CEO's Regret After I Divorced Chapter 43 Did his allergies magically disappear?

Serena’s POV

It wasn’t long before Mr. Quinn appeared.

I noticed Mr. Quinn arriving with a young woman by his side—his apprentice designer from overseas who was looking to establish herself here in the city.

The event tonight was partly orchestrated to help expand her network, quite the grand introduction.

Maya and I made our way over to greet them. In the design world, Mr. Quinn was practically royalty—soone nobody would dare disrespect.

"Dreamland Jewelry," he said, nodding appreciatively as we approached. "I’ve heard about your brand. Quite impressive reputation. I didn’t expect the founders to be so young—you two have remarkable potential ahead of you."

Maya imdiately blushed at his praise, waving her hands dismissively. "Mr. Quinn, this is all Serena’s achievent. I just handle the business side of things."

"So you’re the famous Lazuli," Mr. Quinn’s eyes brightened with recognition as he studied more carefully. "I’ve seen your designs—they truly possess a special spirit.

This is my granddaughter and apprentice, Eliza Quinn. She’s recently returned to develop her career here, and I’d appreciate if you could offer her so guidance."

The young woman beside him smiled politely. "Hello, I’m Eliza Quinn. It’s a pleasure to et you both."

"We’d be happy to help any way we can," I replied automatically, though sothing about her na tickled at the back of my mind.

Quinn wasn’t exactly an uncommon surna, but still...

Eliza looked at with unmistakable curiosity behind her practiced smile. "It’s truly an honor to et the Lazuli in person," she said. "Your reputation extends even overseas."

I returned the pleasantries, comnting on her own impressive international recognition. We exchanged the standard mutual complints when suddenly I felt the air shift behind .

Ryan had approached our little group.

Eliza’s eyes lit up imdiately. She extended her hand toward him with an eager "I’ve heard so much about you, Mr. Blackwood," only for Ryan to respond with the barest nod of acknowledgnt.

Her hand hung awkwardly in the air for a mont before she withdrew it.

Quickly pivoting from the uncomfortable mont, Eliza changed topics. "I understand Blackwood Industries has been struggling with its jewelry division since Sophie Hart’s departure. You’re looking for designers, aren’t you?"

Her voice took on a silky quality as she added, "With my grandfather’s connections, I could help restore your resources in that sector. Perhaps there’s an opportunity for there?"

I tensed, not expecting this sudden business proposition.

Ryan’s response was imdiate and clear. "Actually, Blackwood Industries is divesting from jewelry entirely. "

I nearly choked on my champagne. What? Since when? This was the first I’d heard of it.

Was he planning to give all the jewelry resources to ? I guessed as much.

"You’re abandoning a profitable sector?" she questioned, her professional smile slipping. "That would only benefit your competitors."

"That’s not your concern," Ryan replied flatly.

Sothing shifted in Eliza’s deanor then. I recognized that look—a woman who wasn’t used to rejection, particularly from n.

But rather than backing down, she seed even more determined.

She adjusted her posture, leaning slightly toward Ryan with her champagne flute delicately balanced between manicured fingers.

"I’ve just returned to the city and barely know my way around," she purred. "Perhaps you could show the local highlights later, Mr. Blackwood? I’d love to learn more about the business environnt here."

I felt a strange twist in my stomach watching this display—not jealousy exactly, but sothing uncomfortable nonetheless.

Ryan’s response was brutal in its directness. "I’d suggest you keep your distance. Your perfu is overwhelming."

Eliza’s smile froze, her eyes turning cold.

Before I could react, Ryan took my arm and guided away from the group. I was too stunned to resist.

When we reached a quiet corner, his expression finally relaxed. "God, that perfu was suffocating. How did you manage to stand there talking to her for so long?"

"Won wear perfu, Ryan. It’s perfectly normal," I replied, pulling my arm free from his grip.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied . "You don’t wear perfu anymore. I noticed."

My hand instinctively moved toward my stomach before I caught myself. The pregnancy had made sensitive to strong scents, so I’d stopped wearing perfu and limited my costics.

"That’s none of your business," I said quickly.

Ryan sighed, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. "What will it take, Serena? What do I need to do for you to forgive ?"

The directness of his question caught off guard. For a mont, I just stared at him—this powerful man who had once been my husband, who had ignored for years, now standing before looking almost... vulnerable.

"You think it’s that simple?" I finally managed. "That you can just decide one day to care, and I’ll co running back?"

"No," he said quietly. "I know it’s not simple. But I need to know if there’s any chance at all."

I looked away, unable to hold his intense gaze. "Why now, Ryan? Why, after all this ti, do you suddenly care?"

"Because I was blind," he said, his voice dropping lower. "Because I didn’t see what was right in front of until it was gone."

A server passed by with a tray of champagne. I desperately wanted to grab one, but resisted—another pregnancy reminder. Instead, I took a deep breath and t his eyes again.

"It’s too late," I said, hating how my voice wavered slightly. "I’ve moved on. Julian—"

"Are you in love with him?" Ryan interrupted, his jaw tightening.

"Who?"

"Julian."

Of course I wasn’t. But I wasn’t about to let Ryan know that—giving him an inch would only make him push harder.

"That’s not your concern either," I replied, sidestepping his question.

"It is my concern," he insisted, moving closer until I could sll his cologne—that familiar scent that still haunted my dreams sotis. "Everything about you is my concern, Serena."

"You gave up that right when you signed our divorce papers," I reminded him, trying to keep my voice steady.

"A mistake I regret every day," he admitted. His hand reached up as if to touch my face, then dropped back to his side when I flinched away. "I know I hurt you. I know I failed you. But I’m asking—begging, if that’s what it takes—for a second chance."

I felt a flutter in my chest that had nothing to do with the babies I was carrying. This was the Ryan I had always wanted to see during our marriage—sincere, vulnerable, his walls down. But was it real? Or just another manipulation because he couldn’t stand losing?

"I need to go," I said, suddenly feeling overwheld. "Maya is waiting for ."

As I turned to leave, his voice stopped . "Have dinner with . Just once. If you still want nothing to do with afterward, I’ll respect that."

I hesitated, my back to him.

"No, Ryan," I said quietly but firmly, without turning around. "That Chapter’s closed."

Then I walked away.

As I walked away, I could feel his eyes following across the room.

I spotted Maya across the room and made my way over to her. She looked up, curiosity and concern lighting her eyes.

"What was that all about?" she asked as I reached her. "And what’s this about Blackwood pulling out of the jewelry industry? Wait—he’s getting ready to hand over all the resources to you?"

"I have no idea," I admitted. "That’s the first I’ve heard of it."

"He’s trying everything to get you back, isn’t he?" Maya observed, glancing over my shoulder toward where Ryan still stood.

"It doesn’t matter," I said firmly, though we both knew that was a lie.

And I was—tired of fighting my feelings, tired of wondering what might have been, tired of second-guessing every interaction with Ryan.

Maya suddenly gasped, her eyes widening. "Serena, look over there.Eliza Quinn and Ryan,they looked close...."

She didn’t need to finish her sentence for to understand what she ant.

Eliza had made her intentions clear from the start—she wanted to align herself with Ryan, to leverage his power. Of course she’d be cozying up to him now.

I turned slightly, catching sight of Eliza and Ryan standing together across the room.

"Looks like we might have a formidable competitor soon," I muttered.

Maya nodded, concern etched across her face. "With Mr. Quinn’s backing, if she partners with Blackwood Industries, she’d be a serious threat to us."

I pressed my lips together, choosing not to respond. But my eyes betrayed —tracking their every move as they continued talking, laughing even, as if they’d known each other for years.

I rolled my eyes.

n and their lying mouths—can’t trust a word they say.

Just minutes ago, Ryan had been complaining about her overpowering perfu—and now? Now he looked perfectly at ease, like it had never bothered him at all.

What happened? Did his allergies magically disappear?