The Blood Contract
Chapter 34: It just did

Chapter 34: It just did

It was early evening when Darrell and Serena finally arrived at the house. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, the last remnants of daylight fading into a soft twilight.

While Darrell wore a small, easygoing smile on his face, Serena was laughing heartily at something he had said, her laughter ringing out like music in the quiet evening air.

"I mean, ma’am, he will never have the courage to approach another woman in his life again. That was extremely embarrassing," Darrell said, stepping out of the car and moving swiftly to her side to open the door for her. Serena, still chuckling, grabbed the bags from the back seat.

"Of course, he will. He just needs someone to encourage him and maybe educate him a little," Serena commented, her laughter subsiding into a warm smile as she stepped out of the car.

"Give me the bags, ma’am. It’s my job to carry them. Don’t stress your beautiful hands. That’s why I’m here," Darrell said, stretching his hands toward her with a playful yet respectful tone.

"These ones are small," Serena replied, withdrawing the bags from his reach. "I can carry them. You can bring the ones in the trunk."

But Darrell would not relent. "I insist, ma’am. I’d feel very worthless if I let you carry anything into the house. If it’s too much for me, I’ll have the servants carry some of it. But these ones, I can handle. So, please."

Serena gave up and handed the bags to him, shaking her head in mock exasperation. "You have a sugar-coated tongue," she accused.

"Thank you, ma’am," Darrell said, his smile widening as he accepted the bags.

"It’s not a compliment," Serena retorted, though her tone was light. She followed him to the trunk to help with the remaining bags, her movements graceful and unhurried.

Unknown to them, Lucian’s car had driven into the house about a minute before they arrived. He had not stepped out of the car because of an important discussion he was having with a business partner on the phone.

When he was ready to step out, they drove in, and he decided to stay in the car a little longer, telling Adrian to do the same. From behind the tinted glass, which was slightly open—enough to catch their voices but not enough to reveal his presence—he watched them.

At first, he wondered why they were only just returning from a shopping trip they had embarked on in the morning.

But a few seconds later, the small frown that had dominated his face earlier vanished the moment he saw her smiling face. Her laughter was genuine, her eyes bright with joy, and for a moment, Lucian felt something stir within him—something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

His heart fluttered wildly, a strange warmth spreading through his chest.

He had never seen her smile before. Every time he had seen her, she was either glaring at him, frowning, or completely expressionless. But right at that moment, she looked like an angel sent to melt his hardened heart. There was just one problem: her smile wasn’t directed at him. It was directed at someone else.

At the completion of that thought, the frown returned to his face, even more prominent than before. His jaw tightened, and his grip on the car door handle tightened as he watched them walk toward the house, their laughter fading as they disappeared inside.

Once they were out of sight, Lucian finally stepped out of the car.

Inside, Dr. Marlowe was the first person Serena laid eyes on, and worry was written all over the woman’s face. Serena couldn’t fathom why, but the sight of Marlowe’s furrowed brow and tense posture made her own smile falter.

"Thank goodness you’re back," Dr. Marlowe uttered in relief, her voice tinged with urgency. She quickly moved to Serena’s side, taking her hand and guiding her toward the kitchen while Darrell proceeded to her room to drop the bags.

"Is everything alright? Why do you look like you want to share some bad news?" Serena asked, her eyes narrowing as she studied Marlowe’s expression.

"Has the bracelet activated?" Marlowe asked, her tone low and serious.

"Not yet," Serena answered just as they arrived at the kitchen.

"Good evening, ma’am!"

"Welcome, ma’am!"

The kitchen staff greeted her in unison, bowing their heads respectfully. There were about eight of them, bustling around the kitchen as they prepared dinner. The air was filled with the rich aroma of spices and simmering sauces, but Serena barely noticed.

"Thank you," Serena responded to their greetings with a polite smile, though her attention remained on Marlowe. The woman moved to grab a glass of drink she had been heating up in a water bath, her movements quick and precise.

"Drink this," Marlowe said, extending the glass to Serena. "It’s for the bracelet."

"But it hasn’t even activated yet," Serena pointed out, her brow furrowing as she accepted the glass.

"I have reasons to believe the effects will be more overwhelming today than on other days. I don’t want you to go through that," Marlowe explained, her voice firm but not unkind.

Serena hesitated for a moment before downing the drink, the liquid warm and sweet on her tongue. As usual, it took only a few seconds before she began to feel the effects of the drink, a faint drowsiness creeping over her.

"I’ll be in my room," Serena said, returning the glass to Marlowe. She then walked out of the kitchen, her steps slightly slower than usual as the drink began to take effect.

She met Lucian in the living room, and although she initially had no expression on her face, she put on a frown upon sighting him. Ignoring him, she proceeded to her room, her back straight and her head held high despite the growing heaviness in her limbs.

Lucian’s face twisted into a frown as well. He didn’t know why every little thing she did affected him so much. She had been smiling so freely just moments ago, but the moment she saw him, her expression turned cold and distant.

He shifted his gaze toward the kitchen and saw Marlowe coming out of there.

"Welcome back, Mr. Draven," Marlowe greeted, walking toward him.

"What is wrong with her?" he asked, gesturing toward the stairs with his head to make it clear who he was asking about.

"Nothing. I only gave her the medicine for the bracelet, and it’s already working. She’ll be asleep in no time," Marlowe explained.

"The bracelet hasn’t activated yet. Why so early? Has she even had dinner?" Lucian asked, his voice sharp with confusion. He was eager for an explanation, but Marlowe only sighed and shook her head, speaking after a few seconds had passed.

"I received some news from my source today, and it prompted me to act earlier. The location—"

Dr. Marlowe stopped speaking, seeing how Lucian suddenly lifted his left arm and gazed with a frown at the bracelet.

"It just activated, right?" Dr. Marlowe asked in a slightly disappointed tone.

"It just did," Lucian confirmed, his voice low and tense.

"Good thing I acted fast. Don’t worry—she won’t bother you tonight. Let’s talk in the morning, Mr. Draven. It’s very important," she uttered before walking away from his presence.