Trapped in the Don’s Vow (Serena) novel Chapter 28

Chapter 7

The sight of the mansion left me speechless.

It rose twelve stories high, spread across what had to be ten acres, the entire structure gleaming white like a private

version of the White House–grand, regal, and untouchable.

The gardens stretched for what must’ve been a hundred acres of manicured perfection–towering oaks, a private lake, winding paths, and an open gazebo overlooking the water. It looked less like a house and more like a private estate

hidden from the world.

If I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t have believed that such a place could belong to a single family.

Julian jumped out of the car and tugged me along, running straight to a tall silver fir near the main path.

“Mira, look!” he said, grinning. “I planted this tree when I was nine. Almost ten years ago now. Look how tall it’s gotten.”

I tilted my head back, impressed. “You’ve got quite the green thumb. It’s grown tall and strong.”

He laughed proudly. “Of course! I’m the tree–planting king around here. My mom gave me that title before she passed.”

The light in his eyes dimmed for a moment, sadness flickering across his face.

I opened my mouth to comfort him, but he lifted his gaze again, earnest and bright. “Mira, can I plant another one next

to it? For you. So it won’t be lonely anymore.”

Something tugged in my chest.

From our talk in the car, I’d learned how Vincent’s paranoia had built this fortress around his son.

He had enemies everywhere, so Julian had grown up sealed inside this estate, tutored at home, watched by guards,

escorted by convoys.

Even now, as we walked through the gardens, at least a dozen bodyguards followed from a polite distance.

He’d lived his whole life in safety–and isolation. It was no wonder he’d run away; no wonder he’d wanted to breathe.

But the moment he stepped out, he ran straight into people like Tessa and her gang.

I nodded. “Sure. Let’s plant one together. I’m a pretty good gardener myself.”

His face lit up like the sun, and he jumped for joy.

After showing me his tree, he took me to the pond where he fed his fish, then to the stables where he kept his horses.

He told me how his father never let him get close to anyone, so animals had always been his only friends.

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or love, but he wed her to save his first love. Heartbroken, she…

When he said it, his voice wavered with uncertainty, but he quickly forced a laugh.

“Mira, I think my dad actually likes you,” he said. “Usually, if anyone gets near me, he drives them off. But when I said I

wanted to bring you home, he didn’t say a word. I think he’s fine with it.”

His grin widened, boyish and sincere. “You should stay here. Be my friend. Forever.”

I froze, unsure how to answer.

When he saw my hesitation, his eyes dimmed and filled with moisture. “You don’t like me, do you? You don’t want to be

my friend.”

The sight of his trembling mouth broke my heart.

I couldn’t bring myself to refuse, so I nodded. “Of course, Julian. I’d love to be your friend.”

He lit up instantly and wrapped his arms around me in a tight, almost desperate hug.

Across the courtyard. Vincent cleared his throat–once, twice, deliberately.

I quickly stepped back, prying Julian off me.

Vincent waved over a butler and said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “Dinner’s ready.”

After the meal, one of the staff escorted me to a guest suite on the top floor.

Julian wanted to follow, but Vincent stopped him with a word.

As I climbed the stairs alone, unease prickled through me.

Stories whispered through my head–about the people who’d gotten too close to the Crowes and were never seen again.

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Chapter 8

Fortunately, all my fears had been unnecessary.

The housekeeper led me to a bright corner suite with wide windows overlooking the entire estate.

From the balcony, the gardens shimmered beneath moonlight.

When I lay down, I could see the stars through the glass ceiling above my bed.

That night, I dreamed deeply and peacefully for the first time in years.

At dawn, a cheerful knock came at my door–Julian’s voice followed.

The seedlings are ready! Come on, Mira, let’s plant your tree!”

I got dressed and joined him outside. Together we planted a young silver fir beside the one he’d planted when he was

nine.

Afterward, we fed the fish in the pond, brushed the horses in the stables, and for a while, I felt almost weightless–like I’d

stepped back into a carefree childhood I thought I’d lost forever.

Days passed quickly, and before I knew it, two weeks had gone by.

One afternoon, the butler found me and said, “Mr. Crowe would like to see you.”

Julian immediately wanted to come too, but the butler stopped him. “Mr. Crowe said it’s a private matter.”

Julian frowned, disappointed, and stayed behind.

When I reached Vincent’s study, a harsh, ragged cough echoed through the door.

I opened it to find him bent over his desk, his face red, a handkerchief pressed to his mouth–stained with blood.

I hesitated, ready to leave to spare him embarrassment, but he waved me in.

He took a pill from a small bottle, swallowed it with water, and gestured for me to sit across from him.

As soon as I did, his sharp, predatory eyes fixed on me.

That man, Derek Langston–was he your boyfriend?” he asked coldly.

I understood instantly.

“Yes,” I admitted, “but not anymore. I found out he was in love with his childhood friend, Tessa Rowen. He betrayed me

for her–and for her sake, he was willing to see me die.”

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“So now he’s not my lover.” I said quietly, “he’s my enemy.”

To make him believe me, I told him everything–about my past life, about how Derek had destroyed me.

Vincent listened without interrupting. Surprise flickered across his face, but when he saw my steady eyes, he nodded as if deciding to believe.

His tone softened. He pulled open a drawer, took out a document, and slid it toward me.

“I want to appoint you as the CEO of Crowe Holdings,” he said.

I stared at the papers, stunned.

He chuckled at my hesitation. “It’s not because of your business skills,” he explained. “It’s your integrity. And most of all- my son trusts you.”

I tried to answer, but he lifted a hand to stop me.

Coughing hard again, he continued hoarsely, “You’ve seen what he’s like. I’ve protected him too well–he knows nothing of the real world.”

“I’ve lived a wild life,” he went on, his voice weakening, “but he’s the one thing I can’t let go of…”

He doubled over again, coughing violently, blood splattering across the desk.

I rushed forward, trying to steady him, but he pushed me away and gave a wry smile.

“Call it karma,” he rasped. “I broke my vow when I punished those four bastards. Now my cancer’s back.”

Then his expression turned grave, “Consider this my final request–take care of Julian for me.”

He caught my gaze, a faint smirk tugging at his mouth. “You said you’ve lived twice–so if you hurt my boy, I swear I’ll come back and make you pay.”

He coughed again, harder this time.

I knelt beside him and said earnestly, “Mr. Crowe, I promise. I’ll spend my life looking after Julian. You have my word

It wasn’t just a promise. It was what I truly wanted.

In these few weeks, I’d come to love that kind–hearted, innocent boy. To share his life would be my own kind of salvation.

Vincent’s hand relaxed, and for once, he smiled without restraint.

At that moment, Julian climbed in through the back window, grinning like a mischievous kid.

“Dad, you can’t keep me out,” he teased. “I wanted to see what you were telling Mira.” Chapter 8

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Vincent didn’t reply. He simply took his son’s hand and placed it in mine.

Take care of him.” he said quietly.

Then a doctor entered, and Vincent waved us away.

The next morning. he gathered his executives at the estate and publicly announced my appointment as CEO, giving me full authority over Crowe Holdings.

Three days later. Vincent Crowe passed away from lung cancer.

After his death. I led the company through a complete reform–every illegal business was shut down, every operation made clean.

Three years later. Julian and I were married.

And for the first time, life truly felt peaceful.

Chapter 8