CHAPTER 209: CHAPTER 209 SHADOWS OF OBSESSION

Serena’s POV

I rested my hands on my swollen belly as our collaboration meeting with Celestial Gems concluded. The partnership with Lucian’s company had progressed incredibly smoothly since Ryan and Lucian reached their unexpected understanding at Evelyn’s funeral. The tension that once filled the room whenever the three of us met had dissipated, making my work significantly easier.

"This collaboration is nearly complete, thanks to your tireless personal oversight," Lucian said with a genuine smile once we were alone.

I waved my hand dismissively. "It’s just my job. The partnership with Celestial Gems is Dreamland’s top priority right now."

"I still haven’t properly thanked you for handling that tabloid scandal," I added.

Lucian shook his head. "I was the one who invited those reporters in the first place. The misunderstanding was entirely my responsibility to fix."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, I gathered my things to leave, only to find Lance Draven waiting by the door, clearly wanting to speak with me alone.

"Mrs. Blackwood," he said, extending an elegantly designed invitation. "I’m hosting an art exhibition next week. Would you do me the honor of attending?"

I hesitated momentarily, surprised by the invitation, but took it politely. "Congratulations, Mr. Draven. I’ll definitely be there."

Lance nodded, looking genuinely pleased. "Wonderful. After the exhibition, I’d like to treat you to dinner. Our last conversation actually helped me breakthrough a creative block I’ve been struggling with. I’m truly grateful."

"Oh!" I was taken aback. "I only shared some random thoughts. You’re practically a legend in the art world—there’s no need for such modesty."

"I’ll be attending your exhibition as a student myself, ready to learn," I added sincerely.

Lance smiled warmly. "Between us, Serena, it’s been a very long time since I’ve met someone who truly connects with my artistic perspective."

"Many of my ideas go misunderstood. It can be quite lonely," he admitted.

I looked at him with surprise. "How is that possible? Your concepts have such depth—I’ve learned so much from our discussions."

We chatted a bit longer by the entrance before I finally got into my car and left, glancing in my rearview mirror to see Lance watching until I disappeared from view.

---

Back at the studio, with most projects winding down, I finally had some breathing room. Maya wasted no time seizing the opportunity to announce another trip to London to prepare for our future branch office.

We’d discussed expanding beyond New York several times. With our foothold in the American market now secure, it made sense to look toward international growth. Dreamland had accumulated sufficient funds and talent—we just needed the right timing, which we’d agreed would be after I gave birth. My current pregnancy made it impossible to juggle both New York operations and expansion plans simultaneously.

"When are you planning to leave?" I asked, settling into my office chair with a groan as my baby shifted positions.

"Day after tomorrow," Maya replied, her eyes sparkling. "I’ve already notified Ethan. He’ll be picking me up at the airport."

I blinked in surprise. "He’s personally picking you up? Have you two...?"

What exactly had I missed? In just days, Maya and Ethan’s relationship seemed to have progressed significantly.

Maya’s cheeks flushed adorably. "Don’t read too much into it. We’re just good friends right now."

"I’m visiting London—isn’t it natural for him to be a good host and pick me up?"

"Hmm," I made a noncommittal sound. The explanation sounded reasonable enough, but something about it felt off.

"Maya, haven’t you confessed your feelings yet?"

"Confess? I’m far too dignified to make the first move," she said, her face growing increasingly pink.

I decided to stop teasing her. We were grown women; these matters were best handled at one’s own pace.

"Well, I hope you come back having captured your prince charming," I said with a grin.

"Stop it!" Maya groaned, burying her face in her hands. "It’s not that simple. Ethan is... complicated."

"Complicated how?" I asked, suddenly curious. "He seems pretty straightforward to me—smart, successful, genuinely kind..."

"And ridiculously handsome," Maya added before catching herself. "I mean, objectively speaking."

I laughed. "Oh, objectively speaking, of course. Is that why you’ve packed seven different outfits for a three-day trip?"

Maya threw a decorative pillow at me, which I easily caught. "You’re impossible!"

"Seriously though," I said, sobering slightly. "What’s holding you back? I’ve seen how he looks at you."

Maya’s expression turned thoughtful. "It’s just... he’s very protective of his family. There’s something about the way he talks about his sister—the one who disappeared years ago. Like there’s still an open wound there."

A strange chill ran down my spine. "His sister?"

"Yes," Maya nodded. "He doesn’t talk about her much, but when he does... I can tell it haunts him."

"It’s strange," I murmured. "Whenever I’m around Ethan, I feel this... connection. Like I’ve known him forever."

Maya studied me carefully. "Serena... have you had any more memory flashes? Anything from before Ryan found you?"

I closed my eyes, trying to conjure something—anything—from that black void that was my past. Fragments sometimes came to me in dreams: laughter echoing in marble hallways, the scent of roses in a garden I couldn’t quite picture, a man’s voice calling a name I couldn’t make out.

"Nothing concrete," I sighed, opening my eyes. "Just feelings, sensations. Sometimes when I’m designing, my hands seem to know movements I don’t remember learning."

Maya reached across the desk to squeeze my hand. "Maybe it’s better this way. What if your past is painful?"

"Maybe," I agreed, though part of me desperately wanted to know who I had been. "But it feels wrong, walking around with this... emptiness inside me. Like I’m living someone else’s life."

"You’ve built this life, Serena," Maya said firmly. "Dreamland, your designs, your relationship with Ryan—all of that is genuinely you."

I smiled gratefully. "You’re right. And speaking of genuinely me—I’ve gotten distracted from my matchmaking duties! Tell me everything about you and Ethan. Does he make you laugh? Has he shown you his favorite spots in London?"

Maya’s blush returned with a vengeance. "He took me to this tiny bookshop last time—the kind with ladders to reach the highest shelves and a cat that roams between the stacks. We talked for hours over tea in the attached café."

"That sounds romantic," I teased.

"It wasn’t like that!" she protested weakly. "But... he did remember that I love Earl Grey with honey instead of sugar."

"Oh, he’s paying attention," I waggled my eyebrows suggestively.

We dissolved into giggles like schoolgirls rather than successful businesswomen. It felt good to laugh—to focus on something light and hopeful amid the lingering shadow of Kane’s threats and my complicated relationship with Ryan.

"Promise me you’ll call every day," I said as our laughter subsided. "I want updates on Operation British Gentleman."

"Only if you promise to take it easy while I’m gone," Maya countered. "And let Lucy handle the client meetings. Your doctor said to reduce stress, remember?"

"Yes, mom," I rolled my eyes playfully.

"I mean it," Maya’s tone turned serious. "The baby and you are more important than any business deal. And Ryan would kill me if anything happened to you while I was gone."

I placed both hands on my belly, feeling one of the baby kick in response. "We’ll be fine. Ryan’s been surprisingly attentive lately."

"Good," Maya nodded approvingly. "Maybe Kane’s threats have made him realize what really matters."

"Maybe," I agreed softly, though I wasn’t entirely convinced. Ryan was still Ryan—focused, driven, complex. His newfound attentiveness could disappear as quickly as it had emerged.

As Maya prepared to leave my office, I called after her. "Bring me back something scandalously British!"

"Like a corgi?" she quipped.

"Exactly like a corgi. Or Prince William. Either works."

We shared one last laugh before she disappeared down the hallway.