CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 358

Chapter 358: Chapter 358 Leave Her

Ryan’s POV

She actually stood there and pretended she didn’t know me.

I watched Serena’s face shift back then—first a flicker of panic, then this icy, almost defiant calm. That change had always fascinated me and pissed me off in equal measure.

"Mr. Blackwood," she snapped, voice way too measured—like she practiced it before a mirror. I knew that tone. She used it for clients she hated. "I thought I made myself perfectly clear during our last encounter."

She edged closer to Cedric Lancaster, her every move drawing a line I wasn’t supposed to cross. Her chin tipped up. "We agreed to stay out of each other’s way. I’d appreciate it if you’d honor that agreement."

Honor? She really tossed that word around like it meant something.

Too late for that, Serena.

"Your husband," I said, making the word sound as filthy as it deserved, "has been obsessed with my wife, Serena, for years. Let me guess, he left that part out when he proposed?"

Her jaw flexed. Got you, didn’t I?

"If you care to dig, ask anyone in here about the Lanscaster and Quinn families. They go way back. Cedric and Serena? University together. Family friends. He’s been lying in wait for his shot with her since we were all barely legal adults."

I let it hang there. Just long enough for her to realize I meant every syllable.

"Enough!" That voice whipped out and cut through the noise. Even more eyes turned. "Whatever happened in the past is none of your business, Mr. Blackwood."

She hooked her arm through Cedric’s, one of those practiced moves meant to say "we’re in love"—but really, to cut me deeper. "We’re leaving."

Like hell they were.

But she steered him away anyway, head high, every inch the elegant Mrs. Lancaster. I had to just stand there and watch it—the way she fit at his side, like they’d always belonged together.

Three years. I spent three years convinced she was dead, grieving like an idiot, while she played family with him.

The rage felt molten in me, almost choking.

"Well, well," Sophie suddenly materialized, voice cold and sweet. "That was... illuminating."

I didn’t bother with her. All I could do was watch Serena disappear into the glittering crowd—memorize her gait, the way she rubbed her temple out of habit. She still did it... Christ, that nearly broke me.

"Mrs. Lancaster could be Serena’s double," Sophie kept talking, totally missing my mood. "But they’re not the same, are they? Face it, Ryan, you could be wrong. Maybe that’s some random woman. You’ve got to admit, plastic surgery’s gotten impressive—"

Was she being serious?

My patience snapped. "What’s it to you? Stop following me."

Sophie’s lips did that familiar pinched thing. Didn’t stop her. "All I’m saying is, Cedric Lancaster’s got plenty of tricks. Maybe you’re getting played—"

"Shut up." Louder than I meant, and the pitying look she gave me made it worse.

I found a spot with a clear line of sight to Serena and Lancaster, nursing my whiskey instead of my pride. If they wanted to whisper, fine. Let everyone talk. I didn’t care anymore.

She started laughing at something Cedric said—real laughter, head tossed back, face bright. I could actually feel the jealousy twist inside me, sharp as barbed wire.

Then I heard steps. "Mr. Blackwood?"

I turned. A petite woman, nervous, eyes soft. Took me a second to place her—Sally. Serena’s assistant. Maybe her only real friend in this town. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Ms. Sally." I kept my voice flat, all business. "What is it?"

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