Chapter 189 Never Give Up

Chapter 189 Never Give Up
Serena’s POV

The ring sent cold chills down my body straight from my fingers.

I stared at it for a long moment with my fingers curled loosely around the metal like I didn’t quite know what to do with it.

It felt heavier than it should—heavier than something so small had any right to be.

My question echoed again, quieter this time around, but settling deeper into me.

It wasn’t just a question anymore, it was something else. Something that settled into my chest and refused to move.

My thumb brushed over the engraved surface slowly.

Head of the family.

The words didn’t feel real. They didn’t fit into my name, they didn't fit with me.

Me?

I let out a breath, shaking my head slightly.

I didn’t even know what that meant, not really. I had seen power. I had seen decisions being made, orders given, people falling in line without thinking twice, I had watched it all from the outside.

But standing at the center of it?

Carrying it?

Leading it?

My grip tightened around the ring unconsciously.

Could I even do that?

Would they even follow me?

A faint sound pulled me out of my thoughts as soft footsteps approached.

I stiffened slightly with my fingers closing around the ring before I quickly slipped it into my pocket.

Not yet.

I wasn’t ready for that. Not ready to explain it, not ready to face what it meant out loud.

I exhaled slowly just as Valentina stepped into the kitchen.

She paused when she saw me there, leaning against the counter with a glass already in my hand.

“You’re up early,” she said softly.

“Yes, you guys practically took over my bed,” I replied, aiming at a light joke.

She chuckled and shook her head, moving towards the counter and pouring herself a glass of water.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable—it just… sank in.

We both drank slowly.

“Did you get some sleep again?” She asked after a while, glancing at me.

I let out a dry breath. “Barely.”

She didn’t push, she just nodded and a few seconds later, I heard movement coming from behind us again.

I knew who it was from the struggle without having to turn.

Her steps were slower than usual, heavier as though she was carrying something invisible, something too heavy to set down.

“Serena,” she called softly and I turned then, setting my glass aside as she walked towards me.

“You should still be resting,” she said, reaching out to touch my arm gently.

“I’m fine,” I replied softly.

She searched my face for a moment like she was trying to decide whether to believe that or not. In the end, she didn’t argue.

None of us did. She just reached out and took a glass of water Val offered, sipping it as we all stood casually.

Until the sound of a car pulling in broke through our silence.

My body tensed slightly before I could stop it, and I didn’t wait for anyone to say anything.

“I’ll be back,” I muttered, already moving.

I stepped out of the small building, relieved for the cool air that hit me as I did.

Nico was standing near the car when I approached and his gaze shifted to me immediately.

For a second, neither of us spoke.

Then—

“How are you holding up?” He asked calmly.

I folded my arms loosely over my chest, shrugging too. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

His eyes stayed on mine for a moment with an unreadable look in them. “That wasn’t what I asked.”

“I’m fine,” I repeated, firmer this time.

A pause. Then he nodded once, like he expected that answer.

“Good,” he said.

Something about that response didn’t sit right with me, but before I could say anything, he continued. “I’ll be taking over from here.”

I frowned slightly. “Taking over what?”

“Everything,” he replied calmly.

The word landed heavier than it should have.

“What do you mean everything?” I asked, my tone sharpening slightly.

“I mean you’re stepping back,” he said simply. “Last night was enough.”

My brows pulled together. “Enough for what?”

“For you,” he said, his voice still calm. “You’ve done enough. More than enough.”

I stared at him. “No,” I said flatly.

He didn’t react.

“I’m not stepping back,” I added.

“I’m not asking you to,” he replied.

That made something in me snap. “You don’t get to decide that,” I shot back.

“And you don’t get to ignore what happened,” he returned just as calmly.

“That’s not your call—”

“I watched you fall apart,” he cut in, lowering his tone slightly. “I’m not watching that happen again.”

My chest tightened. “That’s not your decision to make,” I said through clenched teeth.

“It is when it affects everything,” he replied.

I shook my head, taking a step back. “No. You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to just—just push me out like I’m not part of this.”

“I’m not pushing you out,” he said. “I’m keeping you out.”

“Same shit!”

“Not really,” he replied with a laid back tone.

A bitter laugh left my lips. “You think I’m just going to sit back and let you handle everything?” I asked.

“Yes,” he replied. Just like that.

No hesitation.

No doubt.

My jaw tightened. “And what if I don’t?”

He held my gaze. “You will.”

Something burned in my chest.

And for a moment, I wanted to keep arguing—to push harder, to force him to see reason.

But the look on his face told me everything. He wasn’t going to budge.

Not on this.

Not now.

“Fine,” I snapped finally, throwing my hands up slightly. “Do whatever you want.”

I didn’t wait for a response. I turned and walked away before he could say anything else.

I stayed inside for the rest of the morning. Didn’t do much. Didn’t say much.

Just… moved around when I needed to. Sat here and there. Stood. Walked. Stared.

Everything felt off.

Every time I thought about what he said, something twisted inside me.

Stay out of it.

Like I didn’t belong there. Like I couldn’t handle it. Like I wasn’t enough.

By the time Valentina called me to eat, I was already irritated.

I sat at the table quietly, picking at the food in front of me.

“You need to eat,” Valentina said gently.

“I am,” I muttered, even though I wasn’t really even sure what sat in front of me.

She exchanged a look with my mother before getting up and sitting down beside me.

We kept eating in silence for a few minutes.

Then—

“What happened?” She asked.

I didn’t look up. “Nothing.”

“Serena—”

“I said nothing.”

She went quiet for a second. Then, “Did you argue with Nico?”

My hand paused mid-air, but I didn’t answer.

She leaned back slightly, studying me. “Did he say something?” she pressed.

I exhaled slowly, dropping my fork. “He thinks I should stay out of everything,” I said finally.

“And?” She asked.

I let out a short laugh. “Maybe he’s right.”

The words surprised even me.

Valentina’s expression shifted immediately. “Do you want to give up?” She asked.

I frowned, finally looking at her. “What?”

“Do you want to give up?” She repeated.

“No,” I said instantly.

“Then why are you talking like that?”

I opened my mouth, then closed it.

“I’m not—”

“Do you want to give up?” She asked again, firmer this time.

“No!” I snapped.

“Then stop letting someone else decide what you can or can’t do,” she said.

I stared at her.

“If you don’t want to step back, then don’t,” she continued. “It’s that simple.”

“It’s not that simple,” I muttered.

“It is,” she said. “You either want it or you don’t.”

My fingers curled slightly against the table.

“I just…” I exhaled, shaking my head. “I don’t even know what I’m doing.”

“Neither did she,” Valentina said quietly.

My head snapped up.

“She learned,” she added. “She fought. She figured it out as she went.”

My chest tightened.

“And you think you can’t?” she asked.

I didn’t answer.

“You’ve never been the type to let someone push you down,” she went on. “So why start now?”

Silence settled again. But this time, it felt different. Heavier. Louder.

I looked down at my hands. Then slowly pushed my chair back.

“I’ll be back,” I said, and neither of them stopped me.

I rushed out of the house, jumping into the car and driving straight where I knew there'd be.

By the time I got to the base, the sky had already started to dim.

The place was alive with men moving around, keeping their voices low with the tension thick in the air.

I didn’t stop. Didn’t hesitate.

I walked straight in and didn’t take long to find them.

Nico was standing with Marcus near one of the tables. They had maps and weapons spread out in front of them and were deep in discussion.

I stepped closer and they noticed me immediately.

“What are you doing here?” Nico asked.

“I’m coming with you,” I said.

Nico didn’t even blink. “No.”

I ignored him. “I’m not sitting this one out.”

“You are,” he replied calmly.

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

I let out a sharp breath. “You don’t get to decide that.”

“We already had this conversation,” he said.

“And I already told you I’m not stepping back,” I said through gritted teeth.

“You are not going out there either,” he said, his tone final.

“Why? Because you think I can’t handle it?”

“Yes.”

The word hit harder than anything else then something inside me snapped.

“You don’t trust me,” I said.

“That’s not what this is.”

“That’s exactly what this is!” I yelled.

“No, it’s—”

“You don’t trust me!” I repeated, louder this time.

Marcus shifted slightly but didn’t interrupt.

Nico’s gaze hardened just a bit. “This isn’t about trust.”

“Then what is it about?” I demanded.

A pause.

Then—

“You wouldn’t understand.”

That did it. A bitter laugh tore out of me.

“Of course I wouldn’t,” I said. “Because you don’t say much save it's to Luca.”

“What—”

“You think we wouldn't find out?” I cut in. “Dante told me everything.”

His expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes flickered.

And that was enough.

“You’ve been leaking information to Luca,” I said.

Silence.

Marcus went completely still.

“You’ve been feeding them things,” I continued, my voice shaking slightly now—but I didn’t stop. “That’s why they’re always a step ahead in fights. That’s why things keep going wrong.”

“Serena—” Marcus started.

“No,” I snapped. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

Nico didn’t speak. Didn’t move. Didn’t deny it.

My chest tightened. “Say something,” I demanded.

Still nothing.

“Say something!” I yelled.

The silence stretched.

Thick.

Suffocating.

And then, he snapped. “I did it, okay?!”

“There we go,” I muttered and Marcus stepped back from him.

“Nico, how could you?” He asked.

“I'll do it over and over again!” Nico yelled.

“Why?” I asked.

“Cause I love you!”