Chapter 296

Serena's POV

My heart sank, but before I could respond, Lucas cut in with absolute finality: "You don't have that choice." His tone left no room for argument, completely denying me any chance to intervene.

Rachel's expression darkened slightly, clearly not expecting Lucas to be so forceful.

"Rachel, my patience has limits!" Lucas pressed further. "I'll count to three, and if you don't agree, I'm taking Serena and leaving immediately! I mean what I say! One, two..."

"Fine!" Rachel finally relented. She had never been able to force Lucas's hand, especially when he showed his ruthless side.

"Bring him over for the exchange," Rachel ordered.

I watched anxiously as the bodyguard restraining Milo walked him toward Lucas, my heart filled with tension and unease. Two of Rachel's bodyguards raised their guns toward us, while Lucas's security personnel responded in kind, creating a tense standoff.

The atmosphere was charged with imminent danger, and my heartbeat accelerated. I feared something would go wrong during this exchange. I couldn't allow Lucas or Milo to be harmed, even if it meant sacrificing myself. I kept my eyes fixed on everyone's movements, ready to react if necessary.

Rachel's threat hung in the air. "Lucas, if you try anything clever, who dies first is anyone's guess!"

I watched as Lucas's cold gaze swept over Rachel before turning toward Milo, who was being dragged closer by one of the guards. My heart ached seeing the little boy desperately trying to be brave, biting his lip to keep from crying as his eyes locked onto his father's face, pleading silently for rescue.

Finally, they brought Milo directly in front of Lucas. The guard restraining him suddenly shifted, releasing the boy while simultaneously aiming his gun at Lucas's head.

I lunged forward and pulled Milo into my arms. Only when I felt his small body against mine, his heart beating rapidly, did I truly believe he was alive and unharmed. Tears threatened to spill, but I forced them back. This wasn't over yet.

I didn't hold him long, though my heart screamed to never let go. Instead, I leaned close to his ear and whispered urgently, "Don't look back, don't worry about anything. Just run straight out that door and find Miles waiting outside."

Milo looked up at me, hesitation and fear clouding his eyes. I gave him my most reassuring look, trying to convey both my determination and my love. Understanding dawned in his expression, and he turned and ran toward the exit.

Rachel's face darkened, and she opened her mouth to stop him, but I quickly stood up. "Lucas and I are both still here. Isn't that enough?" I knew keeping Milo safe was the priority now.

Rachel watched coldly as Milo disappeared through the factory doors. I suspected she understood that the boy had only been bait to lure Lucas and me here. To her, killing Milo wasn't necessary-we were her true targets.

Only when Milo had completely vanished from sight did I allow myself a small breath of relief. At least he was safe now. That was one of my greatest wishes fulfilled.

I turned to face Rachel directly. "I'm the one you want revenge against, aren't I?"

Rachel's lips curled into a cold smile, and Lucas's expression instantly transformed to one of horror. "Serena!" he shouted, desperation edging his voice.

"Lucas, it's okay. I have no regrets," I said calmly, wanting him to understand my resolve. When I'd come here, I'd already prepared myself to trade my life for Milo's safety. Even if Rachel hadn't messaged me, I would have come anyway, willing to exchange myself for Lucas too.

"Don't say another word! You need to leave, leave right now!" Lucas was frantic now, his eyes filled with panic and fear unlike anything I'd seen from him before.

Facing his distress, I began sharing the story of my life: "For so long, I lived under this weight of sadness. After my mother died, things were never good for me. The Sinclair family treated me terribly. Nina constantly undermined me, ruined my reputation, and then there was Ian, that lying bastard."

I continued, carefully tracing the path of my past: "But now, everything has come full circle. Ian is dead, killed by Nina who claimed to love him so much. The Sinclairs aren't doing so well either. Under Nina's malicious management, the family business is failing more each day."

I revealed a secret then: "I never told you this, but I've been working behind the scenes. I've set things up so that at any moment, I could completely bankrupt the Sinclair family."

"Stop talking, Serena. Please, just leave now!" Lucas was practically begging, his voice breaking.

But I needed to finish, needed him to understand my heart. I looked deeply into his eyes, a small, peaceful smile forming on my lips: "As for Nina, a woman I hated with every fiber of my being, I spent so long thinking about how to destroy her, how to make her suffer the way I did. But that's not necessary anymore-you took care of that for me. Those videos you obtained of her despicable behavior, along with evidence of her collusion with the Thorne family, will ensure she faces legal consequences. Her future is already ruined."

"Everyone who needed to pay has paid. There's not much left for me to accomplish, except to honor my mother's dying wish that I live well."

A sense of release washed over me as I spoke these words, the lightness that comes from finally setting down a burden carried for too long.

"I never imagined that in my unlucky life, I would meet someone like you. That I would have Milo and Stella in my world. For me, that's already more than I ever deserved."

These words came straight from my heart. Meeting Lucas and our children had been the greatest blessing, the brightest light in my darkness.

"So, Lucas, my life has given me enough happiness already. I don't want to leave anything unfinished. I don't want the story of my life to have another empty