The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 134

The General’s Regret.

As far as Serena recalled, Norman Collins was in his nineties. His body was thinned by age but still upright. His silver-white hair was neatly trimmed, and though his eyes were clouded, they still held authority. Age had slowed his movements, but his presence remained unquestionable.

“This is a miniature fighter jet,” Norman said, handing the gift to Sebastian. “I had this prepared for you. I hope you like it.”

“Really, for me?” Sebastian’s eyes lit up. “It’s awesome.”

Sebastian pointed to the jet, announcing, “Mom, Dad, look. It has my name on it!”

It truly was a sturdy-looking fighter-style drone. It came with a remote, and it was capable of flight. Serena also noted how the gift was carefully placed in a wooden box, as if it were a special treasure. That meant the former general had given careful thought to the gift.

“Wow!” Sebastian tested it. His eyes gleamed as he let the miniature fighter jet fly around the room.

The young boy turned to his sister and exclaimed, “Ali, this is so cool. What did you get?”

“And for Ali,” Norman said with a smile, handing Alisa a box. “It’s a way for you to see the stars.”

Alisa accepted the gift without saying a word. She cautiously studied the former general before retreating to Serena.

In the study, everyone had found their seats, except for the two soldiers who accompanied Norman. They remained stationed by the door, as if on guard.

Alisa handed the box to Serena, who held it. Only then did her daughter open it.

The little girl gasped at the splendor inside.

It was a constellation globe.

“It’s best to dim the lights,” Norman suggested. With a raise of his hand, one soldier searched for the switch. Of course, the soldier waited for Nathaniel’s approval before lowering the lights.

Once the room darkened, the globe’s constellations glowed in the dark.

Alisa’s eyes sparkled, and her smile widened. She lifted the box and showed it to Nathaniel. “Daddy, look.”

Nathaniel caressed Alisa’s cheek and said, “Your great-grandfather chose well, Ali. You notice things most people overlook. The stars feel right for you.”

“I—” Norman looked teary-eyed. “I just tried my best to find gifts based on how you described them to me. I’m glad they both like them.”

Serena turned to Nathaniel, surprised that they had already had this conversation. Yet, they still felt distant from each other. Yet, Serena knew why.

“Kids, thank your great-grandfather,” Nathaniel urged.

“Thank you, Great-Grandfather Norman,” Sebastian said, then frowned. “It’s such a mouthful.”

They all laughed softly. From the corner of Serena’s eye, she even caught Silas offering a faint smile.

“Great-grandpa will do,” Norman suggested. “Can you give your great-grandpa a hug?”

Sebastian hugged him first. Then Alisa followed. She didn’t express it in words, but that hug alone showed her gratitude.

The comfort on the general’s face was evident. He looked so touched that he seemed close to breaking down at that very moment.

It made Serena all the more curious about him.

“Yes, and no,” Norman said. “I learned about Nathan through his achievements. But no, I didn’t reach out because of any advantage he could offer.”

He paused. “I reached out because, despite everything, Nathaniel and Bianca rose on their own.”

“I made the same mistake with Neal. I saw his autism and assumed it defined his limits. I told myself I was being realistic.”

His jaw tightened. “I wasn’t. I was afraid. I didn’t understand autism then, and instead of learning, I walked away.”

“Neal went on to create a breakthrough drug, one that allowed Kline BioSolutions to become a multibillion-dollar empire.”

Norman exhaled slowly. “Nathaniel and Bianca built their own legacy as well. That forced me to confront the truth.”

“I was wrong about my son," Norman concluded. "And I was wrong not to reach out while he was still alive.”

***

Meanwhile, beside Serena, Nathaniel remained composed. But inwardly, something warm and unexpected settled in his chest.

Serena stepped in for him and defended Neal.

Nathaniel said nothing. He didn’t need to.

He and Serena had divorced, but it hadn’t made them strangers. Some things between them remained the same.

Tonight, he swore to reward Serena.