The Blood Contract
Chapter 96: He deserved it

Chapter 96: He deserved it

Two days had passed since Serena opened her eyes to the world again. Two days filled with fussing, coddling, and a kind of babying that made her want to scream and laugh at the same time.

Everyone, from the maids, to Marlowe, to Darell had gone out of their way to treat her as though she were made of fragile glass. She had told them, more than once, that she was fine. More than fine, actually. She felt stronger. Sharper. Like a new part of her had woken up along with her body.

Still, it didn’t matter how many times she insisted. They fluttered around her like overly protective butterflies, making sure she had everything from freshly brewed tea to extra pillows she didn’t need. And though a part of her was secretly touched by the attention, another part longed for normalcy. She wasn’t a porcelain doll.

Lucian, on the other hand, had been scarce. Not entirely absent, but present only in fleeting moments, like a shadow lingering just out of reach, always slipping away before anyone could truly grasp his presence.

She barely saw him during the day. He was almost always tied up in meetings, managing affairs that had spiraled during her unconsciousness. Adrian, too, was in the same position. Serena didn’t blame them. The world hadn’t paused while she slept, and things had clearly piled up in their absence.

But despite the mountain of work, Lucian always managed to make her feel seen. He would appear at odd hours, slipping in like a ghost, but never leaving without saying something that brought a smile to her lips.

It was quiet, a soft side to the hard man she had come to know. And it was enough to make her chest ache with something she didn’t quite want to name yet.

Last night had been the sweetest moment so far. She had agreed to take the power-sealing drink Marlowe offered. It wasn’t an easy decision. The idea of muting her abilities again felt like binding a part of her soul. But Lucian’s logic had been hard to argue with, and even Marlowe promised she could unlock it again at a moment’s notice if the need arose.

Still, it had taken effort to accept it.

When she woke up this morning, there it was beside her bed—her favorite chocolate. Rich, dark, wrapped in elegant gold foil. She hadn’t heard anyone enter her room. No footsteps, no knocks. But there it was, along with a note written in Lucian’s unmistakable hand.

’One promise fulfilled.

Get ready, we’ll go check out your workshop space tomorrow by 5.’

She’d read it three times. Then she smiled so hard her cheeks hurt. That familiar flutter in her belly returned, uninvited but welcome.

The rest of the morning passed in a quiet bubble of contentment. She took her time freshening up, choosing something simple but flattering to wear, a soft cream blouse that hugged her shoulders and dark jeans that made her legs look longer. Her hair, now brushed and tied loosely at the back, bounced as she made her way toward the dining room.

Her mood was light, her body humming with an energy she hadn’t felt in weeks. Each step carried a quiet sort of excitement.

But as she neared the top of the grand staircase, her steps faltered when she heard voices.

Two female voices, hushed and sharp, drifted up from the lower landing. Serena paused, instinctively holding her breath. Her hearing had sharpened again, as if telling her she needed to hear this conversation.

"I feel sorry for Mr. Vincent," the first voice said, heavy with sadness. "Now he’s in a coma, and no one knows if he’ll survive."

Serena’s heart gave a small, involuntary jump. Vincent? The name rang like a cracked bell through her thoughts. Was it the same Vincent she knew or were they talking about someone else?

A second voice responded, brisk and fiery. "Feel sorry for him for what, exactly? He deserved everything he got. Every single blow, every single hit. He deserved it."

Serena’s brows drew together.

The first girl sighed. "Don’t be so heartless. Did you see how badly injured he was that day? Boss really dealt with him. I even thought he was dead already."

"For what he did, he deserved more than that. How can you know the kind of person Boss is and still try to cross him? Isn’t that foolish? If someone barges into my property that way, I’ll pull the trigger without thinking twice. It’s considered trespassing."

Serena frowned.

She hadn’t thought of Vincent at all since she woke up. There had been so much to process—her recovery, the sealed powers, Lucian’s soft gestures. But now, hearing his name, something cold and cautious uncoiled within her chest.

The girls continued to whisper, their voices growing fainter as they moved down the hall.

"I still think Boss should have been a little less hard on him. He’s still human, remember?"

"Whatever. You’re too sentimental."

Serena stood still for a moment, unmoving at the top of the staircase. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind, none of them complete. Vincent... in a coma. It hopefully wasn’t her own Vincent. Maybe some other person.

But as she thought about it, she became restless. If Lucian was involved, then it could be the Vincent she thought it was.

Serena’s foot lifted as she was about to take a step toward the stairs. Her intention was clear, she was going to ask them.

Also, she wanted to match a face to the particular girl that was sounding so cold towards someone that was in a coma.

Before she could act on her decision, a new sound crept up the staircase, making her stop again. It was a new voice, firm and familiar, each syllable tinged with an unmistakable accent.

"You two are supposed to be cleaning, not gossiping," Rhoda said, her tone firm as she arrived at the spot where they stood, narrowing her eyes at them.

The words rolled with gentle authority, and even without seeing her, Serena could picture the way the woman’s brows must have furrowed as she climbed the stairs, apron swaying, shoes tapping softly against the floor.

"We are cleaning!" the two maids chorused hastily from below, their voices rising in defensive unison.

Serena remained motionless, watching the top of the staircase as Rhoda’s steps grew louder. When she finally appeared, her head lifting to spot the figure waiting above, she froze mid-step.

"Oh—Good morning, madam," Rhoda greeted quickly, dipping into a small curtsey, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. She had a basket of clothes in her hand.

Below, the two maids stiffened instantly, their chatter dying in their throats as realization dawned. Rhoda had greeted someone. And that someone was Serena.

Their faces paled. Their eyes widened just slightly before dropping to the floor.

Serena stepped forward fully now, her expression calm but unreadable, like the still surface of a lake hiding deep waters underneath.

"Good morning, madam," they echoed quickly, almost tripping over their words as they lowered their heads.

"Thank you," she replied smoothly, but her voice held a quiet steel. "You were talking about a Mr. Vincent in a coma just now. Which Vincent is that?"

She went straight to the point. No room to wriggle. The air thickened instantly.

The girls exchanged a nervous glance, their fear practically tangible. They had thought she was already in the dining room with the others that was why they had been talking about the matter freely at that part of the house.

They thought of how to escape the question, but Serena’s gaze pinned them in place, giving no room for evasion.

When they hesitated for too long, Serena took another step closer, her eyes narrowing just slightly. "I asked a question," she said, her tone low and firm. "I expect an answer."

It was the second girl—the one whose voice had carried such fire earlier—who cracked first. She bit her lower lip, swallowed, and finally spoke.

"Vincent... Vincent Morgan," she said. "He... he was here a few days ago and had a fight with Boss."

The words hit Serena like a slap. Her breath caught.

Vincent fought with Lucian and was in a coma and no one even tried to tell her about it. What was wrong with everyone of them? She wanted to ask further questions, but her fury was already eating deep into her heart.

Her hands curled into fists at her sides.

She didn’t wait to hear anything more. Her body moved on its own, each step purposeful as she pivoted sharply and marched down the stairs and down the hallway toward the dining room. Her heart raced with each movement, a storm of emotion building inside her.

By the time she arrived at the dining room, she met only Adrian and Darrell. No Lucian.

The duo knew something was wrong the moment they saw her arrive with tightly knitted brows. Before any of them could react, she spoke.

"Where is Lucian?" The question dropped off her lips like a bomb.

"What’s wrong, Madam?" Darrell asked, worry growing inside of him.

"Answer the question. Where is he?" Serena demanded more insistently.

"He’s in the office," Adrian answered this time, and Serena didn’t waste another second there. She marched toward the office.

"Something is definitely wrong," Adrian commented, dropping the tablet he was using on the table and moving to follow Serena.

Darrell didn’t wait around either. He followed Adrian, only pausing when he met Marlowe outside.

"What’s going on?" She asked with a confused expression, seeing how Adrian just turned the corner to the office and Darrell was heading there too.