Chapter 136

Serena's POV

The headlines dominated my phone screen for the third day in a row. Vanguard Media seemed determined to document every minute Lucas Harrington spent with Rachel Thorne. Today's featured photo showed him opening a car door for her outside Harrington International's headquarters, his tall figure slightly bent in a gentlemanly pose. The caption read: "Power Couple Alert? Harrington Heir Continues to Show Special Attention to Thorne Heiress."

I scrolled past it, my thumb hovering for a fraction longer than necessary. The accompanying article dissected their supposed three-day "courtship tour" across Manhattan - from Central Park to Fifth Avenue's luxury boutiques, and now to the corporate headquarters. Each sighting meticulously detailed, each gesture analyzed.

The quarterly reports on my desk demanded attention, yet my thoughts kept drifting to two much more appealing distractions.

Milo and Stella. Their faces appeared in my mind - Milo's mischievous grin when he managed to sneak an extra cookie, Stella's serious expression as she explained her latest artwork. A smile tugged at my lips despite my mood.

"I need a break," I muttered, reaching for my phone again.I dialed a familiar number.

"Walter? This is Serena."

"Miss Sinclair." Walter's steady voice came through immediately. "How may I help you?"

"Are Milo and Stella home? I was thinking of taking them out for ice cream." The words came out more hesitant than I'd intended.

"Of course. Mr. Harrington specifically mentioned you have unrestricted access to visit them anytime."

I inhaled sharply at the mention of Lucas, keeping my voice carefully neutral. "Thank you. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

The doors opened silently to the familiar hallway. I'd been here times before, but something felt different. The penthouse door was slightly ajar.

I pushed it open, stepping into the expansive living room with its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson River. And froze.

Rachel Thorne stood by the panoramic windows, her elegant figure silhouetted against the afternoon light. She turned at my entrance and our eyes met in the reflection before she faced me fully.

"Miss Sinclair," she said, her smile perfectly positioned. "What a surprise."

I maintained my composure. "Indeed. I'm here for the twins."

"Of course you are." Rachel's voice carried a hint of something I couldn't quite identify. "They're quite fond of you, aren't they?"

Before I could respond, Walter appeared from the direction of the children's wing. "Miss Sinclair, I apologize - the children are just finishing their piano lessons. They'll be out shortly." He glanced between Rachel and me.

"That's fine," I said, deliberately keeping my tone light. "I can wait."

Rachel moved away from the window. "Actually, this is perfect timing. I've been hoping to have a word with you, Serena - if I may call you Serena?"

"Of course," I replied, wondering what game was about to unfold in this sunlit living room. "What would you like to discuss?"

The final notes of Chopin's Nocturne faded down the hallway. Then, a rapid pattern of footsteps broke through the tension. "Mommy!" Milo's voice rang out, pure joy and excitement. He burst into the room like a whirlwind, dark hair tousled, his piano lesson completely forgotten. Before I could brace myself, he launched himself into my arms.

"Hey, sweetheart," I whispered, wrapping my arms around him tightly. His familiar weight against my chest made my throat constrict. Had he grown taller in these few weeks?

Stella appeared in the doorway, her movements deliberately measured - so like her father it made my heart ache. She stood watching us, her gray eyes taking in every detail of the scene.

"You missed my art exhibition last week," she said quietly, her voice carrying across the room. The simple statement hit harder than any accusation could have.

I swallowed hard, keeping my voice steady. "I'd love to see your paintings, Stella."

She studied me for a moment longer, then slowly crossed the room to join us. Each step seemed carefully considered, her expression thoughtful beyond her years. When she finally stood before me, the corner of her mouth lifted in a slight smile that made her look startlingly like her father.

"Will you stay this time?" The question was soft but direct.

From the window, Rachel's voice cut through the moment. "They talk about you all the time, Serena." Her tone was pleasant, almost too pleasant. "It's quite touching, really."

I felt Stella shift closer to my side, a subtle but clear statement of allegiance. Milo, still clinging to me, lifted his head. "Daddy wouldn't tell us where you were! Even when Stella asked!"

"I've been very busy," I said carefully, running a hand through his hair. The excuse sounded hollow even to my own ears.

"Children need stability," Rachel observed, her smile never wavering. "It's so important at their age."

Before I could respond, Milo's grip on me tightened. "I want to go with Mommy!" he declared, the words bursting out like he couldn't contain them anymore.

"Me too." Stella's voice was quieter but no less determined. She slipped her hand into mine, her small fingers cool against my palm.

Rachel's perfect smile flickered for just a moment. "Now, children, I thought we could all have dinner together. I've made arrangements at -"

"No!" Milo's rejection was immediate and fierce. "We want to go with Mommy!"

The sound of the elevator doors sliding open cut through the tension. Footsteps in the hallway, familiar ones that made my pulse quicken despite myself.

Then Lucas was there, filling the doorway with his presence, his gray eyes taking in the scene before him.