The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88: What Daddies Do

What Daddies Do.

Serena covered her mouth, gasping at Alisa’s reaction. She had just called Nathaniel her… her daddy?

A tear rolled down her check. It had been so hard to make Alisa speak. How had it become so natural for her to call Nathan her

dad?

Serena turned to Celine. Her mother was equally stunned, tears welling in her eyes.

For a moment, Serena thought she saw her father lean forward, also taken aback by Alisa’s actions. But whatever made him react that way, he quickly masked it, crossed his legs, and watched everything unfold.

When Serena saw Nathaniel hugging both children, she acknowledged that she had done the right thing. Nathaniel might have hurt her in the past, but she also remembered how good he could be. He had the potential of… being a good father.

Maybe if Victor hadn’t messed with their lives, things would have been different. But then again… she might not have met Nathaniel, and at the same time, she might not have her two beautiful children. 1

Serena turned to Bianca and saw her crying. She wiped her tears carelessly with a handkerchief, her nose red and flared, her posture slouched, every trace of the poise and pride she once carried stripped away.

Bianca’s gaze was fixed on Nathaniel, pain and regret carved deeply across her face.

That was when Serena introduced her. “You also have another grandmother. Her name is Bianca.”

“Hi, my beautiful grandchildren. I’m your grandmother,” Bianca said.

The children pulled away from Nathaniel, their eyes turning to Serena, questioning.

“Yes, Nathan’s mom is Bianca. She’s also your grandmother,” Serena explained.

It was the children’s first time meeting Bianca, so Serena noticed their hesitation. They stayed closer to Nathaniel.

Bianca was the one who stepped forward and knelt to their level. She cupped Alisa’s face, saying, “You are so beautiful.”

Then, she turned to Sebastian. “You look just like your dad when he was young. He was just as handsome at your age.”

Sebastian turned to Nathaniel and studied him closely. Then he smiled brightly and said, “Daddy looks nice!”

Serena almost laughed, understanding what her son was thinking After all, her son was a proud boy. She told Sebastian, “You’ll look nice too when you grow up, Bastin.”

“Hi, Grandma,” Sebastian said.

Bianca took the chance to embrace Sebastian and Alisa, her hands unsteady, her gaze soft and weighted with guilt. “Oh, my beautiful grandkids. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Serena didn’t know how long Bianca kept apologizing. Sebastian looked confused and asked, “Why are you sorry, Grandma?”

“Because-because I didn’t see you sooner,” Bianca said. “And that was my fault.”

Serena understood how hard it was to explain things to the twins. They were still too young to grasp the complications of adult relationships and misunderstandings.

Bianca pulled back and held the twins’ hands. “But I promise, your daddy and I will make it up to you.” She cupped both their cheeks, gently caressing them. “Starting with… our gifts! Do you like our gifts?”

“Your other gifts came from your grandma,” Serena explained.

“I like my gifts!” Sebastian exclaimed. “Thank you, Grandma.” He then beamed at Nathaniel. “Thank you, Dad.”

“You’re welcome, Bastin,” Nathaniel said, ruffling his hair. “That’s just the start, because Daddy owes you so much.”

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Chapter & What Doddies Do

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“Really?” Sebastian asked. “Does that mean you’ll take me to playgroup?”

“You’ll play with me?”

“And read to me? That’s what daddies do!”

As Sebastian spoke, Alisa inched closer. She reached for Nathaniel’s shirt and held on, her small fingers tightening. She didn’t say a word, but her eyes stayed on his, wide, searching for answers.

“Yes. I will do all that,” Nathaniel said firmly, which confused Serena a little.

‘How was he going to do that?’ Serena wondered.

Nathaniel turned to Alisa, gently pushing a strand of her brown hair aside. “Yes. I’ll also take Ali to her therapies.”

A faint smile formed on Alisa’s lips. Her hazel eyes brightened.

Alisa had one-on-one sessions with her therapist. Aside from that, she also attended playgroup. She had more schooling hours than Sebastian. Serena understood that Alisa might already have more awareness about families and the roles of a mother and father. She might not say it aloud, but Serena believed she comprehended more than most people realized. 1

“Daddy, can you teach Ali and me how to swim? I don’t like our swimming coach,” Sebastian suddenly said, his hands on Nathaniel’s face, urging him to look.

A laugh escaped Nathaniel, and faint lines appeared along his cheeks as his smile spread, so genuine it stirred something in Serena, something familiar she wasn’t ready to acknowledge.

Nathaniel glanced at Serena first before turning back to the children. “Why? What’s wrong with your swimming coach?”

But instead of Sebastian, Alisa tugged on Nathaniel’s shirt. “He sound funny.”

Serena was stunned again. Alisa… spoke.

“And he doesn’t give us snacks!” Sebastian added, clearly offended.

Bianca laughed. Celine did too. Serena bit her lip.

Sterling and Silas tried to look unimpressed, but Serena caught the faint lift at the corners of their mouths.

“I’ll give you snacks,” Nathaniel said at once. Then, after a beat, he added solemnly, “Lots of snacks.”

He turned to Alisa, his voice softening as he took her hand. “Does Daddy sound okay?”

Alisa studied him for a moment, then nodded.

Nathaniel fixed his gaze on her, his smile widening. “I didn’t hear you, Ali. Come again?”

Alisa gulped. She pouted and took a step back.

“Go on, Ali. You can tell me,” Nathaniel encouraged.

Alisa forced a smile and gave Nathaniel a thumbs-up. “Good!”

Serena stayed silent as Nathaniel held both twins’ hands. He asked “Tomorrow, can I take you out to the theme park? I want to play with both of you.”

Alisa nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling.

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