Serena’s POV
I woke up to sunlight streaming through unfamiliar curtains, montarily disoriented until the mories of last night ca flooding back.
Ryan’s drugged state. His unexpected passion. My embarrassing surrender.
"Shit," I muttered, sitting up abruptly. The space beside was empty, the sheets cool to the touch. Of course he’d left. What had I expected?
A quick glance at the clock showed it was already past eight.
Evelyn would be expecting for breakfast - her morning ritual that no one in the household dared to miss.
I groaned, knowing she’d be insufferably smug if she suspected what had transpired between her grandson and .
After a hasty shower to wash away the evidence of last night’s weakness, I dressed in a simple white blouse and pencil skirt.
"Good morning, dear!" Evelyn chirped as I entered the dining room. Her eyes glead with expectation, scanning from head to toe as if looking for visible signs of her plan’s success.
Ryan sat at the opposite end of the table, hidden behind a financial newspaper. The coward couldn’t even face .
"Sleep well?" Evelyn asked innocently, pouring a cup of tea.
"Like the dead," I replied flatly, taking my seat. "Must have been sothing in that special tea you served last night."
The newspaper lowered slightly, revealing Ryan’s tense expression. Our eyes t briefly before he retreated behind his paper fortress.
"I’m so pleased to hear it," Evelyn continued, oblivious to my sarcasm. "Ryan, darling, you look particularly refreshed this morning as well."
Ryan rely grunted in response, which only widened Evelyn’s smile.
"I was just telling Ryan that I’ve scheduled an appointnt with Dr. Richardson next week," she announced, placing a plate of fresh fruit before . "He’s the best fertility specialist in the city."
I nearly choked on my tea. "Excuse ?"
"Well, if you two are trying for a baby, we should ensure everything is in perfect working order."
She explained, as if discussing the weather. "Your diet will need adjustnts too. More folic acid, less caffeine."
Ryan finally lowered his newspaper completely. "Grandmother, that’s enough."
"Nonsense! Family planning is nothing to be ashad of," Evelyn insisted. "Why, your grandfather and I consulted specialists when—"
"I have etings all morning," Ryan interrupted sharply. "Serena, didn’t you ntion needing a ride to your studio?"
I hadn’t, but I seized the lifeline. "Yes, actually. We should go now if you’re to make your first appointnt."
Evelyn looked disappointed but didn’t protest as Ryan and I made our hasty exit. The silence in the car was deafening as we pulled away from the mansion.
"About last night," Ryan finally began, his knuckles white against the steering wheel.
"Let’s not," I cut him off. "It was a mistake facilitated by whatever your grandmother put in your drink."
His jaw tightened. "Is that what you think? That it was just the drug?"
"What else would it be?" I laughed bitterly. "Three years of marriage and you barely touched . One drugged night and suddenly you can’t keep your hands off ? Please."
Ryan took a sharp turn, pulling into an empty parking lot before slamming the car into park. "It wasn’t just the drug, Serena."
"Don’t," I warned, staring straight ahead. "Don’t you dare try to rewrite our history now."
"I’m not," he insisted, turning to face . "The drug lowered my inhibitions, yes, but the desire was already there."
"Save it," I snapped. "When are you telling your grandmother about our divorce? She’s planning our fertility treatnts, for God’s sake!"
Ryan ran a hand through his hair, a rare gesture of frustration. "I’ll tell her soon. But there’s no rush, is there? Unless..." His eyes narrowed. "Unless you’ve t soone."
The accusation caught off guard. "What?"
"Is that it? You’re seeing soone new?"
"That’s none of your business," I replied automatically, though there was no one.
Ryan’s expression darkened. "So there is soone."
"I didn’t say that," I argued, irritated by his assumption. "But even if there were, we’re divorced, Ryan. You have no claim on anymore."
Before he could respond, my phone chid with a text notification. I glanced down, montarily distracted.
From: Triton
Just landed in town. Dinner tonight? I’ve missed your face.
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
Most people knew him by his hacker handle—Triton. That was how I knew him, too.
We’d t by pure chance. He ca across so of my designs online and reached out, saying he saw real potential in them.
To my surprise, he not only appreciated my work but seed to understand my creative vision better than anyone else ever had.
We hit it off almost imdiately—especially when it ca to design. He had an eye for detail and a mind that worked in sync with mine.
Whenever I was stuck, he always knew just the right thing to say—or the perfect reference to send.
Over ti, I found myself turning to him not only for creative input, but also for comfort, especially during the lowest points of my failed marriage.
We’d never t in person, never even exchanged photos.
Our entire friendship played out through a secure, encrypted app. And yet, sohow, he beca one of the few people I truly trusted. One of the few who got .
Not that I wasn’t curious. I an, who wouldn’t wonder what the infamous "Triton" looked like in real life?
"Who’s that?" Ryan demanded, craning his neck to see my screen.
I tilted the phone away instinctively. "Just a friend. And again, none of your business."
"A friend who makes you smile like that?"
"Just drive, Ryan," I sighed. "Take back to my apartnt. I have work to do."
He started the engine with more force than necessary, rging back into traffic. "Is it serious?"
"Oh my God," I groaned. "Are you serious right now? You spend three years ignoring , divorce , and now you’re interrogating about my social life?"
"I have a right to know—"
"You have no rights where I’m concerned," I interrupted coldly. "Not anymore."
We drove the rest of the way in tense silence. When we reached my apartnt building, I couldn’t get out of the car fast enough.
"Serena," Ryan called as I stepped out. "Last night ant sothing."
I leaned down, eting his gaze directly. "Last night was a drug-induced mistake that we’ll both pretend never happened. Goodbye, Ryan."
I quickly typed a response to Triton as I walked away:
To: Triton
Yes! Harvest & Hearth at 8? Can’t wait to see you too.
---
The studio was buzzing with activity when I arrived. My assistant, Lucy, intercepted before I could reach my office.
"There’s a drop-dead gorgeous guy asking for you," she whispered conspiratorially. "He’s been waiting in the reception area for twenty minutes."
Maya appeared from around the corner, grinning like a cat. "When were you going to tell us about this mystery man? He’s sex on legs, Serena!"
"What are you talking about?" I frowned, peering toward reception.
And there he was - Triton, tall and lean in dark jeans and a charcoal button-down, his usual mischievous smile in place. He’d cut his hair since I’d last seen him, the shorter style emphasizing his sharp cheekbones and jawline.
"Triton!" I exclaid, hurrying over to embrace him. "I thought we were eting tonight!"
He lifted off my feet in a bear hug. "Couldn’t wait. Plus, I wanted to see this famous studio of yours."
"You should have called ahead," I scolded, though I couldn’t stop smiling. "I would have cleared my schedule."
"And ruin the surprise?" He raised an eyebrow. "Not a chance."
I turned to find Maya and Celeste watching us with undisguised curiosity.
"Ladies, this is..." I hesitated, realizing I didn’t actually know his na.
He offered them a charming smile and smoothly stepped in. "Julian," he said. "I’m an old friend."
I blinked, then recovered quickly. "Right. Julian, et my business partner Maya and our design coordinator Celeste."
"The infamous Dreamland crew," Julian nodded, flashing them a charming smile. "Serena’s told all about you."
"Funny, she’s never ntioned you," Maya replied, giving a look that clearly said ’we’ll discuss this later.’
"That’s because Julian values his privacy," I explained, shooting him a aningful glance. "He’s in cybersecurity."
Julian laughed. "What she ans is I’m a professional paranoid who changes phones every month and uses encrypted everything."
"How mysterious," Celeste comnted, obviously impressed.
"And completely necessary in my line of work," he added with a wink. "You wouldn’t believe the security vulnerabilities most people live with."
Maya sidled up to while Celeste continued chatting with Julian. "He’s hot. Why haven’t you jumped on that?"
"It’s not like that," I whispered back. "We’re just friends."
"Uh-huh," she smirked. "The way he looks at you says otherwise."
I rolled my eyes. "You’re imagining things."
"Am I?" Maya challenged. "Because that man has ’interested’ written all over his face."
Before I could argue further, Julian turned back to . "So, still on for dinner? Or can I convince you to play hooky for lunch instead?"
"Lunch sounds perfect," I agreed, grateful for the excuse to escape Maya’s inquisition. "Just let grab my purse."
"Take the whole day," Maya called after . "God knows you need a break."
Ten minutes later, Julian was holding the door of a sleek black Aston Martin open for .
"Seriously?" I laughed, eyeing the luxury vehicle. "This is your car?"
He slid into the driver’s seat with easy grace. "Who says it’s mine? It’s just a rental."
"Now that sounds more like the Julian I know who lived on ran noodles and caffeine," I teased.
His smile turned enigmatic. "So where are you taking to eat?"
I gave him a mischievous grin. "You’ll see. I’ve got a place in mind that I think you’ll love."
When we arrived at the restaurant, it was already bustling despite being before the typical lunch rush.
Harvest & Hearth was clearly living up to its reputation as the hottest new place in town.
We were quickly seated, and Julian looked around appreciatively at the lively atmosphere.
"This place must be hard to get a reservation at," he comnted.
"Not too bad," I shrugged, playing it cool despite having called in three favors to secure our table.
As I reached for my nu, a familiar figure caught my eye across the restaurant. My stomach dropped.
Ivy Hart was sitting at a corner table, her golden curls unmistakable even from this distance. And she was staring directly at us.
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