Chapter 136: Chapter 136

The water splashes in the bathroom, accompanied by the woman’s soft gasps and the man’s low growls.

They moved from the bathtub to the washbasin.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, with eyes full of affection, Serena Keaton paused.

"Baby, you’re distracted, you deserve a punishment!"

Serena Keaton was thoroughly indulged, softly allowing Elias Lancaster to carry her back to bed.

As soon as her head hit the pillow, she immediately fell asleep.

After tidying up the bathroom, Elias Lancaster emerged, gazing at the sleeping beauty, his heart overflowing with happiness. He lay beside her, kissed her lips, and whispered, "Goodnight, my love!"

Serena Keaton felt the warmth, subconsciously burrowing into his embrace. Elias Lancaster smiled, holding her as they both drifted into dreamland.

When she woke up again, it was already ten in the morning the next day.

At noon, the whole family sat together for lunch.

After lunch, Serena Keaton walked in the garden with the two mothers.

Elias Lancaster, along with the two fathers, grandfather, and brothers, talked business, played chess, and drank tea.

"Recently, I always feel like I’m in a dream," Ruby Yates sighed.

"I feel the same way. I’m afraid that if the dream ends, everything will disappear," Serena Keaton said.

Finally reunited with her family, she feared it all might dissolve like a bubble.

"Silly child, life will only get better," Old Madam Lancaster laughed.

Ronan Keaton seemed quite idle, as Nia Irving wouldn’t be back from the orphanage until tomorrow, and everything at the company was already handled by Kian Keaton.

He felt a wave of boredom,

He sent a message in the childhood friends’ group chat.

[Tonight, see you guys at the usual spot.]

Elias Lancaster thought that since the New Year was approaching, it would be nice to get together with some old friends before then.

He replied with a simple "Mm" in the chat.

Ronan Keaton texted Nia Irving, letting her know about the get-together with his old friends that evening.

Elias Lancaster asked Serena Keaton, and she immediately agreed to go.

Serena Keaton was the only woman present at the gathering that night, watching the guys drink one round after another.

She watched Brandon Grayson drink by himself and wanted to ask about Nathan Sawyer’s condition.

She had sent Nathan Sawyer a message when she woke up but received no reply.

Initially planning to visit the hospital, Elias Lancaster reassured her he would handle it, urging her to enjoy the family reunion at noon.

Remembering Elias Lancaster’s promise to take care of it, she assumed everything was fine.

Time slipped by unnoticed, and soon it was half-past ten at night.

Serena Keaton leaned in and whispered into Elias Lancaster’s ear, "Elias, are you guys done drinking?"

Elias Lancaster lowered his head and kissed her forehead, "Are you sleepy?"

"Then let’s go home." Elias Lancaster turned to the others and said, "That’s it for today, we can meet again another time."

Theodore Lynch immediately protested. "Master Lancaster, what do you mean by this? It’s only half-past ten!"

"My wife’s tired. Any objections?" Elias Lancaster replied coldly.

Ronan Keaton watched it unfold with amusement.

"Listen to this—what an excuse. If your wife is sleepy, she can rest on the side. It won’t stop you from drinking!"

Theodore Lynch, living alone, had no reason to go home early to an empty house.

"Young Master Keaton, look at your brother-in-law. Always prioritizing romance over friendship, he only cares about his wife, ignoring his friends," Theodore Lynch complained.

"That’s my sister. If you can’t find a girlfriend, whose fault is that?"

Ronan Keaton retorted coolly.

Theodore Lynch was left speechless, finishing his drink in frustration.

"Sis-in-law, isn’t Master Lancaster cold and aloof? What did you see in him?"

Theodore Lynch was displeased; he was not lacking in looks, had a decent family background, and was far more charismatic than Elias Lancaster. Why couldn’t he find a good girl?

"Elias isn’t like what you say!"

"Isn’t he? Let them tell you if I’m wrong," Theodore Lynch felt he was being realistic.

"Brother is curious too—what attracted you to him? Or was it that... he forced you?" Ronan Keaton asked, intrigued.

Elias Lancaster was also curious. Serena Keaton was initially afraid of him; when did she stop being scared?

"He didn’t force me. When I met Elias, the situation was unusual. I didn’t even get a chance to notice if he was cold," Serena Keaton recalled.

"Sis-in-law, weren’t you afraid you’d wake up to someone unappealing?" Theodore Lynch remarked.

"There was no time for that thought," Serena Keaton glared.

"Elias has always been good to me. He’s not as cold as you suggest," Serena Keaton reminisced from their first meeting to now.

"Hah... Master Lancaster has different standards!"

Theodore Lynch looked at Elias Lancaster.

"She’s the one I’ve chosen."

As Elias Lancaster’s words fell, the room went silent.

Serena Keaton was the one Elias Lancaster had chosen, and true love’s power can change a person.

Thinking back on many things, Serena Keaton felt fortunate.

Elias and she walked a unique path, though filled with ups and downs, the thrill of love never faded.

"Heh, I shouldn’t have asked, I just set myself up for envy,"

Theodore Lynch lamented.

They chatted and joked for a bit.

Seeing how tired Serena Keaton was, Elias Lancaster said, "That’s it for today. Let’s call it a night!"

This time, Theodore Lynch didn’t object.

Everyone finished their drinks, donned their coats, and dispersed.

Brandon Grayson was drunk beyond recognition, and Theodore Lynch took charge of getting him home, grumbling as he helped him out.

"Elias, I want to visit Nathan tomorrow. I’m a bit worried," Serena Keaton said. Thıs content belongs to 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝕟𝕖𝕥

Elias Lancaster furrowed his brows and slowly pulled the car to the roadside.

"Aren’t we going home?" Serena Keaton asked, puzzled.

"Baby, I have something to tell you. Promise me you won’t panic, okay?" Elias Lancaster spoke gently; he had planned to wait until after the New Year.

If she insisted on going to the hospital, he couldn’t hide it anymore.

"What’s wrong? Did something happen?" Serena Keaton’s heart tightened.

"Yes," Elias Lancaster confirmed. "The night you stayed with Nathan Sawyer, she went into labor. The baby was in an incorrect position, resulting in a difficult birth, needing surgery.

But the hospital couldn’t reach Brandon Grayson, and needed a family member’s signature. Before fainting, Nathan Sawyer gave the doctors her family’s contact information.

Her family arrived later and signed the surgery consent, and both mother and daughter were safe. But the day after delivery, Nathan and the child disappeared, and even her parents claimed they didn’t know where she went."

Serena Keaton’s mind went blank, taking a while to process.

Tears quickly streamed down her face.

"Uh... what do you mean... disappeared?" Serena Keaton choked up.

"Don’t worry; I have people searching for her, and Brandon Grayson is looking too," Elias Lancaster soothed her softly, "Don’t cry, she’ll be okay. I’m certain she’s safe now."

"Okay... uh..." Serena Keaton regretted being so oblivious.

Once she cried herself to sleep,

Elias Lancaster drove back to Norris Gardens, carried her to their room, and just as he laid her on the bed, she woke up.

After they showered, lying in bed,

Elias Lancaster diverted her attention by reminiscing about when they first met.