CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 107

Chapter 107: Chapter 107 Make sure she thinks Ryan and I are rekindling

Sophie’s POV

I smirked when Ryan wasn’t looking, gently touching the fake bruises on my face. This trick worked beautifully. Poor, sweet, gullible Ryan.

Back at the Blackwood estate, I settled into my old guest room like I’d never left. It felt good being back here—like the first step in reclaiming what should’ve been mine all along.

My phone buzzed with a message from Derek.

"How was my performance? Good enough? I need the rest of my payment. A few more shows like this, and Blackwood really will run me out of town."

I transferred him part of the money, not the full amount. Always keep people hungry for more—that’s how you control them.

"Be patient. I’ll need you again. Money won’t be a problem."

The price was steep, but worth every penny. Ryan had always been susceptible to damsels in distress. Getting close to him again was phase one. Phase two would be making him remember what we once shared.

Around midnight, I screamed deliberately—a piercing sound that echoed through the mansion. I’d practiced it for maximum effect, the perfect blend of terror and vulnerability.

Footsteps thundered down the hallway. Ryan appeared in my doorway, hair tousled from sleep, eyes narrowed with concern. I threw myself at him, pressing my body against his solid chest.

"Ryan, I’m so scared," I sobbed, clinging tighter. "I dreamed about Derek. He’s a monster!" I buried my face against his neck, breathing in his familiar scent. "Thank God you saved me... I miss how things used to be between us."

His hands came up to my shoulders, pushing me back firmly. "You had a nightmare. You’re safe now."

I gazed up at him with hopeful eyes. "Ryan... have you really forgotten about us? About what we had?"

His frown deepened, jaw tightening. "Sophie, I’ve been clear. Whatever feelings I had for you are gone."

"Serena is the only one in my heart now."

The conviction in his voice made my hopeful smile freeze. This wasn’t the script I’d planned.

"Go back to bed," he said, already turning away.

I hesitated just a second too long. By the time I decided to follow, he was already climbing the stairs, disappearing into the darkness of the hallway.

Damn that Serena bitch. Ryan was completely whipped.

Morning came, and I wasn’t about to give up. I dressed carefully—nothing too flashy, but enough to remind Ryan of what he was missing. I timed my exit perfectly, catching him just as he was heading out.

"Ryan, I’m feeling much better today. I should go to work too. Would you mind giving me a ride?" I slid into his car before he could object.

During the drive, I chatted brightly about old memories, projects at work, anything to get him talking. He barely responded beyond grunts and one-word answers. The atmosphere grew increasingly stiff.

When we approached the office, Ryan suddenly signaled his driver to pull over.

"You should get out here," he said, not even looking at me. "It wouldn’t look good if people saw us arriving together."

My smile froze on my face. After a moment, I had no choice but to exit the car.

As I watched him drive away, my facade crumbled. So this was how it would be? He was deliberately keeping his distance to avoid making his precious Serena jealous?

What did he see in that woman? What did she have that I didn’t?

I clenched my fists, abandoning my plans to go into the office. Instead, I called my sister.

"Ivy, I need you to visit Dreamland Studio. Pretend you’re there to order jewelry. I want you to meet that bitch face-to-face."

"And say what exactly?" Ivy sounded bored.

"Tell her Ryan and I are getting along wonderfully. How he solved my ex-husband problem and invited me to stay at his home. Use your imagination—just make sure she thinks Ryan and I are rekindling something."

Ivy hesitated. "Sophie, she won’t even let me in her office. After that whole Star Moon Jewelry and Dreamland blowup, they probably have my picture at security."

"I don’t have time for old grudges," I replied calmly. "Why don’t you tell me why you’re really here?"

I gave her a once-over, already guessing her purpose. She was here to stir up trouble—these sisters were nothing if not predictable.

Ivy let out a contemptuous snort. "You don’t know yet, do you? Ryan and my sister have reconciled. He helped her deal with her ex-husband’s harassment and invited her to stay at the Blackwood estate!"

She leaned forward, her eyes glinting with malice. "Even if you’re carrying his child, you’re just a breeding vessel to him. Ryan only has room in his heart for Sophie."

I couldn’t stop myself from rolling my eyes. The same tired script. These sisters really needed new material—I was bored with their performance.

"Ivy, have you ever heard the story of the boy who cried wolf?"

She froze for a moment, then recovered.

"You don’t believe me? Why don’t you call Ryan and ask him yourself? See if what I’m saying isn’t true!"

"Honestly, Ivy, aren’t you a bit overconfident about your little scheme?"

Watching her grow increasingly agitated only improved my mood. I’d seen through the Hart sisters’ pathetic tactics long ago. Their whole plan revolved around exploiting Ryan’s sense of compassion.

"Do you really think this is the first time you’ve tried this routine? You two aren’t exactly master strategists," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Let me guess—Sophie played the damsel in distress, and now Ryan’s gallantly protecting her?"

"It’s more than that!" Ivy insisted, her voice rising. "He cares about her! Always has!"

I shook my head, almost feeling sorry for her desperation. "If that were true, he wouldn’t have been calling me nonstop since yesterday, explaining everything that happened with your sister."

Ivy opened her mouth to argue, but I cut in, my voice calm and razor-sharp.

"Ivy, go back and tell your sister—she’d better know her place. One word from me, and Ryan will have her out of New York before she even knows what hit her."