Chapter 4 Imprisonment
- Adrian walked toward the walk-in closet, his voice cold and sharp.
- “From now on, handle the pills yourself. I don’t care if you take them before or after—”
- He suddenly paused, turned around, and looked directly at Serena.
- “Remember this. You’re not qualified to bear my child. So take your pills on time… unless you want to face consequences you can’t afford.”
- Her hand trembled as she held the pillbox. Slowly, she opened it and, following the instructions, swallowed the dose.
- After setting the glass of water down, her eyes drifted to a neatly folded set of women’s clothing on the nightstand—complete with undergarments on top. She hesitated, her fingers brushing the fabric before pulling back. Her gaze shifted toward the closet.
- Moments later, the door to the walk-in closet opened. She quickly lowered her head, heart racing.
- Adrian emerged, fully dressed, adjusting his tie as he stepped into the room.
- “Change into the clothes I left you. Don’t wear what you had on yesterday,” he said flatly. When she didn’t respond, his voice turned stern. “Did you hear me?!”
- “I… I heard you,” Serena whispered, her voice barely audible. Fearing he hadn’t heard, she cleared her throat and repeated more clearly, “Yes…”
- He gave her a curt nod and turned to leave the room.
- Serena slowly changed into the clothes, each movement making her wince in pain. Every step reminded her of the night before—of the storm she hadn’t escaped. A wave of nausea rose in her chest, but she forced it down.
- Downstairs, the living room was empty. She stood there, lost and uncertain, until a sudden memory jolted her—her mother. Still in the hospital. Still waiting for surgery.
- Without hesitation, she rushed toward the front door. She couldn’t give up now. Her mother needed her. She had to get to the hospital.
- But as soon as she stepped outside, she froze.
- The two bodyguards from yesterday were stationed at the gate.
- “Miss will, please return inside,” one of them said politely, but firmly.
- “I need to go to the hospital!” she said urgently.
- “The president left orders. You are not to leave the house.”
- “Why?!” she cried.
- “We’re just following orders.”
- She stood frozen, unsure what to do. After a moment, she asked, “Where did he go?”
- “The President is at work. Please return to the house and wait.”
- “I have to go! My mother needs surgery!” she pleaded.
- “The President said you’re not allowed to leave.” Their tone had turned cold. Before she could say another word, they pushed her gently but firmly back inside and locked the door behind her.
- Serena grabbed the doorknob and twisted it desperately. Then she pounded on the door, yelling, “Let me out! Let me go!”
- Later that afternoon, Adrian returned.
- He found her collapsed lifelessly on the sofa, her face pale, eyes hollow. A takeout box sat on the coffee table, untouched — something the bodyguards had likely left for her at lunch.
- He stood over her, expression unreadable.
- “Skipping meals? Starving yourself won’t change anything.”
- Serena blinked, then slowly sat up and clutched his pant leg.
- “My mother… what happened to her? Is she okay?”
- “Eat, and I’ll tell you.”
- She hesitated for a second — then nodded frantically.
- “I’ll eat. I’ll eat right now!” she said, quickly opening the meal and shoveling food into her mouth without hesitation.
- Even though the takeout meal was cold, Serena Will forced herself to finish every last bite. She was desperate—if eating this meant she could hear about her mother, then she would choke it down no matter what. When she was done, she clutched her stomach, aching from eating too quickly, and looked up at Adrian.
- “Now… can you tell me?”
- Adrian watched her for a moment before turning toward the door.
- “Come with me.”
- Without hesitation, Serena followed him. He drove her to a hospital in Dallas, and the moment they arrived, she ran toward her mother Lily’s room—only to find the bed empty.
- She stopped in her tracks, heart racing.
- “Where’s my mom?” she asked, panicked.
- “She’s in the isolation unit,” Adrian replied coolly. “She had surgery this morning. It went well.”
- “Where is that? I want to see her.”
- Adrian turned and walked off. Serena quickly followed until they reached a room behind glass. Inside, Lily lay on a hospital bed, wearing an oxygen mask. She looked pale, but peaceful.
- Serena reached out to touch her through the glass, only to be met by its cold surface.
- “Mom…” Her voice cracked as tears welled up in her eyes, spilling freely down her cheeks. She couldn’t stop them.
- “Why are you crying?” Adrian asked indifferently. “You’ve seen her. That’s enough—let’s go.”
- Serena turned to him, her voice trembling.
- “I want to stay. Just for a little while.”
- His expression darkened.
- “Don’t forget—you belong to me now.”
- Her voice dropped. “Didn’t last night already prove that?”
- He gave a cold laugh.
- “You think one night is enough? You’re not worth that much.”
- His words stung. Humiliation surged in her chest as she looked away, forcing her emotions down.
- “But… my mom needs someone to be with her…”
- “I hired the best nurses in Dallas. She’s being taken care of.”
- “But—”
- “No ‘but’!” Adrian’s tone sharpened. “Keep pushing, and I’ll have her oxygen turned off. Maybe toss her into the streets. Let’s see how long she lasts then.”
- Serena stared at him in shock and fury.
- He gave her a cruel smirk.
- “Hate me all you want. Just don’t forget—I’m the one who saved her.”
- Trembling, Serena lowered her gaze, biting back her words. She glanced back at her mother again and again as she followed Adrian out.
- After they left the hospital, Adrian drove to a high-end Western restaurant in the heart of Dallas.
- “Get out and wait at the entrance. I’ll park the car,” he said.
- Serena hesitated, then nodded.
- “…Alright.”
- He reached over, tilting her chin up.
- “Don’t even think about running.”
- “…Okay.” Somehow, he always knew what she was thinking.
- He snorted, then let her go.
- “Out.”
- Serena stepped out of the car and stood beneath the restaurant’s stone wall, watching him drive off. The wide street stretched ahead of her. The thought of running gnawed at her again. But the image of her mother in that hospital room held her back. She couldn’t. She couldn’t leave her.
- Just then, a sleek, familiar car pulled up nearby. Serena instinctively stepped forward.
- The car stopped. Two women stepped out. The vehicle drove off again, probably heading for parking.
- “Looks like your father finally got through that financial mess,” said Vivian, with a smug grin. “After lunch, let’s go grab those Cartier earrings.”
- She turned and bumped directly into Serena. Her face instantly twisted with irritation.
- “Ugh—watch where you’re going! Can’t you see— Wait a second… Serena Will?!”
- “What are you doing here?” Chloe sneered, stepping beside her mother.
- Serena froze. These two were Vivian and Chloe—the wife and daughter of Richard Will, Serena’s father. The ones who had stolen the life she and her mother should’ve had.
- “Did your mom finally die?” Vivian sneered, clearly enjoying herself. “What are you doing here?”
- As she spoke, her eyes drifted to Serena’s neck. Her expression shifted as she stepped closer, raising a hand to lift Serena’s chin.
- Serena slapped her hand away, anger flaring in her eyes.
- Vivian burst out laughing.
- “Well, well—what do we have here? Are those hickeys? Aren’t you still in school? Starting early, huh? And clearly not holding back either!”