The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 175

Shifting Wind.

Serena woke up at around nine in the morning.

She felt sore all over, especially from her waist down. It was because of the impact of the fall.

Still, she managed to sleep well in Nathaniel’s arms, his warmth and his scent surrounding her.

Serena felt so secure and safe.

“You feeling better?”

Serena looked up and realized Nathaniel had been staring at her, maybe for a while now.

Serena felt like crying again. Tears welled in her eyes as she buried her face into his chest. “Nathan, what if you didn’t find me?”

“I would find you, no matter what.” His voice was hoarse, but it held certainty.

Serena pulled away and wiped her face carelessly. “How did you find me? I was almost sure I'd be stuck there forever.”

Nathaniel’s jaw clenched.

Clearly, he was hesitating, so she demanded, “Tell me.”

He sighed and leaned his head on the pillow.

“Tell me,” Serena insisted.

Nathaniel reached for her hand. He kissed her palm and ran his fingers over her bracelet. He said, “I put a tracker on your bracelet.”

The words rang in her head.

When it still did not register, she clarified, “You put a tracker on me?”

“Yes,” Nathaniel admitted.

Serena stared at her charm bracelet.

At the center of it rested a solid, oval pendant-like charm, engraved with Ali & Bastin in elegant script. The piece had depth to it, a subtle weight that made it feel more luxurious than decorative. It was the heaviest part of the bracelet.

“How could you?” Serena snapped at him, her brows meeting.

“How could I?” Nathaniel reacted, pointing to himself. “You disappeared on me four years ago. I lived in misery trying to find you. So, of course, I’d put a tracker on you, so I’d find you no matter what. Even if you ran away from me.”

Honestly, Serena should be mad. But at the same time, it was the bracelet that technically saved her.

She returned to staring at her bracelet, deciding.

“Don’t even think about it.” Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed. “If you remove that, I will lock you up and implant a tracker in you.”

Serena, “...”

Nathaniel’s words made Serena look into his eyes.

Those blue-gray orbs pulled her in easily. It didn’t help that Nathaniel always looked good in whatever state he was in.

The way they spoke to each other felt as though the years, the misunderstandings, and the hurt had never existed — as if they had quietly found their way back to where they once belonged.

Then, before she knew it, his lips met hers.

Nathaniel caressed her face. When his hand rested at the back of her neck, their kiss deepened, not urgently, but steadily.

Unlike the one they shared after she was rescued, Nathaniel’s kisses were more restrained — just something warm and steady beneath the surface. His lips lingered longer than usual, as if memorizing the shape of hers. As if reassuring himself she was truly there.

Their kiss would have lasted longer if not for the sound of someone knocking on the suite’s main door.

Serena and Nathaniel pulled away, but barely. There was still something intimate in the way they held each other.

Silas walked in and said, “The kids want to talk to you.”

He was about to exit the bedroom when he paused and turned back to them. “Whatever this is between you two, you’d better clear the air. The sooner, the better.”

Silas’ words came as a surprise to Serena. Didn’t he disapprove of Nathaniel?

Perhaps the wind was shifting. And when the wind shifts, even the most stubborn doors eventually open.