Chapter 251

Chapter 251
Serena’s POV

Caiden didn’t move. He just stared at me like he hadn’t heard a word. Then his hand lifted again, reaching for me, for my face, but before he could, Hades had him by the collar.

The next few seconds blurred into chaos.

Bam!

Crash!

Thud!

Hades slammed him once, twice, thrice into the side of the car. I heard the dull crunch of impact, the sound of anger barely contained.

“Stop!” I shouted, grabbing Hades’ arm, but he didn’t hear me. His eyes, god, his eyes weren’t their usual deep blue hue anymore. They’d turned darker, glowing faintly like the beast in him had surfaced.

“Go away, Caiden,” he growled, his voice dropping to something feral, almost unrecognizable. “Or I’ll kill you and send your rotten body to your family for disrespecting Serena.”

And with that, he flung him aside one last time. Caiden’s body hit the ground hard, rolling before stopping near the edge of his car.

He coughed, spat blood, and still, still managed to stand.

He looked at me again.

His voice was hoarse, shaky. “You’ve hurt me, Serena,” he said. “And later… I bet you’ll regret this. You’ll regret choosing this dick,” his gaze cut sharply toward Hades, “over me.”

Something in me snapped.

I exhaled a shaky breath and shook my head slowly, almost pitying him. “No,” I said softly, meeting his eyes. “I won’t, Caiden.”

I took a step forward, chin lifted. “Because you’re the real dick.”

He froze.

“Get out.”

This time, he didn’t argue. He just stared at me, a long, bitter stare filled with things he wouldn't dare say aloud, then turned, limping toward his car. The engine roared to life, and the tires screeched as he sped off, leaving behind the smell of burning rubber and dust.

The silence that followed was thick, heavy, almost suffocating.

Hades’ chest still heaved like he’d just run through fire. I reached for his hand, and the sight of blood on his knuckles made my stomach tighten. The red stood out sharply against his pale skin. My thumb brushed over his bruised knuckles gently, careful not to hurt him further.

“Hey,” I whispered, stepping closer. “Are you okay?”

He didn’t respond right away. His jaw flexed, muscles tightening and loosening as if he was still fighting the urge to go after Caiden again. His eyes — dark and stormy — were locked on the ground, but I could tell his mind wasn’t here anymore. It was still caught in that moment. The fight. The fury. The need to protect.

“Hades,” I said softly, “I’m sorry you had to face that because of me.”

He shook his head once, sharp and firm. Then he exhaled, turning slightly away as his hand went through his hair. The motion was rough, tired. “It’s not because of you,” he said finally, his voice deep but calm. “You don’t need to apologize.”

I took a small step closer until my fingers brushed the side of his arm. His body was warm, his breathing still uneven, but the tension in his shoulders was starting to ease.

“Thank you,” I murmured, my voice barely above the whisper of the wind. “For showing up when you did.”

That made him glance down at me. His lips lifted just slightly, a small, weary smile that carried too much emotion for words. “I’ll always show up for you, Serena,” he said, his tone low but certain.

The words sank deep into me. I smiled faintly, leaning a little against his shoulder. The air smelled like dust, sweat, and blood, yet somehow, in his presence, it all felt safe.

Still, something inside me ached. Not for Caiden. That pain was gone, replaced by something heavier, sorrow for the person he’d become. The guy who once bought me ice cream has now left blood stains on driveways and venom on his tongue. I couldn’t reconcile the two versions of him anymore.

When I looked back at Hades, his eyes had softened again, the storm receding. He intertwined his fingers with mine, but as I caught the faint shadow crossing his expression, a nervous thought flashed through me.

Was he… thinking about what Caiden said?

My chest tightened. I stepped back, turning my face away in sudden embarrassment.

“Serena?” Hades’ brows knit slightly.

I swallowed hard. My fingers fidgeted at my sides, and before I could stop myself, the words tumbled out. “Caiden didn’t lie,” I said, voice low. “We had… he had touched me then and—”

The rest of the sentence died on my lips. My cheeks burned as I looked anywhere but at him.

For a long second, he said nothing. I thought he’d look at me differently now, maybe judge me, even regret defending me. But instead, he stepped closer and took my hand again, his touch grounding me.

“What is this?” he asked quietly. “Are you feeling ashamed before me?”

I blinked, startled by the gentleness in his tone.

“You don’t have to,” he said simply.

“Hades, about what he said…” I began, voice shaky.

He cut in softly, thumb brushing the back of my hand. “Caiden said those things to mortify you, and to trigger me.”

I bit my lip. “But… he didn’t lie.”

Hades’ gaze didn’t waver. “And I don’t give a damn about what happened between you two in the past,” he said firmly, his tone laced with conviction. “Even if you had slept with him… it was in the past. We’re in the present.”

He moved closer, his free hand lifting to my face, his thumb caressing my cheek gently. The warmth of his skin sent a ripple down my spine.

“You chose me,” he murmured, his voice low, deep, and unshaken. “You want to spend eternity with me now, and that’s what matters.”

My heart caught in my throat. The sincerity in his voice left me breathless. He wasn’t demanding love. He was accepting me, all of me, the light, the guilt, the broken parts I tried to hide.

His eyes softened further as he tilted his head and pressed a small kiss to my forehead. The simple gesture broke something inside me.

“You chose me,” he whispered against my skin, “and we’re going to be together. Build more great memories. Okay?”

My voice wavered, but I managed to nod. “Okay.”

He smiled faintly. His gaze lingered on me, first my eyes, then down to my lips. I noticed the way his Adam’s apple moved when he gulped.

My heart started racing.

“What?” I asked, trying to lighten the tension, but my voice came out too soft, too breathless.

“Nothing,” he said, almost smiling. “Just…” His hand slid from my cheek to the back of my neck, his thumb grazing my jaw.

My pulse jumped.

Then he leaned in.

His lips brushed mine lightly at first, just a whisper of touch that sent shivers down my spine. It was soft, hesitant, like he was asking for permission rather than taking it.

I froze for a second, and then… I kissed him back.