The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 202

When the Coconuts Fell.

“I have something to show you,” Nathaniel said, waking Serena up after a long night of exercise in bed.

Serena groaned. When she turned to the window, she realized it was already late in the morning.

She had overslept.

Thanks to Nathaniel.

Yes, they were still at the island resort, spending the remainder of their vacation swimming and doing family-filled activities.

“Come on! Come on, you will love it,” Nathaniel said, urging Serena to get out of bed.

She made her way to the living room of their villa and saw Alisa engrossed in some math worksheets with multiple-choice answers.

‘When had Nathaniel found time to print worksheets while at the resort?’ she wondered.

“Mommy!” Alisa called when she saw her. Her smile was bright, and her eyes were sparkling. Then, she encircled her choice on the last question.

Serena was surprised to see that Alisa had already completed ten worksheets. She was still three years old. How was it possible?

“What do we have here, baby?” Serena asked. When she noticed only her daughter was there, she frowned. “Where’s Bastin?”

“He is out on the beach with both his grandmothers,” Nathaniel answered. “We will catch up with them later. I didn’t want to wake you, and Alisa was not in the mood for some sun.”

Alisa wrinkled her nose. Four days at the beach, and she already had a sunburn right on the bridge of her nose.

“Let’s close your worksheets, Ali. Time to show Mommy how great you are,” Nathaniel said. “One plus one.”

“Two,” Alisa responded eagerly.

Nathaniel asked, “One plus two?”

“Three,” Alisa smiled. "Easy."

It went on and on until they reached twenty. That alone was amazing for Alisa’s age.

Then Nathaniel began mixing the numbers. “Three plus four.”

“Seven,” Alisa answered without hesitation.

Nathaniel tilted his head. “How did you know that so fast?”

Alisa frowned slightly. “Because four is one more than three. So it’s seven.”

Serena blinked.

Nathaniel continued carefully. “Five plus five.”

“Ten,” Alisa said. Then she added, “It doubles.”

Nathaniel and Serena exchanged a look.

Nathaniel asked, “Ten plus two?”

“Twelve.”

“And twelve minus two?”

“Ten,” Alisa replied calmly. “It goes back.”

Nathaniel sighed. He massaged his temples and said, “I’m going to sue the resort.”

“It’s okay,” Bianca laughed again. She forced herself to sit up. “They already offered to give one of our rooms for free and cover all the medical bills. Earlier, I was just really nervous. That’s why I fainted. I was so worried the coconuts would hit Bastin.”

“I’m so glad you are okay,” Celine said, putting a hand on her chest. Then she hugged Bianca.

In shielding Bastin without hesitation, Serena thought Bianca had revealed something she could no longer ignore. Bianca’s devotion to her children was real.

Sometimes forgiveness began the moment you chose to see the whole person, not just their mistakes.

Serena approached and also hugged Nathaniel’s mother.

At first, Bianca froze, but very quickly, Serena felt her arms around her tighten. Then, unexpectedly, Bianca cried.

Why? Because that was probably the most genuine and unguarded affection Serena had shown Bianca since their reunion.

Serena ended up weeping with Bianca.

Celine was also brought to tears, and though Serena was not looking at Nathaniel, she saw for a moment how he had gasped at their embrace.

The doctor looked confused, but Serena did not care at all.

When she and Bianca pulled away, Serena said, “I just want to tell you, in words and more clearly this time, I forgive you. Thank you for being a wonderful grandmother to the twins.”

"Serena." Bianca wept again. “Thank you. You don’t know how much your forgiveness means to me.”

A huge weight was lifted from Serena's chest that day. She didn't realize how great it would feel.

Serena realized that unspoken forgiveness still felt unfinished. It needed words to become whole.