Ryan’s POV
I bolted out of my chair the mont I saw the news. Those vicious headlines splashed across the screen—accusing Serena of workplace bullying, claiming she’d driven Holly to suicide.
Complete bullshit, but dangerous nonetheless.
"Get the car ready," I barked into my phone. Simon responded with his usual efficiency, no questions asked. That’s why I keep him around.
The drive to Serena’s place felt endless. Traffic crawled while my mind raced through worst-case scenarios.
I’ve seen how quickly public opinion can destroy soone. Serena doesn’t deserve this—not after everything she’s already been through.
When she opened the door, she practically collapsed into my arms. Her whole body was trembling. Fuck. I’ve never seen her this shaken before.
"I’ve seen the news online. What happened?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady while guiding her inside. Her legs seed ready to give out, so I quickly supported her to the couch.
Instead of pressing for answers imdiately, I pulled her closer. "It’s okay now. You don’t have to be afraid. I’m here."
I felt her gradually relax against as she explained what had happened at the studio with Holly. The situation was bad, but sothing didn’t add up.
"Public opinion doesn’t spread this fast naturally," I told her, my fingers absently stroking her hair. "There’s sothing else going on. Let investigate this for you."
Serena looked up at and shook her head. Those beautiful brown eyes were clouded with guilt that shouldn’t be there.
"Regardless of everything else, Holly is dead. If it really happened because of , I have to take responsibility."
I frowned. "How could this possibly be your fault?"
"Just stop," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "This is my studio’s issue. I don’t want to trouble you with it. Let handle the investigation myself."
She was being stubborn as hell, but I recognized that determined look. Fine, I’d let her believe she was handling it alone while working behind the scenes.
"It’s not safe for you to stay here," I said firmly. "Co back to the Blackwood estate with ."
"Soone’s already leaked your personal information online. It’s only a matter of ti before dangerous people show up at your door. I can’t leave you here alone."
As if on cue, soone started pounding on her door like they were trying to break it down.
"Stay right here. Don’t move," I ordered, my voice dropping dangerously low.
I checked through the peephole and saw so random guy I’d never seen before. The knocking continued, accompanied by vicious shouting.
"You bitch! You killed soone and now you’re hiding in your house?!"
"I know you’re in there, Serena Quinn! Get your ass out here!"
"You need to pay for Holly’s life! With your own life!"
My blood boiled as I yanked the door open, staring the fucker down. "Who exactly are you telling to pay with their life? Who the hell are you?"
The coward clearly hadn’t expected anyone to answer, especially not a man. He tried peering around to look for Serena, but I blocked his view completely.
"How did you even get in here? By climbing the fence?" I stepped closer to him. "Good, I’m calling the police. You can explain yourself at the station."
He visibly trembled at the ntion of police. "Y-you! Don’t act so smug! I’m here for that bitch Serena Quinn, it has nothing to do with you. Are you her lover or sothing? Tell her to get out here!"
I didn’t bother responding with words. Instead, I kicked him hard in the leg, sending him stumbling backward.
"Are you leaving, or do you need more encouragent?" I asked coldly.
The pathetic asshole howled in pain before limping away as fast as he could.
After locking the door, I turned back to Serena. "You saw that yourself. This place isn’t safe anymore. People will co looking for trouble."
She nodded and started gathering so essentials. "I’ll go stay with Maya. Can you drive there?"
I frowned again. "Maya’s just another woman. She can’t handle this kind of situation either."
"I can’t hide in the Blackwood estate forever," she argued. "I need to discuss the studio situation with Maya. Trust , Ryan, I can handle this myself."
I sighed quietly, knowing how independent she could be. "At least stay with tonight. I’ll take you to Maya’s place tomorrow."
To my relief, she agreed.
---
Later that night, after Serena showered, I watched her toss and turn beside . She couldn’t settle, her body tense even in sleep.
Suddenly, she jolted upright, gasping for air, her nightgown drenched with cold sweat.
"What’s wrong? Having nightmares?" I asked softly, rubbing her back in slow circles.
She nodded, still trembling. "I dread about Holly... covered in blood... saying she wanted my life in exchange for hers." Her voice cracked. "She said I don’t deserve to have children. That my babies should follow her to hell."
I pulled her against my chest, feeling her heart hamring wildly. "It’s just a nightmare. Dreams are usually the opposite of reality. None of that is true."
I cradled her face between my hands, forcing her to look at . "You are not responsible for Holly’s choices. Whatever happened to her is tragic, but it wasn’t your fault. And our children are perfectly safe."
I placed my hand gently on her stomach. "Nobody’s taking them anywhere, I promise you that."
She gradually cald down in my arms, her breathing returning to normal as I stroked her hair and whispered reassurances against her temple until she finally drifted back to sleep.
The next morning, I drove her to Maya’s place as promised, though every instinct scread at not to leave her. After making sure she was safely inside, I reluctantly headed back to my car.
Once inside, I imdiately called Simon. "I need eyes on her around the clock. Four n, rotating shifts, discreet but effective. She shouldn’t know they’re there unless there’s trouble."
Then I made another call. "I need everything you can find on Holly. dical history, family background, financial records, phone records for the past month. And I want to know who’s pushing this bullying narrative in the dia."
Whoever was behind this attack on Serena would regret it. I’d make damn sure of that.
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