Chapter 76

Serena’s POV
Ryan’s face lights up instantly when I tell him to explain. There’s a boyish eagerness in his expression as he leans forward, ready to clear the air between us.
“That lipstick mark happened when Sophie stumbled into me. She was crying, and I reached out to steady her. That’s when she fell against my shoulder,” Ryan explains, his eyes locked on mine, watching for my reaction. “Nothing more happened between us, I swear.”
I study his face carefully. The tightness around his eyes, the way his brow furrows slightly—these are Ryan’s tells when he’s being honest. After years of marriage, I know his expressions well enough to read the truth in them.
“Fine,” I sigh, deciding to let it go. “I believe you.”
Relief washes over his face, and his shoulders visibly relax. “Thank you,” he says softly, reaching for my hand across the table.
“Don’t push it,” I warn, but I don’t pull away. His thumb traces small circles on my palm, a gesture so familiar it sends a wave of nostalgia through me.
“How’s your pregnancy going?” Ryan asks, changing the subject. “Don’t you have another checkup soon?”
I’m surprised he remembers. “Yes, next week actually.”
Ryan nods firmly. “I’ll go with you.”
“We’ll see on the day,” I shrug, not wanting to commit. “If you’re too busy, don’t worry about it.”
I know exactly how packed Ryan’s schedule usually is—board meetings, investor calls, endless business dinners. I’ve spent enough lonely evenings to have realistic expectations.
“A prenatal checkup is important,” Ryan insists, his voice softening as he moves to sit beside me, his arm sliding around my shoulders. “I won’t be busy. Trust me.”
I don’t resist his embrace. It feels… nice. Comforting.
Milton finishes tidying the kitchen and slips out quietly, throwing me a knowing smile before closing the door behind him.
When the day of my appointment arrives, Ryan shows up at my building early, waiting for me downstairs. I’m surprised to see his schedule completely cleared—no urgent phone calls, no Simon hovering nearby with documents requiring immediate attention.
At the hospital, Ryan stays by my side through every examination, watching with genuine interest as the technician explains each test. When the ultrasound reveals our baby’s tiny form on the screen, his hand finds mine and squeezes gently.
“Look at that,” he whispers, voice filled with awe.
The technician smiles at us. “Would you like to know the gender?”
Ryan looks at me questioningly, and I nod.
“It’s a boy,” the technician announces.
Ryan’s face breaks into the widest smile I’ve seen in years. His joy is so unrestrained, so genuine, that for a moment I forget all our problems.
“A son,” he murmurs, his eyes suspiciously bright. “Our son.”
During the blood draw, he sits beside me, distracting me with stories from work. When my legs cramp up during the long wait between tests, he massages my calves without being asked, ignoring the curious glances from other patients.
“Are you comfortable?” he keeps asking. “Do you need water? Are you hungry?”
By our final test, I’m actually enjoying his attentiveness. It’s been so long since anyone treated me with such care.
That’s when his phone rings.
I glance at the screen and recognize the name immediately. “Sophie’s calling,” I say, nodding toward his phone. “Go ahead and answer it.”
Ryan studies my face carefully before accepting the call. “What is it?” His tone is clipped, professional.
I can’t hear Sophie’s side of the conversation, but Ryan’s face gradually darkens.
“Why would you go to the construction site?” he asks, frowning deeply.
I try not to eavesdrop, focusing instead on the final test results the nurse hands me. Everything looks normal—thank goodness.
“I should head home,” I tell Ryan once he ends the call. “You clearly have something urgent to handle.”
Ryan reaches for my hand, gripping it tightly. “I’ll take you home first.”
In the car, curiosity gets the better of me. “Was that Sophie calling?”
Ryan nods, keeping his eyes on the road. “Yes. There was an accident at one of our project sites. She got hurt.”
“Oh,” I say, processing this information. “Are you going to visit her at the hospital?”
Ryan doesn’t answer immediately.
“Why don’t I come with you?” I suggest suddenly, surprising even myself. “I’d like to see what game she’s playing.”
“You won’t be upset?” Ryan asks cautiously.
“Do I seem that petty to you?” I shoot back, signaling the driver to change direction.
At the hospital, Ryan stays close, one hand always at my back, warning me about steps and uneven flooring as we walk. His protectiveness is almost comical—I’m pregnant, not made of glass.
When we enter Sophie’s room, her eyes light up at the sight of Ryan before quickly noticing me beside him. The sparkle dims slightly, but her polite smile remains fixed in place.
“Ryan, you came,” she says, voice breathy with relief.
Then, with a performance worthy of an Oscar: “Serena, you’re here too? I’m so sorry to trouble you both.”
I survey Sophie critically. Her leg is in a cast, but everything else about her seems perfectly composed—hair styled, makeup flawless, hospital gown somehow looking designer on her slender frame. Not exactly the disheveled appearance of someone who’s just survived a construction accident.
“Ryan, the project manager is waiting in the hallway,” Sophie says softly. “He can explain what happened.”
Ryan nods and turns to me. “Wait here, I’ll be right back.”
He helps me into a nearby chair before stepping out.
The moment the door closes, the atmosphere in the room changes instantly.
Sophie’s eyes lock with mine, all traces of vulnerability vanishing. We stare at each other, two women who understand exactly what the other wants.
“You’re getting quite big, aren’t you?” Sophie remarks suddenly, her smile turning cold. “Must be far along now.”
I raise an eyebrow, surprised by how quickly Little Miss Perfect has dropped her act. “Yes, just had my checkup today actually.”
Sophie laughs, a sharp, unpleasant sound. “Prenatal screenings only tell you so much. You never know if there might be defects or… other problems. Such unpredictable things, babies.”
My body tenses, blood running cold at her implied threat. “What exactly are you saying?”
“Exactly what you think I’m saying,” she responds, dropping all pretense. “If I were you, carrying Ryan’s child, I’d stay quietly at home instead of parading around. Your relationship with Ryan was never strong to begin with—if something happened to that baby, he’d have no reason to keep you around.”
Her face is triumphant, smug. I stand up so quickly my chair scrapes against the floor.
“Are you threatening my child?” My voice shakes with rage.
“Do you really think Ryan cares about you as a person?” Sophie taunts. “You’re deluding yourself, Serena. You’re nothing but an incubator for his heir.”
Something snaps inside me. Before I can think, I step forward and slap her hard across the face.
Sophie doesn’t even try to dodge. Instead, her eyes flash with excitement as she wails dramatically, transforming back into the fragile victim in an instant.
“Serena! What did I ever do to deserve this?” she cries, tears appearing on command.
“You manipulative bitch! I’ll show you exactly what you deserve!” I raise my hand again, wanting nothing more than to wipe that fake innocence off her face.
I was too soft-hearted before. This viper should never have been allowed back into our lives!
The door opens, and Ryan rushes in, catching my wrist mid-air. His expression darkens as he takes in the scene.
“Serena, let’s talk this through calmly,” he says, his grip firm on my arm.