The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85: The Beginning of Something

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“Really?” Sebastian glanced at Serena. Clearly aware he was in trouble, he quickly said, “Mommy, don’t worry. I found your

friend.”

“I already talked to him about leaving the room without permission,” Nathaniel said. “And he promised not to do it again.”

“Yeah.” Sebastian nodded vigorously. “I promise!”

Heartbeats later.

“Whoa!” Sebastian’s eyes widened as he opened Nathaniel’s gift.

It was a LEGO dinosaur.

Then Sebastian frowned. “This is hard. Can I do it?”

“Of course, you can.” Serena rolled her eyes. “At least you won’t get bored. What do you say to Nathan?”

“Thank you, Uncle Nathan,” Sebastian said with a smile.

Once again, Serena was surprised. Nathaniel and Sebastian got along just fine.

They simply clicked.

Sebastian was usually selective with people, but after their encounter in the hallway, Serena sensed that whatever had passed

between them had made her son warm up to Nathaniel.

Sebastian wasn’t discharged yet. He was still under observation. His IV site had been removed temporarily because his hand had swollen, which was how he managed to escape. It all happened while Serena was in the bathroom and Silas had stepped out to

take a phone call.

Celine was with Alisa, and Sterling was out handling the Hartleys’ Helocation.

“Do you want to start assembling your dinosaur LEGO?” Nathanie cracked his fingers, signaling he was ready.

Sebastian laughed. “I want to try!”

“Before that, do you have anything to say to your uncle?” Nathaniel prompted. “You remember the Dino rules?”

Sebastian nodded.

Silas, who had been working on his laptop, suddenly looked up.

“Uncle Silas, Dino promised he would follow my rules,” Sebastian said, pointing at Dino. “Dino, sit.”

He turned to Silas. “See? He’s sitting.”

“Dino, no more flying.” He glanced back at Silas. “Dino, no more amping into glass walls.”

“What if you break the rules?” Silas asked.

“Me?” Sebastian pointed to himself.

“Yes, you,” Silas repeated.

“Hey, we are talking about Dino!” Sebastian objected, his adorable little face turning slightly devilish. 1

The moment passed with a laugh, and the subject was dropped. Sis allowed Sebastian to keep Dino, but only during scheduled play hours.

Minutes later, father and son sat side by side on Sebastian’s hospital bed, the tray table pulled close and covered with pieces of the LEGO T. rex. Serena stayed where she was, letting herself be nothing more than a spectator. Silas did the same, watching

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Chapter 85 The Beginning of Something

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quietly from a distance.

Sebastian picked up a piece and frowned. “This one is wrong.”

Nathaniel didn’t correct him. He leaned closer instead. “What do you think it’s for?”

Serena watched Sebastian turn the piece in his hands, his brows knitting the way they always did when he was thinking hard. After a moment, his face brightened. “The tail.”

Nathaniel smiled, small and approving. “Try it.”

When the piece clicked into place, Sebastian straightened, clearly pleased. “I did it!”

“Yes,” Nathaniel said softly. “You did! You are a smart boy.”

They worked like that for a while-Sebastian choosing, Nathaniel waiting. Sometimes Nathaniel read the instructions. Sometimes he didn’t, letting Sebastian decide even when it took longer. Serena noticed how Nathaniel never rushed their son. He never took a piece away and never hovered.

He

was patient… or relishing the moment.

ne point, Sebastian leaned back, resting briefly against Nathaniel’s arm as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Serena gasped.

Sebastian didn’t even seem aware of it. He was focused on the dinosaur, on making it stand straight.

When the T. rex was finally finished, Sebastian clapped his hands.

“Dino looks strong.”

Nathaniel looked at him, then nodded. “He does. Congratulations, Bastin.”

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