CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77: Chapter 77 I don’t want Serena upset

Serena’s POV

I’m trembling with fury as Ryan grabs my wrist. The nerve of him, defending that woman after what she just said!

"Let go of me, Ryan!" I snap, yanking my arm free. "You and her are two sides of the same coin! I was a fool to believe anything you said!"

I clutch my purse tightly, desperate to get away from both of them. My chest feels tight with anger and betrayal.

"Serena, what’s wrong? You said you wouldn’t get upset," Ryan calls after me, confusion clear in his voice.

I let out a derisive snort. Why bother explaining? He’d never believe Sophie threatened our baby. He’s always seen what he wants to see when it comes to her.

Storming out of the hospital, I flag down a taxi, my hands still shaking as I give the driver my address. I need to get home, away from Sophie’s venom and Ryan’s blindness.

We’re about halfway there when I feel the sudden jolt—metal crunching, tires screeching. My body lurches forward, and I instinctively wrap my arms around my belly, heart racing.

"Damn it!" the driver curses, turning around with an apologetic expression. "I’m so sorry, miss. We got rear-ended. You should probably take another cab. This one’s on me."

Before I can even respond, he’s unbuckling his seatbelt and jumping out to deal with the other driver.

I sit there for a moment, trying to calm my racing heart. My baby. My baby has to be okay. Taking deep breaths, I finally manage to collect myself enough to exit the taxi.

The midday sun beats down mercilessly as I stand on the sidewalk, one hand shielding my eyes, the other supporting my pregnant belly. Car after car passes by, none willing to stop near an accident scene. I can’t blame them—nobody wants to get stuck in traffic.

After what feels like an eternity, my legs starting to wobble beneath me, a familiar black sedan pulls up to the curb.

Julian steps out, his concerned eyes quickly taking in the accident scene before landing on me. "Were you in that taxi? Are you alright?" he asks, immediately moving to support me with an arm around my waist.

I feel slightly uncomfortable with the contact, but after standing so long under the blazing sun, my legs have turned to jelly. I don’t push him away.

"You’ve been standing here long, haven’t you? Come on, let me drive you home," he says gently.

I manage a weak "Thanks," relief washing over me. Thank goodness for familiar faces when you need them most.

"What are you doing in this area?" I ask as he helps me into the passenger seat.

"Oh," Julian responds casually, "I was meeting a client nearby. Spotted the accident from a distance. If I hadn’t noticed you standing there, I would’ve taken a detour around this mess."

He carefully helps me into the car before walking around to the driver’s side. As we pull away from the curb, the silence feels heavy. I’m still seething about what happened at the hospital, my mind replaying Sophie’s threats over and over.

Julian glances at me occasionally, reading my mood. "Rough day?" he asks, but doesn’t push when I only respond with a noncommittal hum.

When we arrive at my building, Julian insists on escorting me upstairs. "Let me make sure you get in safely," he says, his voice gentle but firm.

I’m too exhausted to argue. We step into the elevator together, and just as the doors begin to close, a hand shoots out between them.

The doors slide back open, and I find myself staring directly into Ryan’s thunderous face.

***

Ryan’s POV

I stare at Serena’s retreating figure with a mix of confusion and frustration. What the hell just happened? One minute we’re having a civil conversation in the hospital, and the next she’s storming out like I’ve betrayed her somehow.

"Serena!" I call after her, but she’s already disappeared through the hospital doors.

Behind me, Sophie continues her theatrical sobbing. Something doesn’t add up here.

"Sophie, what exactly did you say to her?" I demand, turning back to face her.

She blinks those familiar doe eyes at me, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Nothing, Ryan! I just expressed concern for her and the baby. She must really hate me... she just attacked me out of nowhere."

I narrow my eyes, studying her carefully. The Sophie I thought I knew years ago would never lie to me, but this woman before me... something feels off.

I’m not an idiot. Serena wouldn’t fly into a rage without good reason.

Whatever happened, Sophie must have said something to upset her.

I’m walking out of the hospital room.

"Doctor," I catch the attending physician in the hallway, "how serious are Sophie’s injuries?"

She’s trembling now, her voice breaking. "Have you ever considered how I feel? My heart is shattered, Ryan!"

The guilt hits me like a physical blow. Our past is complicated, painful—an accident I’ve carried the weight of for years. I lower my eyes, anger dissipating.

"I’m sorry about what happened back then. It was an accident."

"I searched for you for so long..."

"I know, I understand," she interrupts between sobs. "People can’t stay frozen in time. You have a new love and a baby on the way. I’m happy for you, Ryan. I just wanted a little bit of your concern, that’s all."

"Is that really so awful of me?"

Her wide, tear-filled eyes lock onto mine, projecting pure vulnerability. If Serena were here, she’d probably applaud Sophie’s performance. The thought of Serena snaps me back to reality—my pregnant wife who just stormed out of here upset.

"We need to stop seeing each other, Sophie. I don’t want Serena upset, and these games need to end."

Her tears don’t sway me this time. I leave without looking back.

In the car, my thoughts race to Serena. Something doesn’t feel right. I try calling her, but the call doesn’t go through—she’s blocked me again. Dammit!

The radio crackles with news of a car accident nearby. A cold knot forms in my stomach as the reporter describes the location—right along Serena’s likely route home. My hands tighten on the steering wheel as I accelerate, praying I’m just being paranoid.

I rush home, hoping she’s there, safe. As I pull into the parking garage, relief floods through me when I spot her getting out of a car. She’s alive. She’s okay.

But my relief evaporates instantly when I realize whose car she’s exiting. Julian Clarke.

They’re walking toward the elevator together, his hand hovering near the small of her back in a protective gesture that makes my jaw clench.

I sprint across the garage, sliding my hand between the closing elevator doors just in time.

The doors slide back open, and I’m staring directly at my wife—her face pale, exhausted, angry—standing next to the man who’s been waiting for any opportunity to take her from me.

The look on Julian’s face—a mixture of surprise and something close to triumph—makes me want to slam my fist through the elevator wall.

"Serena," I say, my voice tight with barely contained emotion. "I’ve been trying to reach you. Are you alright?"