The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 112

EEG.

“Nathan, please,” Serena said. “It’s never about the connections and the net worth. This is about us, our—”

“I know, I know. I’m sorry,” Nathaniel cut her off. “In any case, while General Norman Collins is such a decorated military officer, I heard he has made consequential mistakes in his life—”

But whatever Nathaniel was trying to say, their conversation was interrupted when Alisa suddenly flashed a piece of paper between them.

“What is it, baby?” Serena asked.

It was a drawing of a... family.

The drawing wasn’t perfect. The figures were made of uneven circles and stick limbs. Faces were little more than dots and crooked smiles. Yet everyone was holding hands, clustered close together behind a big house.

There was a mom, and… a dad. In between were two youngsters, clearly representing Bastin and Ali.

“Mommy, I made that too,” Sebastian said, pulling out his own drawing and flashing it to both Serena and Nathaniel. “Look, Daddy.”

“Our teacher said a family lives in one house,” Sebastian added. “Will Daddy live with us soon?”

Alisa blocked Serena’s view, nodding as if agreeing with Sebastian.

“Um—I—” Serena couldn’t find the words to explain it to the kids. She turned to Nathaniel for help, but just as he opened his mouth, the tablet went dead.

Alisa’s head snapped toward the tablet. “Daddy!”

“Daddy,” she called again, and out of nowhere, she burst into tears. “Mommy, Daddy.”

Thankfully, Nathaniel immediately called Alisa on her Apple Watch, and after hearing his voice, Alisa calmed down. Serena explained that Alice’s tablet had run out of battery. Then she told him, “Alisa’s EEG is scheduled tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Nathaniel asked. “When? Where? I’m already in Greyhold. I can make it to Rexam. I wish you had told me.”

“It’s at eight, and you don’t have to change your plans. I have it covered,” Serena said.

“I’ll try to make it,” Nathaniel replied. “Text me the details. I’ll try to finish my meetings tonight and make it in the morning.”

Serena: “…”

“Ali, Daddy has to go. I’ll call you as soon as I can,” Nathaniel said. "Bye, Sweetie. Bye, Bastin."

"Bye, Dad," Sebastian said.

“Bye, Daddy,” Alisa murmured. When the screen went dark, she glanced at the drawing in her hands, then at Serena, her gaze lingering longer than it should have.

Alisa did not have to speak. She was clearly questioning her.

“Nice to see you, Silas,” Stefan replied.

They proceeded to the neurodiagnostic unit, where the EEG would be conducted. Along the way, Serena explained why Alisa needed the procedure. “For some kids on the spectrum, doctors check for seizure activity, just to make sure it isn’t contributing to any delays.”

Stefan frowned. “I hope it isn’t the case.”

“We’ll know soon,” Serena answered calmly. "But I hope so too."

The entire walk, Silas carried Alisa.

They hadn’t made it halfway when Stefan’s phone rang. He checked the screen, and Serena caught the name.

Melanie.

If Serena remembered it correctly, Melanie was Stefan's assistant for five years.

“Yes? What?” Stefan stepped back, then glanced at Serena. “I’ll catch up.”

Silas and Serena continued walking. When they reached the neurodiagnostic unit, they went in and introduced themselves. Stefan joined them moments later.

Serena was filling out the forms when Silas said to Stefan, “I only came to drop them off. I have an important meeting. You should drive them home and maybe see Bastin.”