Chapter 160

Serena’s POV
I froze on the floor as Georgina towered over me, her face twisted into something barely human. My arms wrapped tighter around my belly as pain shot through my lower back. I couldn’t move, couldn’t even scream—all I could think about was my baby.
“This is all because of you!” Georgina screamed, looming over me with wild eyes. “Everything was fine until you showed up! Just die!”
I saw her raise her hand, ready to strike. In that moment, everything slowed down. I closed my eyes, turning to shield my stomach, when a sharp voice cut through the tension.
“Stop!”
My eyes flew open. Ethan was suddenly there, moving like lightning across the hallway. He shoved Georgina aside with such force that she stumbled backward.
“Georgina, what the hell are you doing?” he snapped, his voice colder than I’d ever heard it.
Instead of backing down, Georgina completely lost it. Her face contorted with rage as she looked from Ethan to me, her eyes bulging.
“This is all your fault, you bitch!” she shrieked, lunging at me again, her manicured nails aimed straight at my face.
I flinched, but Ethan was faster. He stepped between us, blocking her attack with his arm. The sound of her nails scraping against his suit sleeve made my skin crawl.
“Georgina, calm down!” he barked, grabbing her arm and shoving her back.
Her heels—ridiculous six-inch stilettos—betrayed her. She twisted her ankle and went down hard, letting out a pathetic yelp as she hit the floor. Twice she tried to get up, and twice she fell back, whimpering.
Ethan didn’t even look at her. He turned to me immediately, kneeling down.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice tight with worry.
I couldn’t answer. The pain in my back was getting worse, and I felt a strange pressure low in my abdomen that scared the hell out of me. Cold sweat broke out across my forehead as I tried to focus on his face.
People started gathering at the entrance to the hallway, the buzz of whispers growing louder. And then suddenly, through the crowd, came Ryan. The moment he saw me on the floor, his face went deadly white.
“Serena!” he shouted, pushing past everyone and dropping to his knees beside me. His arms wrapped around me, strong and secure. “Are you hurt?”
I tried to speak but could only manage a whimper. The pain was getting worse.
Ethan’s voice came from somewhere above us, shaky but determined. “We need to get her to the hospital. Now.”
Ryan didn’t hesitate. Without a word,he swept me up into his arms in a bridal carry, as if I weighed nothing at all.
I pressed my face against his chest, breathing in his familiar scent as waves of pain washed over me. Please be okay, baby. Please be okay.
As Ryan carried me through the ballroom, I caught glimpses of shocked faces and heard the rush of whispers. I didn’t care.
All I could think about was the little life inside me, and the terrifying possibility that Georgina’s violence might have harmed my child.
Ryan’s heartbeat pounded against my ear as he strode toward the exit, his arms tightening around me with each step.
“Stay with me, Serena,” he whispered fiercely. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
I wanted to believe him, but the pain was getting worse. Tears leaked from the corners of my eyes as I clutched his shirt, fighting the urge to scream.
Behind us, I heard Ethan’s voice turn to ice as he addressed Georgina.
“Don’t say my name,” he spat. “You disgust me.”
The doors closed behind us, cutting off whatever happened next. Ryan was already barking orders at his driver as we reached the car.
“Hospital. Now,” he commanded, sliding into the backseat with me still in his arms.
As the car pulled away, another wave of pain hit me, stronger than before. I couldn’t hold back the cry this time.
“Ryan,” I gasped, clutching his hand so tight my knuckles turned white. “The baby—”
“Shh,” he whispered, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Just breathe. We’re almost there.”
But the fear in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. He was just as terrified as I was.
—
At the hospital, I endured what felt like endless tests and examinations. The doctor finally returned with results that made me go limp with relief.
“Serena, don’t worry. The baby’s fine,” he reassured me with a kind smile. “You instinctively protected your stomach when you fell. That quick maternal instinct saved the day.”
Only then did I feel like I could breathe again. “That’s good
Ryan sat beside me, his eyes never leaving my face.
“You don’t have to worry about her anymore,” he said softly. “I’ll make sure she never comes near you again.”
I didn’t argue. I simply nodded, my mind still replaying that terrifying moment. Loving someone didn’t give you the right to hurt others. Georgina had completely lost control—driven mad by an obsession she mistook for love.
“The doctor said you can be discharged,” Ryan said, helping me up gently. “Just rest for a few days.”
I nodded. “Then tomorrow we can—”
“You’re not going anywhere tomorrow,” Ryan cut me off immediately, his tone leaving no room for argument. “We’re staying here for a few days. End of discussion.”
I looked up at him, almost amused by his serious expression. I reached out and smoothed the deep crease between his brows with my finger.
“Don’t worry so much. I’ll be more careful from now on. It was just… an accident.”
An accident born of someone else’s obsession. Who would have thought Georgina would actually ambush me outside a bathroom?
“Let’s not talk about it anymore,” I said softly. “It’s not worth the stress.”
Once discharged, I made a quick call to Maya, explaining I’d delay my return. I didn’t tell her the full truth—no need to worry her.
“Ohhh, I see she teased. “You two want some alone time, don’t you? Got it, got it. Just rest well, I’ve got everything at the studio covered.”
I smiled and hung up.
“Well,” Ryan said, raising a brow, “looks like we’ve officially entered our couple’s retreat.”
I turned to him, trying to lighten the mood. “So I should be thanking that little ’accident’?”
“Let’s not go that far,” Ryan said with a rare grin. “But hey—blessings and curses often come hand in hand. You’re safe, that’s all I care about.”
“Then smile for me,” I said, reaching out and tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Ryan let me move his face, and the expression I shaped was so awkward it made me laugh out loud.
A manually crafted smile—but one that warmed my heart anyway.