CHAPTER 223: CHAPTER 223 WHEN HONESTY HURTS

Serena’s POV

I spotted Ethan through the glass walls of my office, looking completely lost. His shoulders were slumped in a way I’d never seen before—the usually poised Ethan Quinn looking like he’d just been hit by a truck.

I grabbed my water glass and walked over, keeping my voice low. "Ethan? How did it go?"

He shook his head, avoiding my eyes. "Serena, I have to go. Something came up."

"Wait, what happened with Maya?" I pressed, touching his arm lightly.

"I think I made things worse," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I tried to explain, but the words came out all wrong. She basically kicked me out."

I frowned. "What exactly did you say to her?"

"I tried telling her I was inexperienced with relationships, that I didn’t mean to lead her on... but before I could explain that I actually do enjoy spending time with her, she shut me down."

I sighed deeply. "Oh Ethan. That’s not what I meant when I said be honest. You made it sound like you were rejecting her."

"I know that now," he said miserably. "I’ve got to get back to the office. We’ll talk later."

As I watched him walk away, I couldn’t help but feel partly responsible. Maybe I shouldn’t have pushed him to talk to Maya so soon.

A designer approached with revised sketches, heading toward Maya’s office, but I intercepted them quickly.

"Let me take a look first," I said, guiding them back to my office instead. "Maya needs some space right now."

After reviewing the work and suggesting a few minor adjustments, I stretched and checked my phone. A headline immediately caught my attention:

【BREAKING: Blackwood Group’s Latest Project Fails—Multiple Ventures Under Second Major Shareholder Crumbling】

My eyes lit up as I scanned the article carefully. Kane was facing massive public backlash, and Blackwood Group was taking significant hits in the market.

Concern mixed with my satisfaction—I didn’t want Ryan’s company to suffer irreparable damage. I quickly dialed his number.

"How bad is it at the company?" I asked when he answered.

Ryan’s low chuckle surprised me. "So you’ve seen the news?"

"Yes," I confirmed. "Is this Lucian’s doing?"

"Every bit of it," Ryan said, his voice carrying a hint of admiration. "Kane’s only going to get what he deserves from here on out."

"What about the financial damage to the company?"

"Don’t worry. I’m making sure Kane bears full responsibility for the losses from his failed projects," he said confidently. "The board’s already agreed."

Relief washed over me. "Good. He needs to pay for what he did."

"Exactly. How’s your day going?" Ryan asked, his voice softening in that way that still made my heart flutter a little.

"Busy as usual. The Vergara collection is coming together nicely," I replied, settling into our conversation. We chatted for a few more minutes before saying goodbye.

I had just hung up when Maya appeared in my doorway, eyes red-rimmed, looking utterly miserable. She took in my smile—leftover from talking to Ryan—and her lips turned down in a wounded pout.

"Are you free tonight?" she asked. "I need a drinking buddy."

My smile faded. "Maya, drowning your sorrows won’t help. You need to—"

"Right, forgot you’re pregnant," she cut me off bitterly. "Fine. I’ll go to the club alone and drink myself stupid."

She spun to leave, and I jumped up from my desk. "Wait! You can’t go alone. That’s not safe."

"Then come with me," she challenged.

I hesitated, thinking of my promise to Ryan to take better care of myself and the baby.

"I won’t drink, obviously," I added quickly. "But I’m not letting you go alone."

Maya’s expression softened slightly. "I’ll head home to change first and text you the address. Don’t be late."

"I won’t," I promised.

After Maya left, I tried to finish up some work, but my mind kept drifting to what might have happened between her and Ethan. The evening light was fading when the office door opened, and Ryan walked in.

"Working late again?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe with that casual elegance that always made me stare a second too long.

I shook my head, gathering my things. "I’m actually heading out. Maya needs me tonight."

Ryan’s eyebrow arched. "What’s wrong with her?"

"Heart trouble," I said simply. "My brother happened."

Understanding dawned on his face. "Ah. And you’re going where exactly?"

"Some bar. She wants to drown her sorrows." I stood up, grabbing my purse. "I’ve asked Bob to come along in case she gets too drunk to handle."

Ryan’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Bob gets to go but I don’t?"

"Are you actually jealous of our security guard?" I couldn’t help but laugh. "Ryan, Maya’s heartbroken. Having my husband there while she vents about my brother would be awkward."

"I don’t like you going to bars in your condition," he said, his protective instinct showing.

"I’m pregnant, not made of glass," I reminded him. "And I won’t be drinking, obviously."

He stepped closer, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Promise you’ll call if anything happens?"

The tender gesture made my heart skip. "I promise. I won’t be late."

Ryan’s hand rested briefly on my still-flat stomach. "Both of you be careful."

"We will," I said softly, touched by his concern. As I headed for the door, he followed.

"At least let me drive you there."

I didn’t argue. Truth be told, I enjoyed these little moments with him—these small, normal husband-wife interactions we’d never had during our first marriage.

The bar Maya had chosen was called Nightshade, a three-story monstrosity with neon lights and a line stretching down the block. Ryan frowned when he saw it.

"Text me when you’re ready to leave. I’ll come get you, no matter what time," he said firmly.

I leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I’ll be fine. Go home and get some rest."

Inside, the music was deafening. I covered my ears, wincing as I made my way upstairs to the VIP section. Thank god Maya had connections—I couldn’t have handled the main floor for more than five minutes.

The private room was blessedly quieter, but my relief vanished when I saw the ridiculous amount of alcohol Maya had ordered. Bottles of wine, champagne, and harder liquors covered nearly every surface.

"Maya, this is excessive," I said, eyeing her worriedly.

She responded by grabbing a bottle of red wine and tilting it directly to her mouth. I lunged forward, snatching it away.

"Are you insane? You’ll pass out before we’ve been here an hour!"

Maya gave a bitter laugh, her eyes already glassy. "That’s the point, isn’t it?"

I sighed, moving the bottles out of her immediate reach. "Maya, please. You’re better than this."

Her face crumpled suddenly, tears welling up. "He told me he wasn’t interested in me, Serena! Your brother actually called a meeting to reject me!"

"What? That can’t be right," I said, confused. "Ethan told me—"

"Oh, he was very clear," Maya slurred, cutting me off. "Said he ’didn’t mean to give me the wrong impression’ and that he’s ’inexperienced with relationships.’ Like I’m some desperate woman throwing myself at him!"

I winced, realizing what had happened. Ethan had completely botched the conversation, saying all the wrong things before getting to his actual point.

"Maya, I think there’s been a misunderstanding—"

"No misunderstanding," she insisted, her voice rising. "He humiliated me. In my own office!"

Before I could respond, Maya grabbed an intercom device I hadn’t noticed on the couch.

"Send up your most attractive male models!" she shouted into it. "All of them! Money’s no object!"

I stared at her, bewildered. "This place has male models? What kind of bar is this?"

The answer came minutes later when the door swung open and several shirtless men in tight pants filed in, flexing and smiling in our direction. A manager type followed, bowing slightly to Maya.

"Miss Carter, these are our most requested entertainers. Will they be suitable?"

Maya squinted through her drunken haze, frowning slightly. I noticed her gaze fixating on one particular model whose dark hair and lean build did bear a passing resemblance to my brother.

"Keep them all!" she declared, waving her hand dramatically.

"Maya!" I hissed, mortified. "You can’t be serious."

She ignored me, pointing to the Ethan look-alike. "You. Come sit by me."

This was going to be a very long night.