CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 295

Chapter 295: Chapter 295 Our Daughter

Serena’s POV

The tension in Ryan’s shoulders was visible as he paced our living room, his suit jacket discarded, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Night had fallen over London, casting long shadows across our penthouse apartment.

"I’m almost certain it was Parker," Ryan said, his voice low and dangerous. "Everything points to him."

I kicked off my heels, curling my legs beneath me on the sofa. "Do we have actual evidence?"

"Not enough." Ryan’s frustration was palpable as he ran a hand through his hair. "The driver won’t talk. Whoever’s paying him is either very generous or very threatening."

"Or both," I added grimly.

Ryan nodded, pouring two glasses of scotch and handing one to me. "My security team is working on it. The driver has a sister in Manchester with two kids. If money’s his motivation, we might be able to offer more."

"And if it’s fear?"

"Then we need to find out what he’s afraid of," Ryan replied, sitting beside me. "Everyone has a breaking point."

I took a long sip, welcoming the burn. "So we’re facing a major shareholder with Parker family connections who likely tried to kill my brother, plus we have no concrete proof, and I have to face the entire board tomorrow morning."

"When you put it like that..." Ryan gave a half-smile.

I groaned, leaning my head back against the sofa. "This is insane. A week ago, my biggest concern was whether Dreamland’s spring collection would be ready for the showcase." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Ryan set his glass down and moved behind me, his strong fingers finding the knots in my shoulders. "And you’ll get back to that. But right now, you’re exactly where you need to be."

I closed my eyes as his thumbs worked magic on my tense muscles. "I’m not sure I’m cut out for corporate warfare, Ryan."

"That’s where you’re wrong," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "I’ve seen you negotiate with suppliers who tried to cheat you. I’ve watched you handle critics who dismissed your work. You’re a Quinn, Serena. Fighting for what’s yours is in your blood."

His faith in me was overwhelming. I leaned into his touch, allowing myself this moment of vulnerability. "I just wish Ethan were here. This is his world, not mine."

"You don’t have to be Ethan," Ryan said firmly. "You just have to be you. That’s more than enough."

When his hands moved up to massage my scalp, I nearly purred with pleasure. "That feels amazing."

"You carry all your stress right here," he said, his fingertips applying perfect pressure. "Always have."

"You know what might help me relax even more?" I asked, opening one eye.

Ryan’s lips quirked. "A hot bath? Another drink? Name it."

"I want to see Vivian," I admitted softly. "I miss her face."

Something tender flashed in Ryan’s eyes. Without a word, he pulled out his phone and tapped the screen a few times.

"I asked Lucy to send me some videos earlier today," he explained, settling beside me again. "I thought you might need this."

The screen lit up with our daughter’s face. Six-month-old Vivian was sitting in her high chair, giggling uncontrollably as Lucy made silly faces at her. Her chubby cheeks dimpled with each laugh, her eyes—so much like Ryan’s—sparkling with joy.

"Look at those little teeth coming in," I whispered, touching the screen gently. "She’s changed so much in just three days."

In one fluid motion, he stood, lifting me with him. My legs wrapped around his waist as he carried me toward our bedroom, his mouth never leaving mine. Each kiss was hotter than the last, erasing thoughts of shareholders and corporate enemies from my mind.

He laid me on the bed with surprising gentleness, his body covering mine as his lips traced a burning path down my neck. My fingers fumbled with his belt, eager to feel his skin against mine.

"Slow down," he murmured, capturing my wrists and pinning them above my head. "We have all night."

His free hand slid beneath my blouse, caressing my stomach, my ribs, the underside of my breast. I arched against him, silently begging for more.

"Do you know how beautiful you are?" he asked, his voice rough with need as he slowly unbuttoned my blouse.

I gasped as his mouth replaced his hand, his teeth grazing sensitive skin. "Ryan..."

"That’s it," he encouraged, releasing my wrists to remove my blouse completely. "Let go. Just feel."

And I did. With each article of clothing that fell to the floor, I shed another layer of worry. With each touch of his hands, each kiss of his lips, the world beyond our bedroom faded away until there was nothing but Ryan and me, moving together, breathing together.

When he finally pushed inside me, I cried out, my nails digging into his shoulders. He paused, his forehead pressed to mine, his breath ragged.

"I love you," he whispered, the words falling from his lips like a confession. "God help me, Serena, I love you so much it terrifies me."

Something fragile and precious bloomed in my chest. "Show me," I whispered back. "Show me how much."

His answer was in the way he moved, in the reverence of his touch, in the fierce possession of his kiss. As pleasure built between us, I held nothing back, allowing myself to be completely vulnerable in his arms.

When release finally claimed me, it was his name I cried out. And when he followed moments later, his face buried in my neck, I knew without doubt that whatever challenges awaited us tomorrow, we would face them together.