dozen or so orthopedic specialists to carefully examine her injured leg.

After the doctors had examined her, they all sighed in unison. "It's not a fatal injury, but since the ideal window for treatment has closed, full recovery will be tricky."

Hearing this, Elliot pulled Serena into his arms, looking even more devastated than her, the actual patient. "Rena, even if you can't stand up again, I'll take care of you for the rest of your life. I'll always stay by your side no matter what happens to you. Be good and give me a little more time. I'll make our relationship public, and then we'll get married."

She had heard such promises countless times over the years. But this time, she felt nothing as she listened to his steady heartbeat against her ear. There was no emotion or warmth, just irony.

She no longer had the strength to play along with him. She closed her eyes to rest and said, "Eli, I'm tired."

Elliot didn't think much of it. He tucked her in and then poured her a glass of warm water. On the outside, he appeared to be taking care of her attentively.

A passing nurse happened to see the scene and couldn't help but exclaim, "What a rare sight—a tall, handsome man who knows how to take care of his girlfriend!"

Serena listened silently but couldn't stop the tears from falling again.

A man who would run over his girlfriend and break her legs was rare, too.

Throughout her five-day hospital stay, Elliot never left Serena's side.

From checkups to medication changes, from meals to daily care—he arranged everything for her meticulously.

Yet, on the day of her discharge, he was nowhere to be found.

Karen offered an explanation as she drove Serena home. "Rena, Vincent said they have guests visiting today, so Elliot went back early to host them. Don't blame him for not picking you up. He's not your real brother, after all. I'm grateful enough that he's accepted us into his family over the years.