The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 23

**Chapter 23: Overly Involved Ride Home**

“Mr. Thorne, my colleagues have finished their dinner. I’m heading back to the police station now. Allow me the honor of escorting you, at least to the main highway.” The officer’s words brought a wave of relief to Serena. She curled up in the back seat of the car, her heart racing as she waited for Nathaniel to join her.

“Thank you, I truly appreciate it,” Nathaniel replied, his voice steady. He slid into the car and promptly locked the door, a protective gesture that made Serena feel a bit safer.

His gaze landed on her, and he quickly instructed, “Tell Alice to wait at least thirty minutes before leaving. We don’t want the police to catch on to anything. I’ll take you to her apartment.”

Serena picked up her phone and dialed Alice. The call connected almost instantly. “God, Serena! Where have you been? I—”

“I’m fine, really. Nathan helped me out,” Serena reassured her friend. “But a police officer is escorting him to the highway, so please wait about thirty minutes before you leave. Let’s meet at your apartment building.”

“Are you sure about this?” Alice’s voice was laced with concern.

“Don’t worry, the police didn’t notice me,” Serena insisted, though her heart raced at the thought. “It’s a long story. I’ll explain everything later.”

“You can relax now,” Nathaniel said, his focus still on the road ahead, not sparing a glance in her direction. “The officer has gotten into his car.”

Gavin, the officer, had already started the engine. Serena took a moment to collect herself, straightening up in her seat and inhaling deeply. She was bundled in two layers of clothing, and she loosened her top slightly, trying to conceal the evidence of her pregnancy. “Thank God,” she whispered to herself, feeling a moment of reprieve.

But just as the relief washed over her, Nathaniel’s voice cut through the air like a knife. “You shouldn’t have done that, Serena. Whatever you’re searching for isn’t worth putting your life and reputation at risk!”

His words ignited a spark of anger within her. She turned to face him, her frustration bubbling to the surface. She wanted to explain her actions, to make him understand, but she hesitated. Revealing too much felt dangerous, especially when the truth was still so fragile. Instead, she looked away, her voice steady but filled with defiance. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me,” he challenged, his tone firm. “If—”

Suddenly, he trailed off, his attention shifting.

Serena glanced at him, confusion knitting her brow. It was then she noticed his eyes fixated on her arm. A jolt of realization struck her; she hadn’t even registered the sting until now.

A small cut marred her skin, just a couple of inches long, and the long sleeves of her shirt had absorbed the blood, masking the injury. It had happened when she pushed through the thick vegetation behind the gazebo.

“What’s that?” Nathaniel’s voice was sharp as he grasped her arm, his expression darkening. When he rolled up her sleeve, his jaw tightened in concern. “Gavin, after the highway, take her to the hospital.”

Serena blinked in surprise. “???”

***

An hour later, Serena found herself at Grand Mercy Hospital, being tended to by a nurse in the emergency room.

The nurse was applying antiseptic to her wound for the second time, her brow furrowed in concentration. “Ma’am, your husband is quite worried about you. I tried to assure him that the wound is clean, but he insisted I reapply the medicine.”

Serena felt her throat constrict.

Nathaniel stood a short distance away, his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that made her uneasy.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify