The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 293

Surgery Day.

“My great-grandchildren look so beautiful,” Norman remarked over the video call.

As much as Norman wanted to travel to Velmon, it was just too uncomfortable for him, especially at his age. At best, he could only see them virtually for now.

“Don’t worry, Grandpa,” Nathaniel said. “After Serena’s surgery, we are going to take them to see you.”

On the mobile screen, Norman looked teary-eyed. He sniffed and said, “Thank you for choosing Collin and Rochelle as their names. It means so much to me.”

The former general turned to Serena, saying, “Serena, thank you for being so considerate.”

Serena smiled. “We are happy with their names.”

They had chosen the names to remember Neal and Rochelda, and in a way, Norman too.

After Norman, Alice called next. She promised, “Your surgery will be on a weekend, right? Xavier and I could be there. I want to show my support in any way.”

“Helping us with the company is enough help, Alice. You and Xavier have already done so much for my family,” Serena said.

“Have you been cleared for the procedure?” Alice asked.

“I have a few more tests to take, but the MRI is done, so the doctors are planning for the surgery now,” Serena explained.

On her phone screen, Serena noticed her best friend hesitate. Then Alice asked, “Did the doctors warn you of any possible complications after the surgery?”

“Oh, nothing serious,” Serena said. “I could go into a coma or lose my memory temporarily.”

Immediately, Alice’s face paled. Tears welled in her eyes.

But Serena dismissed it. She laughed and said, “Don’t worry, that’s just about five percent of the procedures. What are you afraid of? You’ve also gone through surgery.”

“It’s exactly because of that that I am worried,” Alice said. “I was in a coma too, and I did lose my memory for some time. It’s not funny at all, Serena.”

“I hope everything goes smoothly,” Alice said, putting her hands together on the screen.

The next few days went by in a blur.

Serena and Nathaniel had the twins stay with them in the institute for the first three days, but it became more difficult to manage them when she had to go through several tests.

Thus, she made the hard decision to leave them with her parents while she stayed at the institute.

Celine and Sterling lived in Bianca’s mansion. At the same time, all the kids stayed with them for the time being.

As for Nathaniel, he was mostly by Serena's side, but he also went home to the children at least two hours a day.

It wasn’t all that lonely, though. When Serena had no scheduled pre-operation evaluations, her family would visit her for a few hours, including her newborn twins.

A day before her operation, everyone gathered around her.

Silas and Noelle had returned to Rexam, but they were on a video call with Serena. Alice and Xavier also joined the call.

Together, they said a prayer for Serena, which Nathaniel led.

Nathaniel held Serena’s hand on her left. Sebastian held her right hand, while Alisa sat on her lap with her hands together. Bianca, Celine, and Sterling were around her hospital bed.

“Heavens,

We have much to be grateful for. You brought our family back together. You carried us through everything that once tried to break us, and through the people who stood beside us.

“Mommy, we will be good,” Alisa said, hugging Serena.

“Yeah, Mommy,” Sebastian said seriously. “I’m not doing diapers. That’s your job.”

That broke the solemnity of the room. Everyone laughed as Serena embraced Sebastian. She pinched his cheek and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to teach you how to change diapers when I’m out of the hospital.”

Before leaving, Serena spent some time with her newborn twins, breastfeeding Collin and Rochelle. By nine that evening, they had all gone to Bianca’s home.

When Serena was alone with Nathaniel, she leaned into his shoulders. He had settled next to her in the hospital bed.

“Love, after the surgery, I’m expected to have temporary weakness and may need physical therapy. You’ll take care of me, right?” Serena asked.

“I actually love that idea,” Nathaniel teased. “You won’t be able to escape me—ouch!”

“I’m still bleeding from giving birth, and you are already thinking about sex!” Serena complained after smacking him on the arm.

Nathaniel laughed. He put his arm around her and said, “Of course, I’ll take care of you. I wouldn’t let any other person touch you, not even a female caregiver. I can also be your personal physical therapist.”

Serena laughed again. “Really? You can do it?”

“I own this place, so I know how the therapists work after neurosurgery,” he claimed.

Serena leaned into him again, smiling. “Then, I look forward to your care, Mr. Thorne.”

“You are welcome, Mrs. Thorne,” he said, turning to her and kissing her forehead. “I love you.”

The next day, surgery began at eight in the morning, but before Serena was rushed into the OR, she met with her brother, Noelle, Xavier, and Alice. Serena felt completely relieved before heading in.

In the next hour, the anesthesia took hold, and the world quietly slipped away.