No Escape from Love novel Chapter 186

Mom's voice was filled with concern. "Serena, I'm really worried about you."

Seeing her tear-filled eyes, I couldn't help but reach out and hold her hand. "Mom, don't worry. These are just small matters.

"Don't listen to Julian's nonsense. As for the situation online, Alex has already asked Oliver to handle it."

Mom hesitated several times before finally saying, "That's not what I'm worried about."

"Then what is it?" I looked at her, and for a split second, I felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.

"Serena, why do I feel like… there's something going on between you and Alex?"

Her gaze locked onto mine. I quickly averted my eyes, trying my best to keep my voice steady. "No… We don't have anything going on between us beyond work-related matters."

I thought my answer was flawless, but Mom's expression gradually changed. "Serena, you're being foolish."

Her tone was filled with frustration. "Do you even understand who Alex is? He's the CEO of Hastings Group—a man even more remarkable than his father. Serena, you…"

Tears slipped down Mom's cheeks. "Serena, are you really going to follow in my footsteps?"

In my memory, after Mom married Mr. Hastings Senior, she had always been like this.

On the surface, she was a normal person, but the moment anything about her relationship with Mr. Hastings Senior was brought up, she would become irrational.

When I was younger, I would be afraid. However, as I grew older, I gradually realized that Mom was punishing herself. But at the same time, she was also tormenting those around her.

"Mom," I said helplessly. "There's nothing between Alex and me like what you're thinking."

"Serena." Mom wiped away her tears. "I've been weak my whole life. I won't let you suffer under the Hastings family too."

"No one is bullying me," I said, frustration and helplessness welling up inside me. "Mom, can you please calm down?"

"How am I supposed to calm down?" Mom suddenly raised her voice. "After everything that has happened, you expect me to stay calm? The Hastings family ruined me, and now, they want to ruin my daughter too."

"What's going on?" Mr. Hastings Senior had just entered when he heard Mom's outburst.

Since Mom had always been gentle, he was visibly startled. But his first reaction was to quickly walk over to her. "Why are you getting so upset with Serena?"

"Mr. Hastings Senior." Mom suddenly turned to him, tears streaming down her face.

"I beg you, please talk to Alex. Everything that happened between us was my fault. If he wants revenge, let him take it out on me—just don't make things difficult for Serena."