CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 83

Chapter 83: Chapter 83 Who’s upset you this time?

Serena’s POV

My palm still stung from the force of the slap I’d given her.Ivy stood there, mouth agape, hand rising to her reddened face.

"You! You dare to slap me!" she shrieked, eyes wide with disbelief.

"Damn right I did! You heartless sisters think you can curse my baby?" I stepped closer, feeling a surge of protective rage. "I’m warning you now—show up at my door again, and I’m calling the police!"

"This is harassment! I’ll hire the best lawyers and have you thrown in jail!" Ivy’s voice cracked slightly.

She took a step back, visibly shaken by my outburst. I could see she hadn’t expected this reaction from me—the woman who had once tolerated everything thrown her way now standing firm and fighting back.

"Go ahead, try it," I growled. "See who the courts believe—a pregnant woman defending her home or a stalker showing up uninvited."

Ivy swallowed hard, but couldn’t resist getting in a few more poisonous words before fleeing.

"Serena, stop deluding yourself! If you don’t believe me, go see for yourself—go to the Blackwood estate right now!"

"I don’t waste my time with crazy women like you. You’ll regret this day!"

I raised my hand again, and that was all it took. Ivy practically tripped over herself running away from my door.

After she left, I stood there breathing heavily, her venom still circulating through my system. The image of Sophie’s social media post burned in my brain. I slammed the door shut and paced my apartment, my mind racing chaotically.

The longer I thought about it, the more restless I became. Finally, I changed clothes and called a taxi to the Blackwood estate.

Since the divorce, I hadn’t been back once. When I first moved into that mansion, my heart was so full of hope—I genuinely believed it was the beginning of my happy ever after. Instead, each day had grown more suffocating until I couldn’t breathe anymore.

I stood at the entrance for several minutes before finally pressing the doorbell. The familiar butler greeted me with a respectful smile, his manner unchanged.

"Madam, you’ve finally returned."

I glanced past him into the house, my expression darkening instantly.

"Don’t call me that. Your future ’madam’ remains to be seen."

I stepped inside, and there she was—that flash of red I’d glimpsed earlier solidified into Sophie’s form. She turned toward me, raising her wine glass in mocking salute.

"Serena, what a rare visitor you are."

She was playing the perfect lady of the house.

I examined her dress—this season’s latest design.

"I’m so sorry, Serena," Sophie said with a poisonous smile. "I came over in such a hurry last night, I didn’t bring any clothes to change into. I just grabbed something from the closet. You’re generous enough not to mind, aren’t you?"

My heart lurched painfully. Last night? While I was sulking alone at home, Ryan had brought this snake back to our house?

"Serena, are you feeling alright? You look rather pale," Sophie asked with fake concern, her eyes dancing with challenge.

The butler rushed to steady me. "Madam, are you unwell?"

I snorted, refusing to let Sophie see me falter.

"It’s just a dress. Ryan himself is something I’ve used and discarded," I shot back. "If you’re so desperate to climb into his bed, why put on this innocent act?"

Sophie’s smile froze on her face. Being exposed in front of the staff clearly made her uncomfortable.

"Sophie, your little white lotus routine makes me sick every time I see it."

With that, I turned and walked away. The butler called after me, but I ignored him. From the corner of my eye, I saw the other servants lowering their heads, pretending they hadn’t witnessed the confrontation.

"Madam, there’s been a misunderstanding," the butler hurried to explain. "The master did bring her back last night, but she slept in the guest room."

I waved dismissively. "I don’t want to hear it. Whatever the misunderstanding, I don’t care anymore. Don’t tell Ryan I was here."

I climbed into a taxi and left, ignoring the butler’s attempts to stop me.

I headed straight to my studio, deciding to stay with Maya for a while. The moment I walked into her office, she took one look at me and exclaimed.

"What happened? Who’s upset you this time?"

My emotions had settled somewhat, but Maya could still read me like an open book.

Seeing my silence, she immediately put her hands on her hips.

"It’s Ryan, isn’t it? You’re too good to him, and he’s still making you upset! You’re pregnant, for God’s sake!"

I made a shushing gesture, feeling exasperated.

"Keep it down. This is the studio—do you want all the employees knowing about my personal life?"

Maya muttered an "oh" but remained agitated.

"What are you two fighting about this time?"

I didn’t want to discuss it. I could already predict her reaction if Sophie’s name came up—she’d probably blow the roof off the building in anger.

Under Julian’s attentive gaze, refusing felt almost unkind.

"Julian, I appreciate it, but it wouldn’t look right for either of us. Better not."

He looked disappointed but managed a smile.

"If you change your mind, just call me. I’m happy to help anytime."

I thanked him, and after he left, my friend leaned in with an exasperated sigh.

"Some people just don’t recognize a blessing when they see one. If I had someone that devoted waiting in the wings, I definitely wouldn’t be chasing after my ex."

I’d heard comments like this countless times before. Usually, I’d laugh them off, but this time, a complex ache rose in my chest.

"Alright, let’s head home. Do you need to grab anything from your place?" Maya asked, seeing my lack of response.

"No need."

"Fine, you can use my stuff then."

On the way back, Maya updated me on the studio’s recent business. Without my public presence, there had been a slight dip in profits and plenty of speculation.

"People are saying you’ve jumped ship to another design house, or that you’ve left the country."

"It’s all ridiculous. Don’t they understand what Dreamland Studio stands for?"

I touched my stomach gently. My absence from the public eye was deliberate—to avoid unnecessary complications. If someone decided to dig into my past maliciously, the fallout wouldn’t be worth it.

"Can you handle things?" I asked.

"Serena, I’m not that weak! I’m just telling you to be careful when you go out. Wear a hat and mask."

"What if some nosy people actually cornered you?" she added with concern.

"I’ll be careful," I promised.

"After these busy days pass, I’ll take you somewhere to clear your head. Men, ex-men, whoever—they can all go to hell!" Maya declared loudly.

I couldn’t help laughing at her outburst. Despite her rising success, Maya remained the same straightforward, loyal friend she’d always been.

As I smiled, a melancholic thought crossed my mind. Perhaps she was the only person in this world who truly cared about me for who I was.