The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68: The Lie He Chose

The Lie He Chose.

“Serena, where have you been all these years?” Nathaniel asked softly.

Nathaniel looked surprisingly different.

He was the same, but different.

Nathaniel still had those striking features. He still had that chiseled face, his intense blue-gray eyes, and his commanding stance. But there was sadness in his eyes that she couldn’t describe.

‘What has happened to him? Shouldn’t he be happy with his life? With Vanessa and their child?’ It took everything in Serena to fake her composure. Below the table, Silas squeezed her hand. Serena raised her chin and said, “It doesn’t concern you, Mr. Thorne.”

She saw Nathaniel’s body stiffen. His gaze darted toward Silas with a hint of resentment. But despite his visible unease, he said, “Mr. Vander, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“I can’t say the same to you, Mr. Thorne,” Silas replied, curt and short.

Nathaniel remained standing in front of their table, not taking a seat. Gavin, his assistant, stood behind him, also staring at Serena in amazement.

“How-how long have you-” Nathaniel tried to speak again, but Silas cut him off.

“You are disturbing our dinner, Mr. Thorne,” Silas said.

“Sir, this way, please,” the restaurant supervisor intervened, urging Nathaniel to take his seat. Unfortunately, the table assigned to him was right next to theirs.

There was no escaping it.

Serena was bound to have a conversation with Nathaniel.

She might as well clear the air, whatever it was.

Strange how she had tried so hard to stay away from him. Yet the day she returned to Velmon City, fate placed them in the same room. It was a collision she could never outrun.

Nathaniel and Gavin took their seats in silence, but Serena could feel their gazes on her.

She tried to focus, placing food on Alisa’s plate. “It’s time to eat, Ali.”

But Serena noticed Alisa peeking at Nathaniel. For several seconds, her daughter stared at him. Serena didn’t follow her gaze.

Deep down, her heart was racing.

She shouldn’t be.

She hated him, and she swore she was over him.

It had been four years, so why did it feel like she still wasn’t ready to see him?

“Should we leave?” Silas whispered, leaning in close.

Serena shook her head. They shouldn’t look affected-like she was affected.

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“It’s fine,” she said, smiling at Alisa. She fed her a piece of the fish fillet, and her daughter obediently opened her mouth.

Strangely, Nathaniel didn’t interfere as they ate. He and Gavin also ordered food and began eating, but shortly after Serena and Silas finished their meal, he spoke again.

“Mr. Vander, clearly you know me,” Nathaniel said. “You know who I am to Serena.”

“Oh, I do,” Silas replied, wiping his mouth with a napkin. His eyes narrowed. “You’re the man who put Victor Kline in prison, then blamed Serena for his mistakes. You used her to carry out your revenge.”

Dead air settled over the table.

This time, Serena took a moment to study Nathaniel’s reaction.

***

Silas’s words caught Nathaniel off guard.

Silas Vander.

The man before him was supposed to be younger, yet the authority he carried was unmistakable. It radiated effortlessly, making his presence feel threatening. Every word landed with accuracy, and each one stung more than Nathaniel expected.

“I admit what I did wasn’t gentle,” Nathaniel said carefully, fully turning toward Silas and Serena. “But some things were necessary. Sometimes justice only moves when someone is willing to get their hands dirty.”

“I wasn’t proud of what I did, especially hurting and lying to Serena,” he added, making sure to meet Serena’s hazel eyes. “Serena, I swear to it.”

For a moment, something flickered in Serena’s eyes. Then it was gone. Calmly, she said, “It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s all in the past. But I just have one question… was it worth it? Your ultimate revenge?”

His breathing caught for a second.

He wanted to tell her the truth-to tell Serena that he had broken in the end after she disappeared. But seeing her look contented with her life, Nathaniel realized he no longer had the right to disturb her happiness.

He lied, hiding the truth behind his commanding facade. “I’m doing well… I guess.”

Serena smiled at him. “Then I’m happy for you. Peace and closure look good on you.”

He didn’t know whether her words were sincere or sarcastic. He didn’t think he looked good at all.

Peace? He had never found the peace she spoke of, not after she left, not even after he achieved the justice he had once dreamed of for his father.

“Enjoy your dinner, Mr. Thorne,” Serena added. “We’re done with ours.”

They stood, Silas, holding Alisa’s hand.

It ached terribly, seeing Serena with a family, with another man.

Nathaniel remained seated, unable to breathe for several seconds, watching them leave the restaurant… until he remembered something.

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