The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 118

Stefan’s Investment.

“Daddy, can you stay?” Sebastian begged. “My bed is big.”

Alisa also turned to Nathaniel, her eyes hopeful.

They were outside the Vanders’ home, saying goodbye.

Nathaniel smiled at the kids. He hugged them and kissed their cheeks. After that, he said, “Daddy can’t stay. I don’t have a change of clothes with me, and I still have things to do at the hotel. But I promise, I’ll see you tomorrow evening."

Rules were rules. Sterling had made it clear that there were no “overnights” allowed. And truth be told, Nathaniel had many things to do, including preparing for his meeting with Stefan the next day.

The Montgomerys canceled the lakehouse trip altogether. They made the call shortly after lunch. It gave Sterling and Silas time to look into Stefan’s affairs and whatever secrets the Montgomerys were hiding.

When the kids still didn’t respond, Nathaniel repeated, “Daddy won’t break his promise.”

“Okay, Daddy,” Sebastian said quietly, looking down.

Nathaniel said one last goodbye before the nanny helped the kids back inside the house. When he was alone with Serena, he held her wrist.

“Hey,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

He caressed her cheek with his thumb. “I just want to remind you, the divorce was never your fault. It was mine. Divorce doesn’t reduce anyone as a person. Sometimes, it changes people for the better.”

Nathaniel meant every word. It was meant for both of them. He regretted the divorce, but the past had also forced him to confront his mistakes.

Today, he was a better person.

This time, he would never overlook Serena, and he would never give her or the children a reason to walk away.

“Anyone who looks down on bread and butter has clearly never known joy, or carbs,” Nathaniel added. “I could say the same thing about gummy bears.”

Serena laughed. “Please don’t tell me you still eat gummy bears.”

“Only occasionally,” Nathaniel said with a smile.

Serena adjusted her hand. Instead of Nathaniel holding her wrist, she let him have her hand for a second, but then she let go.

“Thank you,” she said. “I don’t care about Stefan, but the way he looked down on me just… hurt. I genuinely treated him kindly because his family has been friends with mine for a long time.”

“I know,” Nathaniel said. “And I’ll make sure he pays for his plans.”

“You should go,” Serena said.

Nathaniel glanced at his car, the driver and bodyguard waiting nearby. “Goodbye.”

***

“Serena, I’ll make it up to you. I promise,” Stefan said over the phone on Saturday morning. “My parents and I will be at the Rexam Grand Hotel tonight. The new chairman of Stonewatch has booked a conference room to meet us, and the board members of Rexam Central Medical Institute.”

“We’ll have more butter and toast, paired with coffee dates. And next week, we’ll finalize the lakehouse trip,” he assured her.

“I do love my butter and toast,” Serena replied, her voice sweet as always. “But Stefan, since you canceled on us, maybe you can show my parents you’re sincere with your apology."

"There’s this really cheap necklace I like. Would you mind buying it for me?” She paused. “I’ll send you the link. The shop processes orders quickly, so I should get it this afternoon.”

“Ah.” Stefan hesitated, but hearing the word cheap, he answered, “Sure. Send it over. I will buy the necklace for you. Bye, Serena. I miss your beautiful face already.”

Serena chuckled. “I’m excited. And by the way, I have a surprise for you later. It has something to do with our engagement.”

The problem was, he’d already promised to buy it. And what would the Vanders think if he failed to present an apology gift?

His hands trembled as he filled out the form. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his heart racing. When he reached the final page, he stared at the purchase button for several long seconds.

“Fuck. Fuck,” he muttered again.

Then he shut his eyes. “Fine. Stefan, consider this an investment.”

When the purchase went through, his vision blurred, but ambition steadied him. Tonight, he would secure a partnership with Stonewatch Rehabilitation Network. It was an expansion backed by guaranteed military funding. His future would already be paid for.

And once he married Serena, her shares and assets would become his leverage. He would guide her, slowly, until they were signed over, either to him or to Mathew. Ownership was only a matter of time.

“Soon,” he told himself. “You’ll have it all. A trophy wife with angelic beauty, a loyal lover, and wealth beyond imagination. Fifty million dollars is just a small sacrifice.”

***

Later, Stefan and Melanie arrived at the Rexam Grand Hotel. They proceeded to a conference room reserved by Stonewatch. An old executive from the rehabilitation network was present and introduced him to the new chairman.

“Mr. Montgomery,” the executive said, “allow me to introduce our new chairman, Mr. Nathaniel Thorne.”

Stefan eagerly extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Thorne.”

Nathaniel took his hand and shook it so firmly that Stefan thought his bones might crack.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Nathaniel said.

The words were polite enough, but there was something in Nathaniel's gaze that didn’t match them. For the first time, Stefan wondered if he had already met this man.