Serena

"Well, well, well, the golden grandson and granddaughter-in-law have just arrived. If I were Grandpa, I'd cross you both off the inheritance list."

A sharp-tongued cousin of Lucien's greeted our arrival. Lucien's grip tightened. A grip I'd been resisting ever since we got out of the car, but Lucien kept forcing on me-until he threatened to carry me if I kept refusing.

What a crazy image-conscious jerk!

"Where have you been, dear? Why are you just now arriving?" asked Valérie, my mother-in-law, with a worried tone. She glanced at me briefly.

"Sorry, Mom. I was in a teleconference meeting with a client from Dubai. So you couldn't reach me on my cell right away," Lucien replied, hugging his mother.

I pursed my lips slightly, unmoved by his excuse, which seemed meant to protect me. In the end, it was all for his own benefit.

"Having a personal assistant is pointless if you're just as unreachable," Valérie complained again, shooting me a sharp glance.

"I'm the one who asked for it, Mom. It's not Serena's fault," Lucien insisted, staring at me.

I turned away, refusing to respond.

Valérie's eyebrows arched as she saw me look away. "You-"

"Grandpa, how's he doing, Mom?" Lucien interrupted.

Valérie looked at the white door in front of us. "Your grandpa's stable, but the doctor said not to stress him out. Well, he's getting on in years, isn't he? He's already lived a long life."

I shook my head slowly. What an insolent daughter-in-law. He's just putting on a show in front of Albert, acting all sweet.

"Let's go see Grandpa," I asked Lucien.

"Be patient, honey. I'll check with the medical team first, okay? Wait here for a moment." Lucien let go of my hand, ruffled my hair, and walked toward the nurses' station.

Valérie pouted slightly as she watched her son leave.

"Once Albert is gone, you'll have no one to protect you. I'll force Luce to divorce you. I know for sure he still loves Camille very much," she said in a strained voice.

I remained silent; I couldn't say anything that might cause a scene. This is a hospital.

"You've made all of us look useless in front of Albert. You're such a brown-noser!" she hissed right in my face.

"Brown-nosing won't bring in high profits for the company," I replied firmly with a wry smile.

With a sour expression, Valérie grabbed my wrist, unable to accept what I'd said. "We'll see just how long your arrogance lasts."

She twisted my wrist with a sly smile.

I winced in pain and instinctively stomped on my mother-in-law's instep with my stiletto.

Valérie screamed in pain. Her grip on my wrist slipped.

Lucien's sister and cousin, who had initially been laughing at my mother-in-law's behavior, fell silent immediately. They hurried over to Valérie.

"Mom, are you okay?" asked Niki, Lucien's sister.

"Mom, what happened?" asked Lucien when he returned.

"I'm fine," Valérie replied, glaring at me. "I almost fell-I was startled," she claimed.

Lucien looked at me. He knew his family didn't like me. In front of them, he always stood up for me-of course, so he'd look good in Albert's eyes.

"Come on, let's go see Grandpa, Ser," he said, wrapping his arm around my waist.

My breath caught in my throat as we entered Albert's intensive care room.

His old eyes caught sight of us. A faint smile tugged at his pale lips.

"My dearest grandchildren," he said softly, trying to sit up from his bed.

I immediately approached him, reaching out my hand. "Shh, Grandpa, don't get up." I stroked his sturdy shoulder, now showing signs of age.

Albert chuckled softly. "I'm fine. I just want you guys to pay me a little more attention," he teased, pouting his lips.

Lucien slid the small round sofa toward Albert's bed and gently pulled me to sit there. Albert smiled at him.

"I think I could run all the way around the Eiffel Tower if you two brought news about my future great-grandchild," teased the man with the thick mustache.

Lucien laughed. I just gave a stiff grimace.

"Be patient, Grandpa," Lucien replied, massaging my shoulder.

I shifted uncomfortably. Your patience will never end, Albert. There'll never be any great-grandchildren.

"Could it be that you're not very fertile, Luce? Or... Ser, is Luce not very good in bed? It seems he didn't inherit my charm." Albert narrowed his eyes at his grandson with a condescending expression.

I burst out laughing at the old man's joke-he was still able to joke around despite his pale face.

Lucien just pursed his lips slightly.

Of course-what else could he do?

"Ser?" Albert looked at me, his expression demanding an answer.

I glanced at Lucien, who was looking at me gently. I knew that look was actually a command for me to play along.

"Maybe Lucien really does need a tutor, Grandpa," I finally replied, looking at my husband with a satisfied expression.

Lucien's eyes darkened for a moment before he finally laughed again and kissed the top of my head.

"My wife is adorable, isn't she, Grandpa?" he said, giving my back a gentle squeeze.

Albert chuckled softly. "I know-she's the only one worthy of being by your side. She has all the qualities needed to be the lady of the Hubert household." He looked at me with genuine tenderness, unlike his grandson.

"I'm happy to see you two happy. Promise me you'll always stay together. Prove that my intuition all this time has been right. Okay, Lucien, Serena."

Lucien nodded firmly. I fell silent and could only look down.

"Serena?" Albert realized I hadn't answered him.

I tried to give a small smile. "Yes, Grandpa."

Albert smiled broadly and then asked me to hug him.

I hugged him and, without realizing it, tears began to fall.