Chapter 48

Serena’s POV
The testosterone-fueled standoff between Ryan and Kane instantly dissolved, both men plastering on practiced smiles as they turned toward her.
The silent animosity lingering in the air remained palpable, but at least they weren’t about to lunge at each other’s throats.
I followed closely behind Ryan as we made our way to the dining room, accidentally catching Kane’s gaze. The cold mockery in his eyes sent a chill down my spine.
There was something reptilian about the way he looked at me—calculating, as if measuring exactly how useful I might be in whatever scheme he was hatching.
Ryan must have sensed it because he suddenly shifted position, putting his body between Kane and me.
“Don’t even think about it,” he muttered to Kane, voice barely audible but sharp as a blade.
Kane’s wheelchair glided smoothly across the polished floors as he laughed. “Think about what, dear nephew? I was merely admiring how… devoted you’ve become. Sophie would be so surprised to see how quickly you’ve transferred your affections.”
My stomach twisted at the mention of Sophie. Ryan’s muscles tensed beside me, his jaw clenching tight enough to crack teeth.
“Kane,” Ryan warned, his voice dangerously low.
I placed my hand lightly on Ryan’s arm. “It’s fine,” I whispered. “He’s just trying to get a reaction.”
Kane’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction at hitting a nerve. I refused to give him the pleasure of seeing me rattled.
“Mr. Blackwood,” I addressed Kane with a deliberately bright smile, “your physical therapy in Switzerland must have been excellent. Your arm strength is remarkable—you’re navigating that wheelchair like a Formula One driver.”
Ryan relaxed slightly beside me, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. Kane’s smug expression faltered for a split second before he recovered.
“Come along now,” Evelyn called from the dining room doorway. “The food is getting cold, and I’ve had the chef prepare all of Kane’s favorites.”
Of course she had.
Dinner was a masterclass in passive aggression disguised as family bonding.
Evelyn had seated Kane at the head of the table—Ryan’s usual place—with herself at the opposite end.
Ryan and I sat across from each other along the sides, leaving me directly adjacent to Kane. Not ideal.
We’d barely gotten through the soup course when Evelyn decided to launch her first offensive.
“I was speaking with the Vandermeer family last week,” she announced, delicately patting her lips with her napkin. “Their daughter just had twins. Beautiful baby girls.”
I stared intently at my soup, willing myself to remain expressionless.
“That’s wonderful,” I replied neutrally.
“When are you two planning to start your family?” Kane jumped in, not missing a beat. “The Blackwood name needs proper heirs, and you’re not getting any younger, Ryan.”
“Our family planning is our business,” Ryan replied coolly.
Kane leaned toward me conspiratorially. “I do hope the issue isn’t on his side. The Blackwood men have always been quite… virile.”
He winked, making my skin crawl. “Though three years of marriage with no results does raise questions.”
My spoon froze halfway to my mouth. I could feel Ryan’s eyes on me, probably wondering if I was about to throw my soup at his uncle’s face. The temptation was strong.
“Perhaps,” I said carefully, “some people understand that children deserve to be born into stable, loving environments rather than produced like livestock to satisfy family expectations.”
Evelyn’s eyes widened at my boldness, but Kane merely laughed.
“Speaking of family expectations,” he pivoted smoothly, “I’ve been reviewing the company portfolio while abroad. Fascinating reading. I have some thoughts on restructuring our Asian divisions.”
And there it was—the real reason for his return, barely disguised beneath family pleasantries.
“Our Asian markets are performing exceptionally well,” Ryan countered. “Record profits last quarter.”
“Yes, but imagine what they could do with proper leadership,” Kane smiled, his eyes cold.
Kane was clearly back to make a power play, and he wasn’t even trying to hide it. He leaned forward in his wheelchair, looking directly at Ryan.
“Nephew, surely you wouldn’t look down on your uncle just because I’m temporarily disabled?”
Kane narrowed his eyes, clearly enjoying the tension he was creating. He was obviously hoping Ryan would lose his temper in front of Evelyn.
“Kane, what nonsense are you talking?” Evelyn sighed heavily. “Your legs aren’t permanently damaged. I won’t have you speaking like this!”
Ever since losing both her sons to tragedy, Evelyn couldn’t bear to hear talk of permanent injuries or disabilities.
“Grandmother, don’t get upset,” Ryan interjected smoothly. “Uncle is just joking. I think what’s most important right now is getting his legs properly treated. It would be a real shame if a temporary condition became permanent due to neglect.”
Ryan shot Kane a cold look, not backing down an inch.
The two men were locked in verbal combat, and I felt a chill watching their exchange. Evelyn, however, seemed oblivious to the underlying hostility, treating it as typical family bickering. After all, with only three years between them, they’d always had a competitive relationship.
“Enough of this talk,” Evelyn waved her hand dismissively. “Let’s eat. Kane has finally returned from abroad—you should stay here at the family home permanently. It would give me peace of mind to see you every day.”
“Of course, Mother. I’ll do as you wish,” Kane replied, but his gaze shifted to me, who had remained silent throughout most of the exchange. He tapped the table twice to get my attention.
“You know, Serena, I’ve acquired several properties near your design studio. Beautiful spaces. Consider them a welcome gift from your uncle-in-law.”
I noticed Ryan’s knuckles turning white around his fork. Kane was blatantly trying to lure me to his side, as if I were some prize to be stolen in their ongoing power struggle.
Ryan’s knuckles turned white around his fork. Kane was blatantly trying to lure me to his side, as if I were some prize to be stolen.
“That’s very kind,” I replied with a practiced smile, “but I’m quite happy with my current arrangements.”
“Are you?” Kane pressed, eyes darting between Ryan and me. “You two seem… distant for newlyweds. I can’t help wondering if all is well in paradise.”
Ryan’s expression darkened dangerously. I knew that look—he was moments away from saying something we’d both regret.
“Kane,” Evelyn interrupted sharply, “you’ve always had a talent for saying exactly the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time.”
Kane laughed, but the sound held no warmth. “Just making conversation, Mother.”
“By suggesting my grandson is an inadequate husband?” Evelyn’s voice could have frozen hell itself. “You demean yourself and this family with such tactics.”
Kane’s smile faltered, but he recovered quickly. “I meant no offense. I just heard they were living separately, and I was concerned.”
How the hell did he know we were living apart?
Scratch that—he probably knew we were already divorced.
The word “separately” was just for show.
Evelyn’s frown was immediate as she turned sharply to me.
“Living separately? What’s this about? Serena, didn’t you promise me you would work things out with Ryan?”
Should I tell the truth?
I let out a nervous laugh, feeling utterly cornered. My eyes darted to Ryan, silently pleading for backup.
If I’d known dinner would be this uncomfortable, I would have claimed illness and stayed home!