Mom nodded and then furrowed her brows. "This happened because Alex helped us, right?"


    I gave a slight nod.


    She lowered her gaze. "Serena, I stopped you two before because I was afraid


    you and Alex would end up like me and Mr. Hastings Senior. The Hastings family''s status is far too high for ordinary people like us. We can never truly fit in."


    I nodded. "Mom, I''ve always understood that."


    I had never med her for trying to keep us apart. I knew her concerns, and I knew that the divide between Alex and me wasn''t just because of her objections.


    Suppressing the bitterness in my heart, I forced a smile. "I used to think I was special, that maybe we had a chance. But after everything that has happened, I see things clearly now. Mom, I just want a simple life with you. I don''t long for anything else."


    Mom pulled me into her arms and sighed deeply. "Serena, I used to think you two were ipatible. But seeing how much Alex cares about you and how he always puts you first... I suddenly wonder if maybe... Maybe I was wrong to stand in your way. What if he really can protect you?"


    Her voice was filled with hesitation. "But... But I can''t take that risk. You''re my only daughter."


    Hearing her finally acknowledge him, I wasn''t sure whether to feel happy or heartbroken.


    After a long silence, I let out a sigh. "It''s all in the past, Mom. There''s no point in talking about it now."


    "I know," Mom said softly. "I just feel for you. You and Alex still care about each other, so why..." She trailed off, and I lowered my gaze.


    ...


    Elena groped around in the


    pitch-ck room that was so dark that she couldn''t even see her hands, but the room waspletely empty. She pounded on the walls with all her strength, but there wasn''t even an echo.


    "Somebody! Let me out! Who are you? Why did you kidnap me?" She was on the edge of copsing.


    Her voice was raw from screaming, but no answer came.


    She had been locked in here for an entire day and night. It wasn''t until her mind started slipping that she finally saw a faint sliver of light breaking through the darkness.


    That was when she realized that it was the direction of the door. She lunged toward it, but just as quickly, the light was snuffed out.


    The moment the door fully opened, she saw who was standing there-Lucas.


    "Lucas? What are you doing here? What do you want?" Her voice trembled with fear as she stared at him.


    Lucas was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit with gold-rimmed sses on his nose. He looked at her with an icy gaze. He let out a low, chillingugh. "Oh? So, Ms Harper, it seems like you stilb remember me."


    "What do you want?" She shrank back in terror, but Lucas took slow, deliberate steps toward her, forcing her into the corner of the room.


    "What do I want?" His voice wasced with malice. "Shouldn''t you already know?"


    The sheer cruelty in his tone sent shivers down Elena''s spine.


    "Do you even know who I am?" Her words were meant to be a threat, but the quiver in her voice betrayed her fear. "If youy a hand on me, there will be consequences."