His Innocent Sera

Nate woke up to incoherent murmurs. The second thing to register was the excruciating pain hammering his head. Then, a hand found his forehead, caressing it with familiar gentleness. He recognized it immediately. His mom.

"He is waking up," he heard his mom say, her voice croaky but tinged with hope. His eyes fluttered open to find his mom leaning over him, her eyes glossy.

"Mom," he murmured, as the haze in his vision slowly sharpened into clarity. Her lips curved into a gentle smile, a sense of relief flicker through her features.

"I am right here," she replied, her hand resting tenderly on his head. Nate met her eyes briefly before his gaze shifted, searching the space around them. The room was empty except for Killian, who was seated silently beside Ara. A sinking feeling that he might have already lost her settled in his stomach.

"Where is she?" he demanded, eyes locked on his dad.

"Don't exert yourself, Nate. Rest a little. You need it," Ara intervened, dodging his question.noveldrama

Nate's eyes shifted to her, his eyes softening into urgent need, "Where is Sera, Mom?"

"Your mom is right. Rest for now and we'll discuss it once you're feeling better," Killian suggested, his voice firm but tinged with concern. Nate sensed their reluctance, their hesitation.

"You sent her away," he gathered quickly, voice low with cold realisation and quiet betrayal.

"I told you I love her.... You both betrayed me," Nate accused, his gaze shifting between them, burning with hurt and anger. They were his parents. At least, they should be at his side.

Ara shared a worried glance with Killian. She knew he would ask about her. She had seen glimpses of his obsession with her. He wanted her, but more than that, he wanted to possess her. It wasn't love, it was madness. Fierce enough to destroy them both. And her boy was too young to see it for what it really was. He had already done far worse things. He abducted her, and only God knew what else had happened. The girl was beyond devastated when they caught her running in a wedding gown. They saw terror in her eyes, the raw, unfiltered fear that Nate had stirred in her.

When she hugged her and broke down into uncontrollable sobs, Ara had felt a heavy weight of shame and disappointment. She had tried so hard to prevent this, to keep her children from becoming this... but Nate became it anyway. She was still disappointed in Nate, but now was not the right time to express it.

"Nate.." Ara started softly. "A relationship is meant to bring happiness, not sufferings. She doesn't love you. And you can't force her. Holding on will only hurt you more. Let her go," she urged earnestly. He was still too young to understand the depth and fragility of such relations.

"Love can't be caged, and when you try, it turns into torture for the other person. You might think you're protecting someone, or holding on to hope, but in the end, all you're doing is hurting them and yourself," Killian shared from his own experience. They can't share their past with their kids, but that doesn't mean they can't also share their lessons with them.

Ara and Killian exchanged a look of understanding. Killian was still a proud, often conceited man, but whenever it came to his wife, he was nothing but grateful. It could only be luck that he got Ara, even after all he had put her through.

"Let me rest. Leave me alone," Nate responded coldly, looking away. He had figured his parents were against his love. They wouldn't understand him.

"Nate.."

"Please, Mom," Nate intervened, a bit rudely.

"Nate.." Killian started, but Ara stopped him by placing her hand on his. His mind was too clouded, too heavy, he wouldn't be able to understand anything right now.

"Rest. I'll go get you something to eat," Ara said before they rose to their feet. Nate didn't respond.

After they left, Nate reached for his mobile. He knew his parents wouldn't help him. He had to do something himself. He dialed Rio and told him to search for her.

After disconnecting the call, he put the phone away and stared at the ceiling. Through the glass work on the ceiling, he noticed the Band-Aid covering the gash on his cheek The one she had inflicted. Reaching up, he tore away the band-aid. The gash was raw, just like his wounded heart. Though his eyes were blank, an inferno raged inside him. He was hurt, suffering, and his demons howled for her warm comfort. This longing felt like a barbed wire contracting his aching heart.

"You belong with me, Sera, and nothing will stop me from getting you back, he vowed to the air. She thought she had escaped him, but little did she know, she had only fueled his madness, deepened his obsession. She can hide in any corner of the world, change her identity, adopt a new name, build a new life, but it still won't be enough to keep her from him. He'll find her no matter what. She was his. No distance, no person can keep her from him for long.

Nate focused on his training. That was the only way to keep himself from pining for her, the only way to ignore this aching hollowness in his chest He pushed his body past its limit, until his limbs trembled until the pain replaced the craving for her touch. But it could never replace her, the more he ached, the fiercer his longing grew. All he could do was ignore and pretend. He punished himself for turning soft, for betraying his instincts that once made him invincible, and for becoming so fucking weak.

And one day, when this pain of separation got too much to endure, he went to his mom.

"Mom," Nate called, strolling over to her. Ara was seated in the chair, knitting something. She looked up, slightly in surprise. This was the first time since the incident that he had come to her. No matter how much they tried to reach out or get closer, he always withdrew.

He knelt before her and asked, "Where is she, Mom?" He thought she was with his family, but as it turned out, his family had met with an accident shortly after they fled. Mr. and Mrs. Diaz died on the spot, whereas Dyson's whereabouts were still a mystery.

Ara's features softened, "You still can't forget her." He gripped her hand, almost desperately.

"I know you know where Dad has kept her. He hides nothing from you. Just tell me where she is," he urged. He wasn't able to stay away from her any longer. He tried and he failed.

"I can't tell you anything about her. She has moved on, so should you," Ara told him. Nate gave a stiff nod. He knew how much he begged or pleaded, she wouldn't tell him. Giving a stiff nod, he began to stand up when Ara caught his wrist.

"We just want what's best for you, Nate. You deserve someone who will love you with all her heart and soul. Someone who will love you willingly," she told him, emphasising the last part. Nate, without a word, detangled his hand from hers and

walked away.