The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 173

Nathaniel’s Brutal Rage.

“It was Victor,” Serena revealed. “He pushed me out of the building.”

Earlier, when Nathaniel realized it was Victor who had Serena kidnapped, he froze for a moment, stunned that the old man was still alive.

Rage surged through him, and he gave Victor a brutal beating.

However, nothing compared to the moment he discovered that Serena had been thrown out of the building. All the more, he wanted to break every bone in Victor’s body.

His hands shook as he held Serena tightly. His vision darkened, and his jaw clenched. He imagined what he could do to Victor Kline.

Nathaniel imagined dragging Victor back up to the tenth floor.

He imagined throwing him into that same narrow gap.

He imagined letting him feel the terror of falling, the helplessness, the cold air slicing past him.

He imagined breaking his fingers one by one — the same hands that had touched Serena.

He imagined crushing his ribs slowly, deliberately, until Victor understood exactly what pain meant.

Death would be too easy.

Nathaniel wanted Victor conscious.

He wanted him to feel everything.

“I’m sorry this happened,” he said, pulling Serena closer into a tight hug. “I’m sorry I wasn’t around. I’ll never let this happen to you again. Ever.”

He pulled away just slightly and cupped her face.

His heart ached at the sight of Serena's tear-streaked face, gray concrete dust smeared across her cheeks, and the small cut on her lip.

Without giving Serena any warning, he kissed her — repeatedly — until Silas cleared his throat.

“Nathan!” Silas sounded angry, but Nathaniel did not spare him a glance.

He did not care.

And Serena did not care either, at least for the first few seconds.

Eventually, Serena turned to her brother and cried again.

Silas gently removed her from Nathaniel’s arms and embraced her.

“I’m glad you are okay,” Silas said. Tears welled in his eyes as he rubbed her back. "I'm sorry. I wish I never left you."

Silas was still clearly shaken. Like Nathaniel, his hands trembled. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles had turned white, his jaw locked, his face stiff with barely restrained fury.

As Silas held Serena, he met Nathaniel’s gaze.

It was a silent agreement — they would teach Victor a lesson. Tomorrow, maybe, or in the next few days. Right now, Serena was their priority.

“Let’s take her to the hospital and get her checked,” Nathaniel said.

Silas nodded and finally loosened his hold on Serena.

“Let me carry you,” Silas suggested.

But to Nathaniel’s surprise, Serena turned to him.

Sterling sat close to his wife, consoling her.

At the same time, Melvin shifted on the bed as if restless. He swung his legs over the side, his feet touching the floor. He winced and pressed a hand against his abdomen, where the stitches lay hidden beneath the hospital gown.

For a moment, Sterling thought he might collapse.

“I need to help find Serena,” Melvin said hoarsely. “I have to do something.”

“Silas and Nathan are looking for Serena now,” Sterling said, his arm still around his wife.

“But, Sterling, how many men have the police mobilized? Serena could be anywhere by now,” Melvin said, panicking.

“I can’t just lie here!”

“Every minute matters. They could already be moving her.” Melvin looked up, eyes wide. “Have the ports been alerted? The airports? If they put her on a private plane, she could be out of the country before we even know it.”

His breathing quickened. “Besides, is it really right to leave this important matter to that… Nathaniel Thorne? Wasn’t he the one who hurt Serena? Can we really trust him?”

“I have no reason to doubt Nathan,” Sterling said firmly. “He was the first one to move - to find a solution. He went in himself.”

“Yes,” Celine said through tears. “He loves the twins. I can see it clearly. He wouldn’t fail the children.”

“General Collins has used his connections to mobilize the military for the search," Sterling added. "Nathan said they are using the best team to retrieve Serena.”

Melvin’s brows furrowed. “The military? Is that allowed?”

Sterling nodded. “Officially, General Collins is retired. Unofficially, half the current military officers owe him their careers.”

"I see," Melvin averted his gaze. "Must be... nice to have that... kind of power."