CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 263

Chapter 263: Chapter 263 Two Enemies

Serena’s POV

The air in the house felt different after Olivia’s arrest—lighter somehow, as if a long-held tension had finally broken. I sank deeper into the living room sofa, my body drained from the emotional confrontation. Eleanor sat beside me, her protective presence a comfort I’d come to cherish these past months.

"I still can’t believe she hated me enough to..." I couldn’t finish the sentence, the reality of Olivia’s betrayal still too raw.

Eleanor squeezed my hand. "Some people build their entire identity around another person’s shadow. When that person shines too brightly..." She shrugged, her expression grim.

The sudden commotion at the front door startled us both. Heavy footsteps approached—too urgent to be staff.

Ryan burst into the room, his normally composed features tight with concern. His eyes found mine instantly, scanning every inch of me as if searching for injuries. Only when he confirmed I was physically unharmed did his shoulders relax slightly.

"Serena," he breathed, crossing the room in three long strides and kneeling before me. "Why didn’t you tell me about this investigation? About Olivia?" His fingers wrapped around mine, his touch almost desperate.

I met his intense gaze, surprised by the raw emotion I found there. "It started as just a suspicion. I needed to confirm it myself before involving anyone else."

"You just gave birth," he said, his voice rougher than usual. "You shouldn’t be dealing with attempted murderers while recovering."

A small smile touched my lips. "I wasn’t exactly planning a confrontation with my would-be killer when I woke up this morning."

Ryan didn’t return my smile. "This isn’t a joke, Serena. If something had happened to you..." He left the sentence hanging, but his tightened grip spoke volumes.

Eleanor shifted beside me. "In fairness, she had backup." She gestured to herself with a slight smirk. "And we recorded everything. Olivia never stood a chance."

Ryan ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, a rare display of agitation. "From now on, anyone who approaches you gets thoroughly vetted first. I don’t care if they claim to be your childhood imaginary friend—we check them out."

"That might be a slight overreaction," I began, but Eleanor cut me in.

"Actually, I agree with Ryan on this one," she said firmly. "Today proved you can’t be too careful. The woman who tried to kill you once almost walked right back into your life."

I nodded, acknowledging their concern. "It’s over now. You should go back to work, Ryan. I know you had important meetings today."

He hesitated, clearly torn between his responsibilities and his desire to stay. Before he could respond, a commotion erupted outside—shouting, thudding sounds, and what sounded like multiple voices arguing.

Ryan was immediately on alert. "Stay here," he commanded, straightening to his full imposing height. "Both of you."

"What’s happening?" I started to rise, but Ryan’s firm hand on my shoulder kept me seated.

"I’ll handle it," he said, his voice shifting into the cold, authoritative tone I recognized from his business dealings. "Stay inside."

I watched as he strode out, every inch the powerful CEO—shoulders squared, jaw set, eyes focused with lethal intensity. Despite everything, I couldn’t help but admire the shift in his demeanor, the absolute confidence in his ability to handle whatever threat had appeared at our door.

Eleanor and I exchanged worried glances as we waited. Through the large windows, I caught glimpses of movement in the courtyard—unfamiliar figures being forcibly restrained by our security team.

"Should we call the police?" Eleanor whispered.

I shook my head. "Let’s wait. Ryan’s security team is better trained than most police forces."

The minutes stretched uncomfortably until Ryan returned, his expression even darker than when he’d left. He loosened his tie with a sharp tug.

"What happened?" I asked, rising despite his earlier instruction to stay seated.

"Tiffany Vergara," he spat the name like poison. "She brought a small army, demanding to know where Kane is."

My blood ran cold. Tiffany—Kane’s wife and the daughter of the powerful Vergara family—was as calculating as she was beautiful. I’d met her only twice at social functions, but both times she’d regarded me with barely disguised contempt.

As she left the room, Ryan pulled back slightly, his hands framing my face. "Promise me you’ll be more careful. No more confronting potential murderers without backup."

I smiled despite the seriousness of his request. "I promise. Though in my defense, I did have Eleanor."

"Next time, have me." His voice deepened, his thumbs tracing gentle circles on my cheeks. "Whatever comes at us—Olivia, Tiffany, Kane, or anyone else—we face it together."

The intensity in his eyes made my breath catch. This was a different Ryan than the cold, distant man I’d married. This man was fiercely protective, openly vulnerable in his concern for me.

"Together," I agreed softly.

His lips brushed mine, a gentle kiss that contrasted sharply with the tension of the day. When he pulled away, his expression had softened.

"I should go back to the office," he said reluctantly. "There’s a situation with the Singapore merger that needs my attention."

I nodded, stepping back. "Go. We’ll be fine here." I gestured around at the fortified mansion with its enhanced security. "I think we’ve established this place is practically a fortress."

Ryan smiled—a rare, genuine smile that transformed his entire face. "I’ll be home for dinner. And Serena?" He paused at the doorway. "I’m proud of you. For facing Olivia, for protecting our family. You’re stronger than anyone gives you credit for—including me."

With those words hanging in the air between us, he left, leaving me with a warmth that had nothing to do with the temperature of the room.

I walked to the window, watching as the last of Tiffany’s henchmen were escorted off our property. Beyond our gates, I could see her stomping furiously toward her car, her perfect posture rigid with rage.

In the space of one day, I had confronted my would-be murderer and witnessed another threat neutralized before my eyes. Yet instead of feeling frightened, I felt strangely empowered. The old Serena—the woman who had woken up with no memories, no identity—would have crumbled under such pressure.

But I wasn’t that woman anymore. I was Serena Blackwood—mother, designer, survivor. And with Ryan by my side, I was beginning to believe we could face whatever storms were still gathering on our horizon.

I turned away from the window and headed upstairs to check on our daughter, each step more determined than the last.