Serena’s POV
My palm still stung from the force of the slap I’d given her.Ivy stood there, mouth agape, hand rising to her reddened face.
"You! You dare to slap !" she shrieked, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Damn right I did! You heartless sisters think you can curse my baby?" I stepped closer, feeling a surge of protective rage. "I’m warning you now—show up at my door again, and I’m calling the police!"
"This is harassnt! I’ll hire the best lawyers and have you thrown in jail!" Ivy’s voice cracked slightly.
She took a step back, visibly shaken by my outburst. I could see she hadn’t expected this reaction from —the woman who had once tolerated everything thrown her way now standing firm and fighting back.
"Go ahead, try it," I growled. "See who the courts believe—a pregnant woman defending her ho or a stalker showing up uninvited."
Ivy swallowed hard, but couldn’t resist getting in a few more poisonous words before fleeing.
"Serena, stop deluding yourself! If you don’t believe , go see for yourself—go to the Blackwood estate right now!"
"I don’t waste my ti with crazy won like you. You’ll regret this day!"
I raised my hand again, and that was all it took. Ivy practically tripped over herself running away from my door.
After she left, I stood there breathing heavily, her venom still circulating through my system. The image of Sophie’s social dia post burned in my brain. I slamd the door shut and paced my apartnt, my mind racing chaotically.
The longer I thought about it, the more restless I beca. Finally, I changed clothes and called a taxi to the Blackwood estate.
Since the divorce, I hadn’t been back once. When I first moved into that mansion, my heart was so full of hope—I genuinely believed it was the beginning of my happy ever after. Instead, each day had grown more suffocating until I couldn’t breathe anymore.
I stood at the entrance for several minutes before finally pressing the doorbell. The familiar butler greeted with a respectful smile, his manner unchanged.
"Madam, you’ve finally returned."
I glanced past him into the house, my expression darkening instantly.
"Don’t call that. Your future ’madam’ remains to be seen."
I stepped inside, and there she was—that flash of red I’d glimpsed earlier solidified into Sophie’s form. She turned toward , raising her wine glass in mocking salute.
"Serena, what a rare visitor you are."
She was playing the perfect lady of the house.
I examined her dress—this season’s latest design.
"I’m so sorry, Serena," Sophie said with a poisonous smile. "I ca over in such a hurry last night, I didn’t bring any clothes to change into. I just grabbed sothing from the closet. You’re generous enough not to mind, aren’t you?"
My heart lurched painfully. Last night? While I was sulking alone at ho, Ryan had brought this snake back to our house?
"Serena, are you feeling alright? You look rather pale," Sophie asked with fake concern, her eyes dancing with challenge.
The butler rushed to steady . "Madam, are you unwell?"
I snorted, refusing to let Sophie see falter.
"It’s just a dress. Ryan himself is sothing I’ve used and discarded," I shot back. "If you’re so desperate to climb into his bed, why put on this innocent act?"
Sophie’s smile froze on her face. Being exposed in front of the staff clearly made her uncomfortable.
"Sophie, your little white lotus routine makes sick every ti I see it."
With that, I turned and walked away. The butler called after , but I ignored him. From the corner of my eye, I saw the other servants lowering their heads, pretending they hadn’t witnessed the confrontation.
"Madam, there’s been a misunderstanding," the butler hurried to explain. "The master did bring her back last night, but she slept in the guest room."
I waved dismissively. "I don’t want to hear it. Whatever the misunderstanding, I don’t care anymore. Don’t tell Ryan I was here."
I climbed into a taxi and left, ignoring the butler’s attempts to stop .
I headed straight to my studio, deciding to stay with Maya for a while. The mont I walked into her office, she took one look at and exclaid.
"What happened? Who’s upset you this ti?"
My emotions had settled sowhat, but Maya could still read like an open book.
Seeing my silence, she imdiately put her hands on her hips.
"It’s Ryan, isn’t it? You’re too good to him, and he’s still making you upset! You’re pregnant, for God’s sake!"
I made a shushing gesture, feeling exasperated.
"Keep it down. This is the studio—do you want all the employees knowing about my personal life?"
Maya muttered an "oh" but remained agitated.
"What are you two fighting about this ti?"
I didn’t want to discuss it. I could already predict her reaction if Sophie’s na ca up—she’d probably blow the roof off the building in anger.
"Are you done with work? I want to stay at your place for a few days. Don’t tell anyone."
Maya frowned, suddenly looking concerned.
"Seems like this is a serious fight."
"I suppose it is. Either way, I don’t want to see him for a while, and I don’t want him finding ."
Maya gasped dramatically. "Then staying at my place isn’t safe at all! What if I’m here at work and he breaks in looking for you?"
I paused, realizing she had a point.
"What should I do then?"
Maya smiled mysteriously.
"Well, you need sowhere he’d never think to look."
I stared at her blankly. Was there anywhere in this city Ryan couldn’t track down if he really wanted to? I just needed a few days of peace.
"Julian, you live in SoHo, right?" Maya called out.
Julian nodded as he entered. "Yes. Why?"
"Serena could stay at your place! It’s farther out, and Ryan would never think to look there," Maya suggested with a mischievous grin.
I caught my friend’s not-so-subtle matchmaking attempt and shook my head.
"That’s really not convenient. I’ll just stay at your place for a couple days."
Julian was single and available—how would it look if I stayed with him? The last thing I needed was more complications in my already ssy life.
Julian seed to understand imdiately and gave a light chuckle.
"I actually have two places in the SoHo. You’re welco to use one if you’d like."
"Two places? Julian, are you so secret trust fund baby we don’t know about?" Maya asked excitedly.
Julian’s smile widened as he casually explained.
"You’re giving too much credit, Maya. I just made so decent money a few years back. They’re rentals actually. I guess it’s habit from avoiding paparazzi—never put all your eggs in one basket."
"Oh wow, being a star sounds tough," Maya remarked.
"It has its challenges," Julian turned to with earnest eyes. "Serena, would you like to stay at my place for a few days? Linwood is a bit farther out, but it’s peaceful—perfect for your pregnancy."
Under Julian’s attentive gaze, refusing felt almost unkind.
"Julian, I appreciate it, but it wouldn’t look right for either of us. Better not."
He looked disappointed but managed a smile.
"If you change your mind, just call . I’m happy to help anyti."
I thanked him, and after he left, my friend leaned in with an exasperated sigh.
"So people just don’t recognize a blessing when they see one. If I had soone that devoted waiting in the wings, I definitely wouldn’t be chasing after my ex."
I’d heard comnts like this countless tis before. Usually, I’d laugh them off, but this ti, a complex ache rose in my chest.
"Alright, let’s head ho. Do you need to grab anything from your place?" Maya asked, seeing my lack of response.
"No need."
"Fine, you can use my stuff then."
On the way back, Maya updated on the studio’s recent business. Without my public presence, there had been a slight dip in profits and plenty of speculation.
"People are saying you’ve jumped ship to another design house, or that you’ve left the country."
"It’s all ridiculous. Don’t they understand what Dreamland Studio stands for?"
I touched my stomach gently. My absence from the public eye was deliberate—to avoid unnecessary complications. If soone decided to dig into my past maliciously, the fallout wouldn’t be worth it.
"Can you handle things?" I asked.
"Serena, I’m not that weak! I’m just telling you to be careful when you go out. Wear a hat and mask."
"What if so nosy people actually cornered you?" she added with concern.
"I’ll be careful," I promised.
"After these busy days pass, I’ll take you sowhere to clear your head. n, ex-n, whoever—they can all go to hell!" Maya declared loudly.
I couldn’t help laughing at her outburst. Despite her rising success, Maya remained the sa straightforward, loyal friend she’d always been.
As I smiled, a lancholic thought crossed my mind. Perhaps she was the only person in this world who truly cared about for who I was.
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